Growing Fruit in Grow Bags: A How-To Guide for Backyard and Urban Gardeners

Growing fruit in fabric grow bags is a popular trend among backyard gardeners and urban growers. If you have limited space, but still want to enjoy delicious homegrown fruits, stay put. 

This article focuses on practical growing solutions for small-space and container gardening. We’ll help you decide: 

• How to choose the right size bag 

• What fruits grow best in bags 

• Best soil type for successful fruit production 

• Which exciting and unique variety to grow

Whether you’re growing for home use or selling to a chef for cocktails and desserts, no big yard is required! Growing fruit in grow bags provides practical solutions for urban growers with limited space. You can get stellar fruit production on a patio, balcony, or in a small yard.

Why Grow Fruit in Grow Bags?

Benefits for Urban and Small-Space Gardeners

If growing in-ground isn’t an option, fabric grow bags are the solution. Reasons you may be unable to grow in the native soil: 

1. Poor soil quality 

2. The landlord won’t allow it 

3. Bad drainage 

4. Limited or no yard space 

5. Short season in cold growing zones 

Benefits of growing in bags include:

• Controlling the soil conditions

• Easily move small bags inside when it’s cold or into better sunlight 

• No altering the landscape 

• Quick to start! 

• Better drainage than most pots

Learn how to customize your potting soil here. Create full landscapes in 100-gallon and 200-gallon bags.

Best Fruits to Grow in Grow Bags

Fruit Varieties That Actually Work

Once you decide to grow fruit in bags, you might have trouble deciding what types and varieties to choose. We bet you didn’t know you can grow Meyer lemons in containers! 

Dwarf/Miniature Fruit Trees

Here are some of the best fruit trees for patios. 

• Meyer lemon: ‘Improved Meyer’ is self-pollinating and highly disease-resistant. The plant will remain short and bushy in a container. 

• Start lemon trees in a 7-gallon pot. A mature tree will be comfortable in a 10-25-gallon bag.
  

• Fig: Avoid using native soil in containers, as figs like extremely well-draining soil. Add worm castings, compost, or perlite to your potting mix, or use a soilless mix for best results. ‘Chicago Hardy’ and ‘Little Miss Figgy’ are highly productive and perform exceptionally well in containers. 

• Figs have strong root systems and are known to break through pots and containers. Minimize stress and up-pot as needed. Mature figs perform best in 10-25-gallon bags.
  

• Dwarf peach: Select a hybrid tree bred for small spaces and patios. Popular choices include ‘Pixie’ and ‘Bonanza’. Self-pollinating cultivars won’t require a second tree for fruit production. Prune annually. 

• Plant dwarf peaches in bags of 10-25 gallons. 

• Dwarf apple: Many nurseries offer dwarf or semi-dwarf versions of American classics like ‘Fuji,’ ‘Cortland,’ and ‘Honeycrisp.’ 

• Start with one tree in a 10-15-gallon bag. Up-pot mature plants to a 25-50 gallon bag.

Ensure your plants receive at least 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. 

Berries

• Blueberries: ‘Top Hat’ is a compact variety perfect for patios. ‘Sunshine Blue’ is a low-growing, highbush variety suitable for warm-climate growers. Adjust the soil to a pH of 4.5-5.5, or use a container blend for acid-loving plants. 

• One plant per 25-gallon bag or larger, with a minimum depth of 24 inches.
  

• Raspberries: Choose ever-bearing- or fall-bearing varieties like ‘Polana’ or ‘Joan J’ for great flavor. They’ll need support stakes and pruning. Cut them down at the end of each season after fruiting stops. 

• One plant per 25+-gallon bag
  

• Strawberries: Select everbearing varieties for easier management. They produce fewer runners and two nice harvests. Choose alpine or compact varieties. ‘Ozark Beauty’ is a productive, thornless variety that performs well in containers.  

• One plant for every 7-10 gallons, at least 8 inches deep. 

Provide full sun for berries. Refer to the information for your specific cultivar regarding root space requirements. 

Tropical/Uncommon

• Pineapple: ‘Sugar Loaf’ is a compact sweetie, perfect for urban fruit growing. Or, start your own with a grocery store pineapple. Cut the top off and remove all but 7-10 leaves. Place the remaining stalk into a jar of water. Roots will appear. When a shoot sprouts, place the stalk into a 5-inch pot after peeling back all remaining foliage. Step it up as it grows. 

• Pineapple plants don’t need as much space as you might think! Start them in a seven to 10-gallon bag. If you propagated your own, start with a 2-gallon bag.
  

• Guava: ‘Tropical White’ and ‘Barbie Pink’ perform well in containers. Avoid overwatering. 

• Choose a deep bag, as large as a 200-gallon bag, as guavas have an expansive root system.
  

• Calamondin: These are naturally compact, so choose any variety. Use slightly acidic soil and use citrus fertilizer in spring or summer to boost growth. 

• Start with a 15-gallon bag, and work up to 25 gallons.
  

• Kumquat: ‘Nagami’ and ‘Centennial Variegated’ are both semi-dwarf options that don’t skimp on flavor. 

• One plant per 25-gallon bag with very well-draining soil. Place the root ball near the top of the soil line. 

Grow Bag Setup for Fruit Production

Choosing the Right Bag Size & Material

Here are a few ways to use various-sized grow bags:

2-5-gallon bags: One strawberry plant or a newly propagated pineapple

7-10-gallon bag: New saplings or young dwarf fruit trees

25-gallon bag: Tropical trees, raspberries, blueberries, mature figs

50-gallon bag: Apple tree

100-gallon bag: Treat this as you would a raised bed. Fill it with shallow-rooted head lettuce, direct-sown radishes, carrots, beets, and more. 

200-gallon bag: Two plum or peach trees, several self-pollinating trees, or more of what you can fit in a 100-gallon bag

Potting Soil and Drainage

Select a potting mix specifically designed for growing fruit trees and berries. Mix in compost each fall and add vermiculite or coco coir in the spring when you fertilize.

Drainage is critical to prevent roots from drowning and to allow proper air-pruning. When combined with well-draining soil, it’s hard to overwater plants in grow bags. 

Proper Placement

Provide 6-8 hours of sunlight per day for optimal fruit production. If sunlight accessibility changes throughout the season, move the bags. This may be a bit more challenging in balcony gardening. 

Care and Maintenance for Healthy Fruit Plants

Watering & Fertilizing

How often you water depends on a few factors:

• The size of the bag

• The plant’s age 

• Time of season 

• Growth stage

• Plant type

The soil should remain damp, but never waterlogged. Roots can quickly rot if they can’t breathe, and disease can spread. Adjust your watering schedule based on rainfall amounts and the weather. Use a container watering system to ensure all plants receive adequate water.

Look for fertilizer intended for fruiting plants and container growing. The roots can’t venture out into the soil in search of nutrients, so they depend on you for food. Container plants may require more frequent feedings than those in the ground. 

• Start with the proper soil blend. 

• Soil test mid-season.

• Topdress with a slow-release, balanced fertilizer or a more specific product based on your soil test results.

• Note any signs of nutrient deficiencies, such as yellow leaves, weak branches, or a lack of fruit production. 

Proper nutrient levels help fruit trees thrive. The three crucial forms of nutrients your fruit trees need are: 

Nitrogen (N): crucial during vegetative growth
Phosphorus (P): Key for root development, fruit production, and longevity.
Potassium (K): Increases resiliency and enhances fruit quality. 

Supporting Growth

Support your fruit trees as they grow by: 

• Staking to support weight

• Trellising to allow them to reach their height potential

• Prune during dormancy each year to remove dead wood and spindly branches. This promotes healthy air flow and space for fruit. 

Even dwarf varieties need staking to support the weight of their fruit. Check out our complete line of plant supports and accessories here. 

Managing Challenges

Root binding can become an issue if your bag isn’t large enough for the root system. Prevent this by sizing up as your plant matures. Up-potting will also alleviate stress, which decreases disease and pest vulnerability. 

Winter protection may include winter wraps or heavy-duty bags to shield plants from the cold. You can also use frost blankets or move them indoors until spring.

Advanced Tips to Maximize Yields

Training and Space-Saving Techniques

According to the Oregon State University, the espalier training method takes time and dedication. Train the tree along horizontal wires or a wall, removing all other growth. It’s a beautiful way to bring the fruit to eye level, saving space and making it easier to pick. 

The columnar method stakes a main leader and removes suckers and shoots. Summer pinching ensures good airflow, pollination, and fruit set. Both of these training techniques help small-space growers successfully grow fruit. 

Variety Selection

Avoid large trees, and instead, focus on dwarf or patio varieties. These will be easier to manage while providing high fruit production. 

For large landscape areas, try these combinations: 

• Mixed stone fruits like nectarines, plums, peaches, and apricots

• Berries with similar needs, like black, red, and golden raspberries 

• June-bearing strawberries that produce lots of runners

• Apple varieties that require other apple trees for pollination 

Mobility Hacks

Don’t avoid large grow bags because they seem immovable. Use a rolling platform or dolly, along with some helping hands, to transport large grow bags to a garage, barn, or a more protected area of your property. This same technique works when your bags require more sunlight or shade. 

Grow Bag Fruit Gardening in Action

Growing fruit in grow bags is an excellent way to expand your offerings for chefs and bartenders. You’ll get top dollar for locally grown, unique fruits like kumquats and Meyer lemons, especially in northern climates. 

Partners’ Gardens in New Hampshire supplies a local high-end inn with raspberries for upscale desserts, as well as local bartenders who muddle them into summer mocktails. They grow a highly productive fall-bearing variety that provides a small harvest in late spring, and a long-lasting, massive harvest in late summer and fall.

FAQs For Growing Fruit Trees in Grow Bags 

What size grow bag is best for a fruit tree?

Select a bag size between 15 and 50 gallons based on the fruit tree type and its root system depth. 

Can I grow citrus fruit in containers in cold climates?

Yes, you can grow citrus trees in cold climates. Bring the bag indoors for the winter, or store dormant trees in a barn or shed when frost arrives. 

Do grow bags last more than one season?

Grow bags are designed to last multiple seasons. With proper care, cleaning, and storage, they can last up to 8 years. When left outdoors year-round, they may last 3 to 5 years. 

How often should I water fruit grown in fabric bags?

Since water drains out the bottom, it’s hard to overwater grow bags. However, you can underwater. Water daily or every other day. Monitor soil moisture during drought conditions and on sunny days, and water more as needed. Mix coconut coir into your soil to help it retain moisture. 

What soil mix is best for container fruit?

Fruit trees prefer loamy, well-draining soil. Make your own to save money. Avoid using garden soil alone. If your soil is heavy in clay, read Top 10 Best Fruit Trees for Clay Soil. 

Will fruit production be lower than in-ground planting?

In-ground roots may travel up to nine feet in search of water and nutrients. Without proper care and fertilization, fruit production in grow bags may decrease. However, if you provide enough space, fertilizer, water, and sunlight, your fruit trees will thrive. 

Do I need to repot or root-prune every year?

As plants mature, repot and root-prune every 2 to 3 years. This will allow them to continue growing, reduce stress, and maintain adequate nutrient levels. Trees in grow bags only need to be potted up into larger bags every 5 years or so if they are in smaller bags. Those in large bags will self prune roots through air pruning. 

What’s the best way to protect grow bag fruit plants in winter?

Move bags to a protected area on your property, such as a barn or shed. Wrap the bags with winter insulation material, or fill them with straw to protect the roots.  You can move cold-sensitive plants indoors and store them in a semi-heated basement or root cellar.