Welcome to our 2024 Fruit Tree Program:
We’ve started our Urban Farm Fruit Tree Education Program for 2024. The way our program works is that we offer fruit tree education throughout the year with monthly fruit tree chats online and then in the fall we schedule our core fruit tree classes.
You can pre-order your fruit trees and keep offering information to help you get prepared. Then, just like with a pumpkin lot at Halloween, we open at the perfect time to plant.
Generally the nursery is only open for about 20 days per year in two “seasons” for you to pick up your pre-ordered fruit trees. However, we do have small item pickup the rest of the year, and we are here for you at fruittrees@urbanfarm.org Download our catalogs for details
STEP 1
LEARN
Let's get planting!
STEP 2
ORDER
All live plants and large items are for
local pick-up only - no shipping.
Online Ordering:
Citrus Limited Pre-ordering in Aug-Sept for September pick up.
Deciduous Pre-ordering open now until for January pick up.
STEP 3
PICK-UP
Let's get you loaded up!
Educational Videos MANY More Videos available in ROOT CAMP!!
Fruit Tree Blog & Podcasts
882: Creating Your Urban Farm – A Rosie Replay
In this episode of ‘Rosie on the House,’ hosted by Romey Romero, Farmer Greg is joined by Erin Erickson and her mother Elise Pitterle, who run a small urban farm in South Tempe called Tempe Garden Girls. Motivated by food scarcity during the COVID era, they expanded their gardening efforts into a full-fledged urban farm, growing various vegetables, flowers, and maintaining fruit trees and poultry. Greg & Romey chat about their journey, the challenges faced, and the learning process of adapting to Arizona’s unique climate. They also highlight the importance of community, educational outreach, and providing season-appropriate plant starts to help others succeed in urban farming. The episode underscores the critical role of local farmers in creating a sustainable and self-sufficient food system.
876: Wicking Garden Beds with Ray Jess
In this episode we explore the concept of wicking bed gardens, hosted by Romey Romero & Farmer Greg, our guest is Ray Jess, a Master Gardener and hard goods manager of the Urban Farm Fruit Tree Program Store. Ray explains his journey from traditional gardening, which he has practiced since childhood in Central California, to discovering wicking beds during his Master Gardener training. He details the construction and benefits of wicking beds, which water plants from the bottom up, saving 40-50% of water, reducing nutrient loss, and requiring less frequent watering. Ray also describes the materials needed for building a wicking bed, and the principles behind its operation, including capillary action, evaporation, and condensation. The episode also touches on the suitability of different plants for wicking beds, the importance of garden bed orientation, and the process of succession planting.
Protecting our fruit trees as the weather warms up and dries out
Before this idea of growing fruit trees in the new weather paradigm becomes overwhelming, let’s make a plan on how to take care of our trees. Below I have broken down what to do in an order that makes the most sense for our trees
869: Paige Mollen on Farm to School Programs- A Rosie Replay
A Rosie on the House Radio Show Replay. Paige Mollen from the Mollen Foundation discussing the Garfield Farm to School initiative. They discuss the importance of connecting children to their food sources through local food procurement, school gardens, and food education. The initiative includes various activities such as student-led farm stands, composting, and soil health education, all aiming to integrate food into learning and promote sustainable practices.
863: Farmer Greg on Starting Your Spring Garden – A Rosie Replay
A Rosie on the House Radio Show Replay. Farmer Greg and Romey discuss getting your garden started. They emphasize the importance of thoughtful garden placement to harness microclimates and proper sun exposure. Greg shares strategies for garden planning, utilizing different water sources like gray water and rainwater harvesting, and innovative solutions like raised beds and hydroponics. The episode also covers managing pests, chickens as a resource, and creating and maintaining healthy soil.
859: Holistic Gardening Insights with Janis Norton – A Rosie Replay
A Rosie on the House Radio Show Replay. In This Podcast: of Rosie on the House, Janis Norton the manager of all things Urban Farm, Romey Romero and Farmer Greg discuss holistic gardening and permaculture. They define holistic gardening as considering the entire ecosystem, including your yard and neighborhood. The conversation covers permaculture ethics—care for the earth, care for people, and care for the future—and practical tips like zoning and regenerative systems. They also introduce the Permaculture Design Course, emphasizing it as a deep dive into sustainable and interconnected gardening practices.
