Blackberry: Rubus spp
Blackberry roots are perennial but the canes are biennial: they grow one year and bloom and fruit the next. Place canes on top of horizontal fencing, 4' off the ground, supported by T-shaped fence posts. When pruning, do not touch first-year canes. After harvest, cut canes that bore fruit to the ground. For the best berries, the plants need heavy mulching, good drainage, and 3' deep, rich, sandy or loamy soil. Avoid planting in soil where nightshade family members (tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, eggplant, datura, petunia) have grown. Protect from wind and afternoon sun. Mulch well, roots are shallow. To avoid cold chill injury in the winter, lay the canes of trailing types on the ground, cover with a thick layer of mulch.
'Rosborough,' 'Womack' and 'Brison' varieties, hardy in USDA zones 7-9, are said to produce the greatest yields in Arizona.

Grape: Vitaceae
Most grapes do well in USDA zones 5-9. They require water only every two weeks once established. Plant on a slope and avoid low-lying areas where freezing air will settle. See Western Garden Book for grape vine training information.

Kiwi (Hardy): Actinidiaceae arguta
Fast-growing, twining kiwi vines require a trellis or arbor for support. Fruit is borne on year-old or older wood. During dormant season, cut out shoots that have fruited for three years. Kiwi vines need regular applications of nitrogen fertilizer and are sensitive to salt burn in alkaline soils. Kiwi vines require moist, well-drained soil. Most Argunta varieties grow within USDA zones 5-9.

Passion Vine: Passiflora
Passion vines are grown for their very showy flowers. The variety 'Incense' produces fruit with a fragrant, tasty pulp, but not enough pulp to make it more than a curiosity. It is root hardy to USDA zone 7b. Commercially edible passion fruit, Passiflora edulis 'Frederick', is restricted to USDA zones 10-11.

Raspberry: Rubus spp
Raspberries grow best in regions with mild winters and cool summers.

Blueberry: Vaccinium
Blueberries need continually moist, well-drained, very acidic soil. Consider planting in very large containers with sides protected from the sun and holes in the bottom for drainage. Afternoon shade is recommended. Rabbiteye and Southern Highbush varieties can often be grown in USDA zones 6b-9.

Currant and Gooseberry: Grossulariaceae
Gooseberries grow best in regions with humid, cool summers and prolonged winter chill. Most currants need climate zones 3-8a. The 'Tseme' black currant is said to grow in USDA zones 4-9 and could be suitable for Oracle. Currents need well-drained, fertile soil, acidic to neutral.

Pineapple Guava: Feijoa sellowiana
Grows slowly 12' to 15' high and 8' to 10' wide if not pruned back. While some varieties are self-pollinating, others do better with cross-pollination from another variety. Avoid reflected sun. Needs afternoon shade in hottest months and protection from wind chill in winter. Somewhat drought tolerant once established; water weekly when fruiting. Hardy to USDA zone 8b. Can be grown as a hedge or small tree. Very decorative. Evergreen.

Strawberry: Fragaria X ananassa
This small perennial shrub requires raised beds, acidic soil, mulching, consistent moisture during bearing season and careful removal of excess plants to avoid crowding. Low salinity soil and water are required. Plants spread by runners. June-bearing varieties set one main crop in late spring or early summer. Everbearing varieties continue to bloom and fruit early summer through fall. Protect from birds.

Strawberry Guava: Psidium cattleianum
This plant is hardy to USDA zone 10 and is frost-tender.

Click here for a list of the most successful fruit-bearing trees in Oracle

Almond: Prunus dulcis
Trees bear best where summers are long, hot and dry. Needs well-drained soil. Water every two weeks. Varieties 'All-in-One' and 'Garden Prince' (USDA zones 6-10) are self-pollinating, genetic dwarfs considered better for home gardens. They grow 12'-14' high and as wide.

Apple: Malus domestica
Tree size depends upon rootstock. Standard trees can grow to 20' high and 20' to 25' wide.
Apple varieties must be chosen both for Oracle's climate zones and for chill hours required. Less than 500 chill hours is preferred. Those needing more chill hours than our winter provides will not set fruit. Some varieties may need a specific pollenizer variety which must also be suited to our climate.
'Granny Smith' and 'Gala' are self-pollinating and grow well in USDA zones 5-8. 'Fuji' (USDA zones 6-9) and 'Ein Shemer' (USDA zones 7-9) should do well anywhere in Oracle. 'Anna' (USDA zones 5-9) should do well but needs 'Ein Shemer' as a pollinator.

*Apricot: Prunus armeniaca
Grows 15' to 20' high and as wide. Many varieties are early bloomers and will not set fruit in years with late frosts. 'Tilton' (USDA zones 5-9) is said to be most resistant to late frost.

Avocado: Persea
Avocados need winter temperatures no lower than 25-30°F; some varieties are best kept above 30°F. Most varieties grow in USDA zones 9b-11.

Cherry: Prunus
Most cherries need up to 1200 hours below 45°F (chill hours) to bear fruit. The varieties 'Minnie Royal' (400 chill hours), grafted to a 'Mazzard' rootstock, and 'Royal Lee' (250 chill hours) grow in USDA zones 7-10 and pollinate each other.

Citrus: Grapefruit, Kumquat, Lemon, Lime, Orange, Tangerine
Most citrus varieties purchased in local grocery stores are frost-tender. Tangerine and kumquat are the most cold-hardy citrus but do not withstand temperatures below 22°F. Varieties that withstand lower temperatures do not produce good-tasting fruit and are considered ornamental. Breeding a variety that is cold-hardy and good-tasting would be an interesting challenge.

Elderberry: Sambucus mexicana
A moderate to fast-grower from 10' to 30' tall and 8' to 20' wide. This Oracle native is easy to spot blooming in the spring and fall. It grows in USDA zones 5-10. Yellow-white flowers in clusters produce blue to blue-black berries used in jams, jellies and pies. Water weekly when bearing fruit. Attracts birds. A hummingbird nesting site. Loses leaves July or August and regains them in September. Moderate watering can postpone summer leaf loss. Unattractive without leaves. Deciduous. Full sun to part shade.

Fig (Edible): Ficus carica
Most figs grow in USDA zones 7-9. In areas with strong winter winds, figs are best grown as shrubs under 6' high and placed by a southern wall to minimize frost damage. The spring crop may be killed by frost; the fall crop is the primary harvest. Young fig trees are not drought tolerant and should be watered at least twice a week during the growing season. Wilting leaves are a signal to irrigate.
Critters find fig roots very tasty. If burrowing animals are a problem, grow in very large wire baskets or containers.
'Blue Celeste', the most cold hardy fig (USDA zones 6-9), has a closed eye on its blossom end for better insect protection. One 'Mission' fig tree (USDA zones 8-11), grown in Oracle, has been naturally pruned short and wide by frost.

Jujube: Ziziphus Jujuba
Slow to moderate grower 15' to 30' high and 10' to 15' wide. Deep-rooted and somewhat drought tolerant. Needs good drainage. Recommended USDA zones are 6-10. Does better in improved soil and can tolerate alkalinity. Suckering can be a problem in very moist soils.
'Lang' is later ripening and more upright in growth than 'Li', but both are needed to pollinate each other. Fruits resemble large dates, ripen in fall.

*Loquat: Eriobotrya japonica
Grows 15' to 30' tall and as wide in full sun but narrower in shade. Used mostly for ornamental value. Only a few grafted varieties are considered producers of good quality fruit. Grows in USDA zones 8-11. Ask your nursery which variety will do best in your location.

Mango: Anacardiaceae
Mangos are hardy to 30-35°F (USDA climate zone 10a).

*Nectarine: Prunus persica and *Peach: Prunus persica
Require good drainage, regular fertilizing and more pruning than other fruit trees. There are varieties of nectarines and peaches for many climate types. One low chill, self-pollinating variety of nectarine hardy to USDA zone 8 is 'Snow Queen' (250 chill hours). When selecting trees, check for self-pollinating varieties so only one tree will be needed. Also check bloom month; early bloomers may lose fruit to late frost.

Papaya: Caricaceae
Papayas need winter temperatures no lower than 30-35°F (USDA climate zone 10a).

Pear (Asian): Pyrus pyrifolia
Grow 25' to 30' tall and about half as wide. Can be kept to half-size with pruning. Choose low chill varieties. Most Asian pears grow in USDA zones 5-9. Check varieties for being self-pollinating. Do not plant pears near apple trees, roses, pyracantha or Bermuda grass.

Pear (European): Pyrus communis
European pears need at least 600 hours of winter chill and may not reliably bloom. They can grow 30' to 40' tall and half as wide. Most European pears grow in zones 4-9. Check varieties for fireblight resistance and being self-pollinating. Do not plant pears near apple trees, roses, pyracantha or Bermuda grass.

Persimmon: Diospyros
Persimmons do best in USDA zones 6-10. Height depends upon species. Non-astringent varieties are apple-crisp when ripe. Astringent types need to ripen to be very soft before they become sweet rather than bitter. They tolerate many soil types but must have good drainage. Inconsistent watering and over fertilization cause fruit drop. These trees are often grown for their ornamental value.

Pine Nut (Pinyon): Pinus edulis
Slow grower to 20' high and 16' wide. Hardy USDA to zone 4a. Most drought-resistant of all Arizona native pines. Cones produce edible nuts sold commercially as pine nuts. Evergreen. Full sun.

Pistachio: Pistacia vera
Grows 25' to 30' high and as wide. Hardy to USDA zone 8a. Needs 500 chill hours (50% bloom) to 1000 chill hours (100% bloom). Summer temperatures above 100°F are ideal. Requires one to four 'Kerman' cultivars to bear nuts and one 'Peters' cultivar (upwind) to provide pollen. Often grown for flowers in spring and red leaves in fall. Fruiting starts 4 - 5 years after transplant. When established, deep soak once every two weeks during warm weather.

*Plum (Japanese): Prunus salicina
Grows 15' to 20' high and somewhat wider but can be kept pruned to 10' X 10'. Best in USDA zones 6-10. Choose a low-chill variety appropriate for your climate. Some varieties are self-pollinating.

*Plumcot, Pluot, Aprium: Prunus domestica X armeniaca
These are hybrids between plums and apricots and have characteristics similar to both.

Pomegranate: Punica granatum
Most drought-resistant of all fruit trees. Most pomegranate varieties are suitable for USDA zones 8-10. Once established, needs little or no care. Regular water required for good fruit production.

Quince: Cydonia oblonga
A slow grower 10' to 25' high and as wide. USDA climate zone range 4-9. Bears fruit when no late frost. Needs good drainage. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers and remove any suckers from around the base of the tree.

Walnut: Juglans Regia
A fast grower when young to 60' tall and as wide. USDA climate zone range 7-9. Requires deep soil; mature trees need no supplemental water except for nut production. Self-pollinating, but two trees produce a better crop. Bears nuts in five to seven years. Not considered a good landscape tree because it is bare much of year, has messy drip and fruit drop, and size requires a multi-acre yard. Tree trunk must be 60' from a house.