Pomegranates are an exotic and delicious fruit that can add a unique flavor to any dish. While pomegranates are typically grown in arid regions of the world, they can also thrive in Central Florida’s subtropical climate.
Selecting the right variety is essential. The most popular pomegranate variety is the Wonderful, which is the sweetest and most prolific of all pomegranates and is grown extensively in California. The Wonderful variety is late maturing, so it may not be the best choice for those who want to grow pomegranates at home. The variety ‘Salavatski’ bears at an early age and show good cold tolerance, making it a good choice for Central Florida.
Planting pomegranates in the right location in the landscape is also important. Pomegranates thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, so make sure to choose a location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. The soil should be enriched with organic matter, such as compost or manure, to provide the pomegranate tree with the nutrients it needs and to hold moisture.
Pomegranates require regular watering when there isn’t significant rainfall. During the growing season, the tree should be watered once a week. However, during prolonged periods of drought, the tree may require more frequent watering. It is essential to ensure that the soil is moist, but not waterlogged.
Proper pruning is necessary to ensure the tree’s health and productivity. Prune the tree annually to remove any dead or diseased wood and shape the tree to encourage fruit production. Pomegranates can be allowed to grow as a large shrub or trained to be a single trunk small tree.
Finally, pomegranates require a certain amount of care and attention to grow successfully. Pests and diseases can be a problem, so make sure to monitor the tree regularly for any signs of damage or infestation. Additionally, fertilize the tree regularly with a balanced fertilizer to ensure healthy growth and fruit production.
Learn how to grow these tropical fruits from University of Florida Extension in Hernando County and take home 3 ‘Salavatski’ pomegranate plants at our next Growing Groceries Workshop. The workshop will be given live on Zoom at 10:00am on April 18 and you can pick up your plants from our office or the Master Gardener Nursery during their Earth Day celebration on Saturday April 22. If you miss the live version of the class don’t worry, it will be recorded and everyone who registers will receive the link. There is a $20.00 charge for the class and attendance is limited to the first 42 people, but it’s simple:
• Register today on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/growing-groceries-healthy-pomegranates-in-central-florida-tickets-590436319927
• We will send you a link to the live workshop on Zoom before April 18.
• Tune in to the live workshop with all your questions on the 18th.
• If you can’t attend live, we’ll send you the link to the recording by the end of the day- watch as many times as you want.
• Stop by the Hernando County Master Gardener Nursery on Saturday April 22 between 8:00am and noon to pick up your 3 pomegranate plants and to help us celebrate Earth Day! The nursery is located at 19490 Oliver St., Brooksville, FL 34601
The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact William Lester (wlester@ufl.edu or 352-754-4433) at least 2 weeks in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.
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