One of the fruits that are becoming increasingly popular across the country is sweet pomegranate. There are some important things about pomegranate tree care you might not know. Lately, pomegranate seems to have taken off in the food world, with the fruit popping up in more and more recipes and popping up in the produce section of your grocery store. But as a gardener, have you ever wondered how to grow a pomegranate tree in your garden? Pomegranate trees are quite resistant to diseases and even pests, making them a lower maintenance option for gardens. Some trees are dwarf-sized, reaching about three feet in height, while others can grow between 20 and 30 feet in height. In the hottest climates, pomegranate trees can be evergreen and will attract hummingbirds for miles around. 
Where does the pomegranate like to grow? It is believed that the source of the pomegranate is Iran (then called Persia). It soon spread to the Mediterranean, the Middle East, India, parts of Africa, and drier parts of Asia. Pomegranate loves that it is hot and dry. Before you begin your adventure in pomegranate cultivation, you need to know what tree you are going to plant and the purpose of planting it. People who want to grow pomegranates for consumption or sale should not just buy a pomegranate tree without knowing the type first. There are three types to alert you. Nana The smallest of the pomegranate trees is the Nana tree. It reaches a height of just over 3 feet and is best suited to the highest cold growing areas. Although they produce small fruits, the quality of their intake is not considered very good. So if you want to grow and harvest edible pomegranates, you should choose a different type. Fabulous The amazing pomegranate tree is the most common type of pomegranate found throughout the country and is intended for harvesting. Monsters group makes up 95% of the consumer market for pomegranates in the United States, so if you've ever eaten a pomegranate, it was probably a great pomegranate that you enjoyed. 
The climate in which this tree grows best is generally temperate or very dry and hot. The pomegranate tree is amazing and bears fruit (a lot, actually), so if you want the pomegranate as a source of income or for personal consumption, this might be the tree for you. Sweet The sweet pomegranate tree bears fruit early in the season. This pomegranate is often sweeter than the exotic tree species. You can expect a successful harvest from these pomegranate trees, but their taste may not be what you expect if you are familiar with the standard, sharp flavor of pomegranate. But you need some patience... No matter which pomegranate tree you choose to plant, keep in mind that it will be at least two years before you harvest the first fruit. After planting a pomegranate tree for a year and not getting anything next season, do not despair. Sometimes it can take up to three years for the first pomegranate to form and ripen. Getting start Now that you've chosen a pomegranate tree variety, you'll want to carefully plan when and how to plant the new addition to your garden. When to plant Before planting a pomegranate tree, you need to make sure that the last frost has passed, especially for trees that are still really young. The soil around the tree should be loose enough that it can anchor the tree and its roots. If your soil is too compacted, take a hand or rake to the ground where you are planting the tree and split it up a bit. 
Either way, make sure the ground is loose and the temperature begins to rise. You don't want to surprise the pomegranate by putting it in the ground and forcing it to go through a sudden frost. This can leave your pomegranate tree vulnerable to diseases and pests. The shock can also stunt your trees' growth for several weeks, even if they can survive the shock of the weather. Clear your trees If you plan to plant several trees, you want at least 15-20 feet of distance between each tree, especially if reaping the fruit is the goal. If you have small ornamental plants that you use as borders, your spacing can be anywhere from six feet to nine feet. These trees need enough space to spread out above the ground, but the roots also need space under the soil so that each tree has its place. Sunlight is the best If you're not sure where to grow your pomegranate, choose an area of your lawn or garden that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight. This area can be partially shaded, but you don't want full shade because the pomegranate has sun and warmth. If you can keep them in place for longer than six hours, the pomegranate will do better. Watering new trees Once the pomegranate tree is planted, you need to ensure that it has enough water for the first two months. Keep in mind that these trees are generally very tolerant of droughts. 
Once they have matured and established their roots in the soil, they can show their strength when rainfall is little and far between. To prevent shock and give them the best start, constant watering is essential for these trees. Too much water can be dangerous Since these trees are highly drought tolerant, too much water can be dangerous, especially when the trees are young. If you had a lot of rain in the last week and the ground became saturated, you need to try to drain the water from around the trees. While pomegranate trees are generally disease resistant, excessively wet soil can lead to fungal infections, which can be dangerous to the pomegranate tree. 
Sweet Pomegranate Tree
Pomegranate tree care begins as soon as you plant your tree. There are several steps you should take weekly and even biweekly to encourage tree growth and a successful pomegranate harvest when the time is right. Weekly tree care As early as the first couple of months, you want to make sure your pomegranate trees are getting the right amount of water to keep them hydrated but without drowning them out in doing so. If you've planted your trees and experienced an unusual dry spell, you may want to water the wet trees twice a day. Make sure you water it at the base of the tree so you don't create the conditions for a fungal infection on the leaves. As the pomegranate trees begin to grow and form strong roots, you will want to plow the soil around the base of the plant once a week to keep the soil loose. You don't need to continue to do this after the first year, but while the tree is solidifying, it's a good idea to make sure the soil is well aerated. Tree care every two years Twice a year, you need to fertilize your soil to give the pomegranate trees the nutrients they need. While they can survive in poor soil, they will thrive in amended soil. By fertilizing the soil during these periods, you can replenish the nutrients that the pomegranate trees have absorbed as well as change the soil pH to make it more acidic for the trees. This is required until you get your first pomegranate harvest. Once fruiting has occurred during the growing season, you can re-fertilize once a year after the season is over and winter has begun to enter the field. 
Over time, using too much fertilizer can burn the pomegranate tree and its roots. As with water, plenty of fertilizer is a very good thing, and the fact that the crop is growing means less fertilizer is needed. Pruning The timing of pruning pomegranate trees depends on how well they grow. Once you've reduced your weekly watering maintenance, you should still go out and inspect your pomegranate tree once a week. Be sure to remove any lollipops immediately before they grow too large. If not pruned properly, your tree will begin to change shape. If you want to encourage increased production when the time comes, trim back a few branches. This allows the tree to focus on fruit and growth. As always, if you see any diseased or dying branches on the tree, remove them before the infection spreads and the tree suffers serious damage. Reduce pests and diseases Although it is no secret that the pomegranate tree is very tough when it comes to diseases and pests, there are times when it gets the best out of the tree due to current conditions. Stressed trees are the most susceptible to injury, so keeping your pomegranate tree healthy is the best defense against diseases and pests. Watch out for common pests such as scales, mealybugs, whiteflies, and pomegranate butterflies that take advantage of shrubs and trees that haven't been pruned properly. They eat diseased branches and then move into trees, causing havoc. When there is a lot of water, you can expect diseases such as downy mildew and fruit spots caused by fungal infections. 
Consider using an organic fungicide and insecticide on your pomegranate trees weekly to prevent any of them from taking over and destroying the trees you worked so hard to plant. Enjoying the fruits of your labor: harvest time Now that the first two growing seasons have come and gone, it's year three, and you're starting to see baby pomegranates sprouting on the branches. Make sure to stay on top of preventive pomegranate tree care to keep insects and fungi away. There are several signs to look for when it is time to harvest the pomegranate. the color size It seems The first thing you notice in the pomegranate is that the color has become darker and deeper. It doesn't look shiny or shiny, but the color is so deep that it looks a little flat and one tone. If you think that the color has changed, then you need to pay close attention to the shape of the fruit. A ripe pomegranate will be elongated and look like hexagons with angles rather than being completely round. Finally, you want to tap your finger on the pomegranate and see if it bounces. It will look a little or a little metallic. If the pomegranate meets all these criteria, then it's time to harvest the fruits. 
Carefully remove the fruit When you start harvesting pomegranate fruits, you cannot tear them from the tree - this can damage the tree and the fruit. Alternatively, use pruning shears and cut the stem near the fruit. pomegranate storage The pomegranate will remain perfectly healthy for 1-3 weeks at room temperature without damage. When the pomegranate is cooled, it will last longer - about two months. If the pomegranate splits, it will not last and should be used immediately. Pomegranate juice and plants can be frozen for up to a year. Common uses of pomegranate in cooking After waiting patiently for the pomegranate harvest to arrive, you may be wondering, "How am I going to eat all this fruit?" Pomegranate is a versatile fruit with all kinds of culinary uses. Popular here are salads (both in aryl form and in vinegar salad), smoothies, and smoothies. But pomegranates can also be made into drinks like tea or lemonade, used in desserts, used in baking, and they hold a place in savory dishes as well. If you live in the appropriate planting area, we hope this guide has been helpful in providing you with what you need to know to grow a pomegranate tree in your garden. By taking steps to give your tree the right start, you will ensure that it is healthy enough to fight off diseases and pests. Providing your tree with proper care will result in a bountiful harvest of pomegranate that you can enjoy all winter long.