September in New York offers a perfect window for planting fruit seeds before winter sets in. The cooling soil temperatures create ideal conditions for certain seeds to stratify naturally over the coming months.
Growing fruits from seeds not only saves money but connects you to the amazing cycle of plant life right in your backyard.
1. Hardy Apples
Fall is prime time for apple seeds in New York. After enjoying local varieties, save those seeds! First, give them a cold treatment by placing them in damp paper towels inside a plastic bag in your refrigerator for about 6 weeks.
When planted in September, they’ll establish just enough before winter dormancy. While they won’t produce identical fruit to their parent tree, the resulting seedlings often develop remarkable cold hardiness perfectly suited to New York winters.
2. Pawpaw Paradise
North America’s forgotten fruit thrives surprisingly well in New York! Pawpaw seeds need to experience winter’s chill to germinate properly, making September the perfect planting time.
Extract seeds from ripe pawpaws and plant them an inch deep in well-draining soil. Leave them undisturbed through winter. Come spring, you’ll witness the emergence of this tropical-tasting native fruit that bears delicious custard-like flesh with mango-banana flavors.
3. Persimmon Potential
American persimmons are woodland treasures that grow beautifully from seed in New York. The bright orange fruits might pucker your mouth when unripe, but patience reveals their honey-sweet reward!
September planting allows the seeds to experience natural cold stratification. Simply clean the seeds from ripe fruit and plant them 2 inches deep. These native trees eventually produce loads of vitamin-rich fruits that wildlife and humans alike adore.
4. Mulberry Magic
Red mulberries grow wild throughout New York, producing bountiful berries that stain fingers purple. Growing your own from seed couldn’t be simpler!
Mash ripe berries in water, then separate and dry the tiny seeds before planting them just below the soil surface. Mulberry seedlings establish quickly and can fruit within 5-10 years. Their sweet berries arrive in early summer, attracting songbirds while providing plenty for jams and pies.
5. Cherry Challenges
Growing sour cherries from seed offers a rewarding challenge for New York gardeners. Their natural cold hardiness makes them perfect candidates for September planting.
Clean the pits from local cherries and plant them 2 inches deep without cracking them open. Nature will handle the rest! The resulting trees might not match their parents exactly, but they’ll likely produce tart cherries perfect for pies and preserves after about 4-7 years.
6. Elderberry Enthusiasm
Native elderberries practically grow themselves in New York’s climate. September offers the perfect opportunity to plant seeds collected from ripe berry clusters.
Remove seeds from the berries by mashing and rinsing them thoroughly. Plant immediately in moist soil and keep them watered until frost. These easy-growing shrubs provide beautiful spring flowers followed by nutritious berries loaded with immune-boosting compounds.
7. Plum Possibilities
Wild plums create delightful hedgerows and tasty fruits across New York state. September planting allows the seeds to experience winter’s necessary chill period naturally.
Clean the pits from local plums and plant them 3 inches deep. The resulting trees often produce excellent fruits within 3-5 years. While commercial varieties rarely grow true from seed, wild plum seedlings adapt specifically to your local growing conditions.
8. Grape Goodness
Wild grape seeds scattered throughout September establish surprisingly well in New York soil. Unlike commercial varieties, wild grape seedlings develop exceptional cold tolerance.
Extract seeds from fully ripened wild grapes and plant them half an inch deep. Keep the soil consistently moist until frost. While they take patience (4-5 years before fruiting), the resulting vines produce clusters of small, intensely flavored grapes perfect for juices and jellies.
9. Raspberry Rewards
Black raspberries grow abundantly throughout New York’s woodlands and adapt beautifully to garden settings. Growing them from seed creates plants perfectly matched to your local conditions.
Collect ripe berries, mash them in water, and separate the tiny seeds. Plant them immediately in September, barely covering with soil. The seedlings will emerge next spring, establishing themselves quickly. Within two years, you’ll enjoy harvests of these antioxidant-rich berries.
10. Blackberry Bounty
Wild blackberries thrive throughout New York, offering gardeners excellent seed sources. September planting allows seeds to experience natural cold stratification over winter.
Separate seeds from ripe berries by mashing and rinsing thoroughly. Plant immediately in prepared garden soil, just barely covering them. By spring, hardy seedlings will emerge. Though they take 2-3 years to fruit, these naturally adapted plants produce berries far more disease-resistant than store-bought varieties.