How to Grow a Pomegranate Tree in Your Garden?
Originating in the Middle East, pomegranates are associated with warm climates, but some varieties are cold-tolerant. This sweet, delicious fruit is rich in antioxidants, making it a perfect addition to any table. Gardeners worldwide are discovering that they can grow these juicy fruits themselves so that you can do the same.
The pomegranate tree was also known as the Carthaginian Apple since the Romans mistook it for a kind of apple. Still, the pomegranate trees are closer to berries, as the ruby pearls inside the hard rind contain both seed and juice. Compared to other kinds of fruit trees, pomegranates are relatively low maintenance and easier to grow. It would be best if you still had the right conditions, naturally, so let’s point them out.
Warm Temperatures and Full Sun
Though pomegranate trees may be able to handle temperatures as low as -15 degrees Celsius, they will naturally do in hotter climates. The best temperature range you can go for with pomegranates is between 23–32 degrees, and they should ideally be in this range for about four months every year. They also do well in higher temperatures, even in places like Saudi Arabia’s heat, where temperatures may go up to 48 degrees Celsius.
You should also make sure your pomegranate tree sees enough sun every day. This means six to eight hours of uninterrupted sunlight, as any less than this means the tree’s limbs will be too weak and spindly, affecting fruit production.
Give Enough Room to Grow
It would be best if you remembered to pick the right pomegranate tree for your space and give it space to grow. In their natural habitat, pomegranate trees can grow up to 4–6 metres in height and needs about the same amount of space around them to thrive. You don’t need to worry about having a large garden to accommodate them, as there are dwarf varieties that grow up to just a metre tall and plenty of options in between. Some gardeners even use pomegranate trees as a hedge.
How to Grow a Pomegranate Tree from Seed
Most people buy grafted pomegranate trees for their gardens, which guarantees they will have the variety they want. When you grow them from seed, the pomegranate trees may turn out different from the plant you’re going for. That means you won’t always know their size, growing needs or fruit production capabilities before you plant them.
Regardless, you can still grow a pomegranate seed into a beautiful tree that gives fruit, but you may need to wait a bit before you reap the benefits, as it may even and up in a variety you didn’t expect. The best thing about pomegranate seeds is that they’re straightforward to save since every fruit contains many of them that you can spit out after eating and save up for your new gardening efforts. Leave the seeds out for a few hours, but don’t let them dry out completely, then do the following:
- Fill a few small pots with a 2:1 mix of sand and compost.
- Sow one seed per pot, about 5–6mm into the mix
- Water each pot lightly, moistening the soil, but avoid soaking it.
- Place the pots somewhere warm, or use a heated propagator for ideal conditions. Pomegranates need a consistent temperature between 23–30 degrees Celsius to germinate.
It will take about six weeks for the pomegranate seeds to germinate, so once yours sprout, remember to put them somewhere sunny. When they reach a height of about 7–8 centimetres, they will be ready for their final location, be it a pot or planting in the ground.
