Category: Tree Fruits

Pomegranates thrive in dry, mild Mediterranean climates but struggle in South Carolina’s heat and humidity. While the trees grow and flower well, fruit production is unreliable, often resulting in small, cracked fruit prone to fungal infections. Additionally, pomegranates are sensitive to cold and may not survive winters in the upper Piedmont region.

Plant and grow fig trees with advice on soil, watering, and pruning for a bountiful harvest.

Apple diseases, including fire blight, scab, and cedar-apple rust, severely impact production in South Carolina. While apple trees grow statewide, commercial orchards are confined to the Blue Ridge region, where cooler weather helps but does not eliminate the need for intensive disease management. Elsewhere, high disease pressure makes apple farming impractical, with most homegrown apples lost to disease.

Plum trees are not recommended for home gardeners, as they struggle with environmental factors and pest pressure, even under intensive care. The time and cost required for proper management often make backyard production impractical. While success is possible, these crops are generally best left to commercial growers.