October brings cooler weather to California, making it the perfect time to start growing fruit trees from seeds. While many people think spring is the only planting season, fall offers unique advantages for seed germination. You can grow delicious fruits right in your backyard by starting seeds this month, giving your plants a head start before spring arrives.
1. Avocado
Starting an avocado tree from a pit is easier than you might think. Simply clean the seed, stick toothpicks around its middle, and suspend it over water with the bottom half submerged.
Within weeks, you’ll see roots emerging from the base. California’s mild climate is ideal for avocados, especially in coastal and southern regions.
Once the stem reaches six inches, plant it in soil and watch your tree grow over the coming years.
2. Lemon
Fresh lemon seeds sprout beautifully when planted in October’s cooler temperatures. Extract seeds from organic lemons, rinse them clean, and plant them about half an inch deep in moist potting soil.
Keep the soil consistently damp but not waterlogged. Lemon trees thrive throughout California, producing fragrant blossoms and tangy fruit.
Your seedlings will need patience though—it takes several years before they bear fruit, but the journey is rewarding.
3. Apple
Did you know apple seeds need a cold period before they’ll sprout? This process, called stratification, mimics winter conditions.
Place seeds in damp paper towels inside a plastic bag, then refrigerate for six to eight weeks. October is perfect timing because you can plant them after stratification ends.
Northern California’s climate suits apples wonderfully, producing crisp, juicy fruit. Remember, seeds may not grow the exact same variety as the parent apple.
4. Pomegranate
Pomegranates are surprisingly simple to grow from seed and love California’s warm, dry climate. Remove seeds from the fruit, clean off the juicy arils, and plant them about half an inch deep.
They germinate quickly in well-draining soil with plenty of sunlight. Southern California gardeners have particular success with these drought-tolerant trees.
Expect to wait three to five years for fruit, but the beautiful flowers alone make growing worthwhile.
5. Peach
With a heart for California’s Central Valley climate, peach trees grow magnificently from pits. After enjoying a ripe peach, clean the pit thoroughly and let it dry for a few days.
Crack the hard shell carefully to reveal the seed inside, which speeds up germination. Plant it two inches deep in loose, fertile soil.
October planting allows the seed to establish roots during fall and winter before spring growth begins.
6. Orange
California’s famous citrus industry proves oranges thrive here, and you can join in by planting seeds this October. Extract seeds from fresh, juicy oranges and plant them immediately while they’re still moist.
Bury them about an inch deep in well-draining potting mix. Orange trees prefer warmer regions like Southern California but adapt to various microclimates.
Your seedling will eventually produce fragrant white blossoms before developing sweet fruit in several years.
7. Fig
Figs have been cultivated for thousands of years, and their tiny seeds hold incredible potential. Scoop seeds from a ripe fig, rinse gently, and spread them across moist seed-starting mix.
Press them lightly into the surface without burying them completely. California’s Mediterranean-like climate mirrors the fig’s native habitat perfectly.
These trees are remarkably hardy and forgiving, making them excellent choices for beginning gardeners seeking sweet, nutritious fruit.
8. Apricot
Apricot trees flourish in California’s warm valleys and produce delicate blossoms each spring. Save the pit from a delicious apricot, clean it well, and crack the hard outer shell.
The almond-shaped seed inside needs cool, moist conditions to germinate. Plant it about two inches deep in quality soil.
October’s mild weather gives your seed time to develop strong roots before winter. Patience pays off with golden, sweet fruit in future summers.