Beginner's Guide to Fruit Trees: What to Plant First (and Get Fruit FAST!)

If you're thinking about planting fruit trees, right now is the best time to plant fruit trees — especially if you live in a warm region like Southern California, Northern California, Las Vegas, or Arizona. The long growing seasons, abundant sunshine, and mild winters in these areas create ideal conditions for tree fruits to thrive and produce abundantly year after year.

Even better? Many of our large 24" box fruit trees at PlantClearance.com are already loaded with fruit — meaning you can plant today and start enjoying your own backyard harvest this summer, not years from now.

Why Our 24" Box Fruit Trees Are the Best Choice

When it comes to getting tree fruits fast, size and maturity matter. Our premium 24" box fruit trees are not your average nursery seedlings — they are large, established trees already producing fruit when they arrive at your door. Knowing when to plant fruit trees gives you a head start, and our mature trees make that head start even bigger.

• Already producing fruit — many trees arrive loaded with fruit right on the branches

• Mature and well-established — strong root systems, full canopy, and proven resilience

• Save 2–4 years of waiting — skip the slow seedling stage entirely

• Stronger and more resilient — better equipped to handle heat, wind, and transplant stress

• Higher survival rate — larger root mass means faster establishment after planting

• More impressive curb appeal — instant visual impact in your garden or backyard

Limited availability — these trees sell fast while loaded with fruit!

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Best Fruit Trees to Start With (Easy + High Yield)

Wondering what fruits grow on trees and which ones are easiest to grow at home? Below are the top tree fruits for warm climates — chosen for fast growth, reliable yields, and ease of care. The best time to plant fruit trees in warm regions is before peak summer heat, so roots can establish in workable soil. Every variety here thrives in Southern California, Northern California, Las Vegas, and Arizona.

Avocado Trees

Avocado trees are one of the most rewarding tree fruits you can grow in a warm climate — evergreen, long-producing, and delivering rich, creamy fruit with minimal care. When fertilizing fruit trees like avocados, apply a balanced citrus and avocado fertilizer in early spring and again mid-summer to support steady growth and consistent fruiting.

• Thrives in warm climates across California, Las Vegas, and Arizona

• Evergreen — provides year-round shade and beauty

• Popular varieties include Hass, Fuerte, and Reed

• Best planted in full sun with well-draining soil

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Apple Trees

Apple trees are among the most popular tree fruits grown across warm California regions. Many low-chill varieties perform beautifully in Southern California and other warm regions. The best time to plant fruit trees like apples in warm climates is late winter to early spring. When fertilizing fruit trees like apples, use a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer in early spring just before new growth begins.

• Reliable and adaptable across a wide range of climates

• Low-chill varieties thrive in Southern California and desert regions

• Self-fruitful options available — no second tree required

• Fresh homegrown apples are crisp, flavorful, and pesticide-free

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Apricot Trees

Apricot trees produce some of the earliest tree fruits of the season — sweet, sun-warmed harvests in late spring before most other trees. Knowing when to plant fruit trees like apricots is key: late winter while still dormant gives roots a strong head start. Fertilizing fruit trees like apricots with a nitrogen-rich formula in early spring encourages lush growth and a heavier fruit set.

• Sweet, early-ripening fruit — one of the first harvests of the season

• Excellent for warm climates with adequate winter chill hours

• Beautiful spring blossoms — as ornamental as they are productive

• Great for eating fresh, drying, or making jams and preserves

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Peach Trees

Peach trees are among the fastest-growing and highest-yielding tree fruits for warm-climate gardeners. The best time to plant fruit trees like peaches is early spring so they can establish before summer heat. Fertilizing fruit trees like peaches with a balanced fertilizer once new growth appears — and again in midsummer — keeps them productive and healthy through the season.

• Fast-growing and high yield — one of the quickest tree fruits to produce

• Perfect for summer harvest in California and desert-adjacent areas

• Varieties include Elberta, Desert Gold, and Tropic Snow

• Full sun and consistent deep watering are the keys to a heavy harvest

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Plum Trees

Plum trees deliver some of the heaviest crops of tree fruits you will find in any warm-climate backyard. They come in a wide range of varieties — from sweet Japanese plums to tart European types. When fertilizing fruit trees like plums, apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer after harvest to support root development without pushing excessive leafy growth late in the season.

• Beautiful ornamental blooms in spring, followed by heavy summer crops

• Wide variety selection — sweet, tart, red, purple, and yellow types

• Productive and reliable once established in the right climate

• Thrives with full sun and well-draining soil

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Pomegranate Trees

Among all tree fruits, pomegranates are exceptional for heat and drought tolerance. They produce stunning jewel-red fruit packed with antioxidants and require far less water than most other tree fruits. When fertilizing fruit trees like pomegranates, a light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring is all that is needed — over-fertilizing can actually reduce fruit production.

• Heat-tolerant and drought-resistant — perfect for Arizona and Las Vegas

• Rich in antioxidants — one of the healthiest tree fruits you can grow at home

• Once established, requires less water than most fruit trees

• Deep, infrequent watering trains stronger, deeper roots

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Persimmon Trees

Persimmon trees are a hidden gem among tree fruits — uniquely flavored, visually stunning in fall, and remarkably low-maintenance. The best time to plant fruit trees like persimmons is late winter or early spring. When fertilizing fruit trees like persimmons, keep feeding light — a small dose of balanced fertilizer in early spring is enough to support healthy growth without triggering excessive vegetative shoots.

• Unique, rich flavor that no other tree fruit can replicate

• Exceptionally low maintenance once established

• Both Fuyu and Hachiya varieties thrive in California and desert climates

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Why Tree Fruits Thrive in California, Nevada & Arizona

The best time to plant fruit trees in these regions is before peak summer heat — typically late winter through early spring — so roots can establish in cooler, workable soil. These regions offer everything tree fruits need to succeed:

• Long growing seasons — more sunshine hours mean more energy for tree fruit development and ripening

• Mild winters — warm-climate varieties produce reliably year after year with little to no chill hours

• Abundant full sun — fruit trees need 6–8 hours minimum, and these regions deliver consistently

• Ideal fruiting conditions — warm days and cooler nights concentrate sugars and develop flavor

• Year-round planting opportunities — unlike colder climates, you can establish tree fruits across a longer window

• Diverse microclimate options — from coastal valleys to desert foothills, there is a perfect tree fruit for every yard

How to Plant Fruit Trees Successfully

Knowing when to plant fruit trees is just the first step. Follow these simple steps for the best results:

1. Choose the right spot — full sun (6–8 hours daily), away from reflected heat walls in desert areas

2. Dig wide, not deep — 2–3x wider than the root ball, no deeper than the original soil line

3. Plant at the correct depth — root crown at or slightly above surrounding soil to prevent rot

4. Backfill with native soil — avoid over-amending, which can trap roots in a soft pocket

5. Water deeply at planting — soak the entire root zone to eliminate air pockets

6. Mulch the surface — 3–4 inches in a wide ring, kept away from the trunk

7. Set up drip irrigation — consistent deep watering for the first 6–12 weeks is critical

8. Begin fertilizing fruit trees only after new growth appears — feeding too early stresses the tree

9. Thin heavy fruit loads — remove some fruit if your tree arrives heavily loaded to prevent branch stress

Don't Miss This — Trees Are Loaded With Fruit Right Now

This is the best time of year to buy. Right now at PlantClearance.com:

• Trees are already producing fruit — see exactly what fruits grow on trees before you buy

• Inventory is at seasonal peak — the widest selection of tree fruits is available now

• Selection drops fast — fruit-loaded trees are our most popular and sell out quickly

• Trees planted now will be fully established before peak summer heat

Start Your Backyard Orchard Today

The path from "thinking about it" to "picking tree fruits from your own backyard" is shorter than most people think — especially when you start with a large, mature 24" box tree from PlantClearance.com.

We serve customers across California, Las Vegas, and Arizona with premium, nursery-grown tree fruits ready to thrive from the moment they hit your soil. All it takes is one strong, sunny spot, solid drainage, and consistent watering and fertilizing fruit trees during that critical first season — and you will be well on your way to a backyard orchard that produces for years, even decades, to come.

Shop Now Before They Sell Out

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How long does it take for a newly planted fruit tree to bear fruit?

Most standard nursery fruit trees take 3–5 years to produce a meaningful harvest. However, a mature 24" box tree that is already fruiting at the time of purchase can deliver fruit in its very first season — often within weeks of planting.

Q2: Do I need more than one fruit tree for pollination?

It depends on the variety. Most peach, apricot, and persimmon trees are self-fruitful and produce well on their own. Apples and plums, however, often benefit from a compatible pollination partner planted nearby for maximum fruit set. Always check the variety tag or product listing before purchasing.

Q3: How much water does a fruit tree actually need once established?

Once fully established (typically after 1–2 years), most fruit trees in warm climates need deep watering every 7–14 days during the growing season. The key is deep and infrequent — this encourages roots to grow downward and makes trees far more drought-tolerant over time.

Q5: What is the difference between a low-chill and a standard fruit tree variety?

Chill hours refer to the number of hours per winter that temperatures stay between 32°F and 45°F. Standard varieties need 800–1,200 chill hours to break dormancy and bloom properly. Low-chill varieties have been bred to fruit reliably with only 100–400 chill hours — making them ideal for Southern California, Las Vegas, and Arizona where winters are mild.

Q6: Is it normal for a newly planted fruit tree to drop some leaves or fruit?

Yes, this is completely normal. Transplant stress can cause a newly planted tree to shed leaves or drop some fruit as it redirects energy toward root establishment. This typically resolves within 4–6 weeks. Keeping the root zone consistently moist and avoiding heavy fertilizing during this window helps the tree recover quickly.

Q7: What pests and diseases should I watch for on backyard fruit trees?

The most common issues in warm California and desert climates include aphids, scale insects, peach leaf curl, and fire blight on apples and pears. A dormant oil spray applied in late winter before bud break prevents most insect infestations. For fungal issues, good airflow around the canopy and avoiding overhead watering are the most effective preventive measures — no harsh chemicals required.