Imagine walking out to your garden and picking flavorful, fresh fruit whenever you want it. While some fruiting trees and plants can take years to establish, there are some fast-growing fruits you can plant right now that can be ready to harvest by the end of summer.
Note that some plants can take longer to fruit, and how fast they will produce depends on the climate and growing conditions. But with the right timing and proper care, you can have various fruits to snack on or even make delectable desserts and jams with.
Strawberries
One of the best fast-growing fruits to plant is strawberries. They can produce fruit the same year as planting, and they will yield more fruit once they are established. You can plant a strawberry patch in your yard, or grow them in containers and hanging baskets. Strawberry plants produce playful tiny white flowers that feature a yellow center before fruiting.
They should be planted about 12 to 18 inches apart in well-draining soil. You should keep the soil moist but avoid overwatering. Strawberries reach between 6 and 12 inches in height once they mature.
Light: Full sun
Fruit-Bearing Time: 60 to 90 days
USDA Zones: 3-9
Raspberries
If you are looking to enhance your edible garden, you should plant a raspberry bush this season. Raspberry bushes are considered fast-growing plants, but it can take 1 to 2 years before they begin bearing fruit. How fast they will fruit depends on the type you grow. For instance, fall-bearing varieties can produce fruit in the first year, while summer-bearing varieties produce fruit in the second year.
They have the potential to grow up to six feet tall, but you can also grow compact varieties in containers if you have limited space available. Raspberry bushes prefer rich well-draining soil that is slightly acidic and requires regular watering.
Light: Full Sun
Fruit-Bearing Time: 1 to 2 years, depending on the variety (Primocanes can produce fruit the same year they are planted)
USDA Zones: 3-8
Blackberries
Blackberries are perennial hardy plants which means they return every year. Primocane blackberries are a fast-growing variety that can produce fruit in the first year of planting. Blackberries flourish in well-draining soil and need regular watering especially during the growing period.
They can also be grown in large pots as long as they are in a sunny location. Trailing types of blackberries can be grown up trellises to add a whimsical touch to your garden.
Light: Full sun
Fruit-Bearing Time: 1-2 years, depending on variety (Primocanes can be produced in the same year)
USDA Zones: 5-9
Watermelon
There is just something about biting into a delicious juicy watermelon on a hot summer day, which is why you will want to plant this fast-growing fruit as soon as possible. “For best results, plant the seeds directly outdoors in warm soil, spacing them about 6 feet apart with rows also 6 feet apart,” says Rebecca Sears, CMO & Resident Green Thumb at Ferry-Morse.
Watermelons thrive in full sun and require regular watering. Sears recommends providing about 1 to 2 inches of water per week.
“Be sure the soil has good drainage and allow plenty of air circulation around the plants. You’ll know it’s time to harvest when the underside of the melon turns yellow and a gentle thump sounds hollow,” she informs.
Light: Full sun
Fruit-Bearing Time: 70 to 100 days
USDA Zones: 3-9
Honeydew
Honeydew is a nutritious melon that is packed with potassium and other essential vitamins. “This melon variety produces smooth, pale green fruits with a sweet and refreshing taste. It prefers full sun and needs consistent moisture, about 1 to 2 inches of water each week,” Sears says.
You can purchase plants and get them in the ground now to have fresh melon to harvest in 75 to 90 days. These plants prefer well-draining sandy loam soil.
Sears says if you want a head start you will need to plant seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost, then transplant them outdoors once the soil is warm and all danger of frost has passed. “Space the plants 2 to 3 feet apart in rows 5 to 6 feet apart to give them plenty of room to grow and thrive,” she informs.
Light: Full sun (Can tolerate partial shade in hot climates)
Fruit-Bearing Time: 75 to 90 days
USDA Zones: 4-11 (Will need to start seeds indoors for colder climates)
Cantaloupe
There are different varieties of cantaloupe and the typical time for them to reach maturity is between 70 to 100 days. Sears says cantaloupe grows best in full sun and needs regular watering—about 1 to 2 inches per week.
Similar to honeydew, cantaloupe thrives in well-drained, sandy loamy soil. Sears says you can jump-start the process by planting seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost or sowing them directly into warm soil.
“Space the plants 2 to 3 feet apart in rows 5 to 6 feet apart for optimal growth. If garden space is tight, consider using a trellis, a cage, or other support to help the vines grow upward,” she advises.
Light: Full sun
Fruit-Bearing Time: 80 to 90 days
USDA Zones: 5-11
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