September in Nevada brings cooler temperatures, making it perfect for planting certain fruits before winter sets in. With our state’s unique desert climate, knowing which fruits thrive when planted in early fall can make a huge difference in next year’s harvest.
Grab your gardening tools and get ready to make the most of this prime planting time!
1. Hardy Kiwi
Smaller than regular kiwis but packed with more flavor! Hardy kiwi vines adapt beautifully to Nevada’s climate when planted in September.
Plant them against a south-facing wall for extra warmth and protection. Unlike their fuzzy cousins, these smooth-skinned fruits ripen faster and can withstand temperatures down to -25°F.
Males and females must be planted together for successful pollination, so grab at least one of each for your garden.
2. Strawberry Starts
Fall-planted strawberries develop stronger root systems before winter dormancy. When spring arrives, these established plants burst into productive growth months ahead of spring plantings.
Choose day-neutral varieties like ‘Seascape’ or ‘Albion’ for Nevada gardens. They’ll reward you with multiple harvests throughout the growing season instead of just one big flush.
Cover new plants with straw mulch once temperatures consistently drop below freezing to protect them through winter.
3. Jujube Trees
Known as Chinese dates, jujubes thrive in Nevada’s hot, dry climate. Their drought tolerance makes them perfect for our desert conditions.
September planting gives roots time to establish before winter while the soil remains warm. The fruits taste like apples when fresh and develop a date-like flavor when dried.
Most varieties are self-pollinating, so you’ll get fruit with just one tree, though having two different varieties increases your harvest significantly.
4. Alpine Strawberries
Tiny treasures that pack an intense wild strawberry flavor! Unlike their larger cousins, alpine strawberries grow wonderfully from seed sown in September.
Scatter seeds in partially shaded areas of your Nevada garden. The cooler fall temperatures help with germination, and the young plants will establish before winter dormancy.
No runners means these compact plants stay where you put them, making them perfect for borders or container gardens on patios.
5. Honeyberry Bushes
Resembling elongated blueberries, honeyberries offer a sweet-tart flavor that’s ready to harvest weeks before other berries. September planting in Nevada gives these hardy bushes a head start on spring growth.
Native to colder regions, they laugh at Nevada’s winter temperatures while still handling our summer heat reasonably well when given afternoon shade.
Always plant at least two different varieties for cross-pollination, spacing them about 4-5 feet apart for best results.
6. Pomegranate Saplings
Pomegranates practically beg to be grown in Nevada! Their desert heritage makes them perfectly suited to our hot summers and relatively mild winters.
September planting allows young trees to establish roots before winter dormancy. Look for varieties like ‘Wonderful’ or ‘Utah Sweet’ that perform exceptionally well in our climate zone.
Place them in a sunny, protected spot and water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root growth for drought resilience.
7. Fig Cuttings
Got a friend with a productive fig tree? September is perfect for planting 8-10 inch cuttings taken from dormant branches.
Simply push cuttings halfway into well-draining soil and water sparingly until established. ‘Black Mission’ and ‘Brown Turkey’ varieties handle Nevada’s climate particularly well.
Figs grown from fall cuttings develop stronger root systems than spring-planted ones, giving you a head start on fruit production by nearly a full season.
8. Gooseberry Bushes
Spiky branches loaded with tart-sweet berries make gooseberries worth the occasional prick! September planting in Nevada gives these understated fruits time to settle in before winter.
Choose a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade to prevent summer scorching. Unlike many fruits, gooseberries actually produce well in partial shade conditions.
Add plenty of compost to your planting hole and mulch heavily to keep roots cool during next summer’s heat.
9. Elderberry Plants
Native elderberries bring both beauty and bounty to Nevada gardens. Their umbrella-shaped flower clusters transform into dark purple berries perfect for jams and immune-boosting syrups.
September planting allows roots to develop before winter sets in. Look for varieties adapted to heat like ‘Adams’ or native subspecies for best results in our climate.
Plant near a water source or where they’ll receive regular irrigation, as elderberries prefer moister conditions than many desert plants.
10. Goji Berry Vines
Super-fruits that love our Nevada sunshine! Goji berries grow as sprawling shrubs or can be trained as vines against a trellis or fence.
September planting gives these adaptable plants time to establish before winter dormancy. Their bright red berries aren’t just nutritional powerhouses – they’re also surprisingly drought-tolerant once established.
Expect young plants to take 2-3 years before producing significant harvests, but they’ll reward your patience with decades of nutritious berries.
11. Autumn Olive Shrubs
Silver-speckled red berries dot these drought-resistant shrubs by their second year. Despite the name, autumn olives aren’t actually olives but produce tart-sweet berries perfect for preserves.
Plant them in September to give roots time to establish before Nevada’s winter. Their nitrogen-fixing ability improves poor soil conditions, making them excellent pioneer plants for challenging sites.
Just check local regulations before planting, as they can be considered invasive in some areas due to their vigorous growth.
12. Mulberry Trees
Fruitful shade trees that thrive in Nevada’s heat! September planting gives young mulberry trees time to establish roots before winter dormancy.
Choose fruitless varieties if planting near patios or driveways to avoid purple stains. Otherwise, embrace the bounty of sweet berries that birds and humans alike will compete for each summer.
Mulberries grow surprisingly fast, often providing significant shade within just 3-4 years of planting in Nevada’s climate.