Q&A – Can organic apples and peaches be grown in Tennessee?
Question:
Can organic apples and peaches be grown in Tennessee?
Answer:
Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison says you can grow organic fruit in Tennessee, but you need to accept a blemished harvest. Peaches will have worms from plum curculio and brown rot will completely rot the fruit if you don’t eat it quickly. You will probably find more success with apples. Apples have worms too but apple rots are not as fast at rendering the entire fruit inedible. Some organic sprays may be able to slow down the bugs and diseases. Most organic fruits are grown in drier climates where diseases especially rots are not as big of a problem.
Related Resources:
Growing Organic Fruit
A Grower’s Guide to Organic Apples
Can organic apples and peaches be grown in Tennessee?
Answer:
Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison says you can grow organic fruit in Tennessee, but you need to accept a blemished harvest. Peaches will have worms from plum curculio and brown rot will completely rot the fruit if you don’t eat it quickly. You will probably find more success with apples. Apples have worms too but apple rots are not as fast at rendering the entire fruit inedible. Some organic sprays may be able to slow down the bugs and diseases. Most organic fruits are grown in drier climates where diseases especially rots are not as big of a problem.
Related Resources:
Growing Organic Fruit
A Grower’s Guide to Organic Apples