October is the perfect time for New Jersey gardeners to start planting fruit from seed. With a little patience, you can grow tasty, homegrown fruits next season.
I’ve gathered thirteen options that are worth your time. Get ready to watch your New Jersey garden flourish from tiny seeds into big rewards.
1. Apple Seeds
Apples grow wonderfully throughout New Jersey, and October is actually an ideal time to start them from seed. You’ll need to cold-stratify the seeds first by keeping them moist in the refrigerator for about six weeks.
Once planted outdoors, these seeds will naturally go through winter dormancy. New Jersey’s climate provides exactly what apple seeds need to germinate successfully in spring.
Remember that trees grown from seed may produce different apples than the parent fruit, which makes the process exciting!
2. Pear Seeds
Growing pears from seed requires patience, but the reward is absolutely worth it. Similar to apples, pear seeds benefit from cold stratification, making October planting in New Jersey particularly smart.
The natural winter cold helps break seed dormancy effectively. Plant them about an inch deep in well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter mixed in.
Your pear seedlings will emerge in spring, and within a few years, you’ll have beautiful trees that could produce delicious fruit for decades!
3. Strawberry Seeds
Strawberries are surprisingly easy to grow from seed when started in October across New Jersey. These tiny seeds need light to germinate, so barely cover them with soil after planting.
Fall planting gives strawberry plants time to establish strong root systems before winter arrives. Mulch them well to protect against harsh freezing temperatures.
By next summer, you’ll be picking sweet, juicy berries right from your own backyard. Kids especially love watching these plants grow and produce fruit!
4. Raspberry Seeds
Did you know raspberries can successfully grow from seeds planted in October? Extract seeds from ripe raspberries and plant them in containers or directly in your New Jersey garden.
These seeds naturally need cold exposure to germinate properly, making fall planting perfect timing. Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged throughout the winter months.
Raspberry plants are hardy and adapt well to New Jersey’s climate. They’ll reward you with abundant harvests for many years once established!
5. Blueberry Seeds
Blueberries thrive in New Jersey’s naturally acidic soil, making them perfect candidates for October seed planting. Fresh seeds from ripe blueberries work best when planted immediately after extraction.
Mix peat moss into your soil to increase acidity levels, which blueberries absolutely love. Plant seeds shallow and keep them moist through winter.
These plants take several years to produce fruit, but the wait is worthwhile. Nothing beats fresh blueberries picked on a sunny summer morning from your own bushes!
6. Cherry Seeds
Cherry trees can absolutely grow from seeds planted during October in New Jersey gardens. Clean the flesh completely off cherry pits before planting them about two inches deep.
The cold winter months provide natural stratification that cherry seeds require for successful germination. New Jersey’s climate zone is actually ideal for many cherry varieties.
Sour cherries tend to grow more reliably from seed than sweet varieties. Either way, you’ll eventually have beautiful blossoms and potentially delicious fruit to enjoy!
7. Peach Pits
Peach trees grown from pits planted in October can flourish beautifully across New Jersey. Clean the pit thoroughly and let it dry for a few days before planting outdoors.
The natural cold stratification during winter prepares the pit for spring germination. Plant it about three inches deep in loose, well-draining soil with good sun exposure.
New Jersey’s growing season is long enough for peaches to ripen properly. Your homegrown peaches will taste incredibly sweet and juicy compared to store-bought ones!
8. Plum Pits
Plum trees adapt wonderfully to New Jersey’s climate and can easily start from pits planted this October. Remove all fruit flesh and plant the pit about two inches deep in rich soil.
Winter’s natural cold breaks down the hard outer shell, allowing the seed inside to germinate come springtime. Plum trees are relatively fast-growing compared to other fruit trees.
Within just a few years, you could be harvesting delicious plums perfect for eating fresh or making homemade jam. The beautiful spring blossoms are an added bonus!