Missouri State-Mountain Grove > Commercial Fruit Growers > Ozarks Fruit Review
Ozarks Fruit Review
Why Grow Fruit?
by Patrick Byers, Fruit Grower Advisor
MOUNTAIN GROVE--Why grow your own fruit? Having fresh fruit on the table and enhancing the homesite are enticing ideas that prompt many people to consider growing fruit for their own use. Growing fruit can be a rewarding hobby if it is understood that a certain amount of work and dedication are required.
In general, home grown fruit harvested at the peak of quality is much better than fruit harvested at a distant growing area and shipped hundred of miles. Another consideration is variety. A limited group of fruit cultivars dominates the produce section at the supermarket. The apple lover, for instance, who can purchase only 5 or 6 cultivars (good though they may be) at the grocery store is missing out on the unique flavors of hundreds of other cultivars. If you want to enjoy the "out of the ordinary", grow it yourself!
Home fruit production enables the fruit grower to control inputs into the production of fruit. Organic home fruit growers, for instance, know exactly how the fruit was produced. Enthusiasts can also grow little known fruits that are not available otherwise. How often do you see paw paws or persimmons in the produce section at your local grocery store?
While it is difficult to calculate the monetary value of fruit produced at home, some savings over the price at the grocery store can be expected. This is especially true if excess fruit is canned, frozen, or dried. With a small investment in equipment, the home fruit grower can produce fruit leathers, juices and wines, jellies and jams, and many other delicious products from home grown fruit.
Fruits and vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet. Fruit is a good, low calorie source of vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates. In addition, fruits contain materials that may lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of coronary disease, certain cancers, and urinary tract infections. The home fruit grower is "harvesting health"!
Finally, for many people fruit growing has value beyond the value of the harvested product. A home fruit garden can be a restful and relaxing place to "unwind" after a hectic day at the office. Fruit plants can be an attractive part of the home landscape. Home fruit production is a good way to teach young people where our food comes from. Many of us value the connection that fruit production gives to the earth, the sun, and the natural world. Home fruit production is good for the soul as well as the body.
With this column I bring to a close over 18 years of writing the “Ozarks Fruit Review.” I’m assuming a new position with University of Missouri Extension soon, and look forward to the adventures and challenges that this job will bring. I’ve enjoyed immensely the contacts that I’ve had over the years with the readers of this column. For further information on home fruit production, please contact Patrick Byers, Fruit Grower Advisor, Missouri State Fruit Experiment Station, 9740 Red Spring Road, Mountain Grove, MO 65711; telephone 417-547-7500; or email plbyers@missouristate.edu. Visit our website at http://mtngrv.missouristate.edu