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Gulf South fruit tree answers
Straight answers to the questions we hear most over the fence, built from LSU AgCenter, Texas A&M AgriLife, UF/IFAS, Clemson and other extension publications. Every answer cites its source.
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What are chill hours and why do they matter down here?
Chill hours are winter hours at or below about 45°F. Peaches, plums, pears, apples and blueberries need a set number before they'll bloom and fruit right. Extension estimates put Gulf South winters anywhere from about 200 chill hours on the coast to about 1200 in the coldest northern spots, so many popular northern varieties never get enough. Look up your zip.
Sources: Mississippi State Extension · Texas A&M AgriLife · LSU AgCenter
What are the lowest-chill peaches for the Gulf South?
From our extension sources, the lowest-chill peaches we track are UFSun (100), UFBest (100), Eva's Pride (100–200), UFBeauty (150–200) chill hours. Match one to your zip's chill estimate. All peaches.
Sources: UF/IFAS · Texas A&M AgriLife
What are the lowest-chill apples for the Gulf South?
From our extension sources, the lowest-chill apples we track are Dorsett Golden (100), Anna (200), Ein Shemer (450), Beni Shogun Fuji (500) chill hours. Match one to your zip's chill estimate. All apples.
Sources: UF/IFAS · Texas A&M AgriLife
What are the lowest-chill plums for the Gulf South?
From our extension sources, the lowest-chill plums we track are Gulf Ruby (150–250), Methley (250), Gulf Beauty (250), Gulf Blaze (250) chill hours. Match one to your zip's chill estimate. All plums.
Sources: Texas A&M AgriLife · journals.flvc.org
What are the lowest-chill pears for the Gulf South?
From our extension sources, the lowest-chill pears we track are Flordahome (150), Kieffer (200–400), Baldwin (250), Leconte (250–300) chill hours. Match one to your zip's chill estimate. All pears.
Sources: Texas A&M AgriLife · growables.org
What are the lowest-chill nectarines for the Gulf South?
From our extension sources, the lowest-chill nectarines we track are Sunbest (225), Sunraycer (250–275), UFRoyal (250), UFQueen (250) chill hours. Match one to your zip's chill estimate. All nectarines.
Sources: UF/IFAS · Texas A&M AgriLife
What are the lowest-chill rabbiteye blueberries for the Gulf South?
From our extension sources, the lowest-chill rabbiteye blueberries we track are Brightwell (400), Climax (450), Alapaha (450–500), Vernon (450–550) chill hours. Match one to your zip's chill estimate. All rabbiteye blueberries.
Sources: Clemson Extension
Which figs does LSU AgCenter recommend for Louisiana?
LSU AgCenter's Louisiana Home Orchard (Pub. 1884) lists LSU Purple, LSU Gold, Celeste, O'Rourke, Champagne, Southeastern Brown Turkey among others. Figs aren't rated by chill hours; cold-hardiness matters more.
Sources: LSU AgCenter
Which citrus does LSU AgCenter recommend for Louisiana?
LSU AgCenter's Louisiana Home Orchard (Pub. 1884) lists Satsuma 'Armstrong Early', Satsuma 'Owari', Satsuma 'Louisiana Early', Satsuma 'Kimbrough', Satsuma 'Early St. Anne', Satsuma 'Brown Select' among others. Citrus has no chill requirement; freeze risk is the limit.
Sources: LSU AgCenter
Do muscadines need a pollinator?
Female muscadine types need a self-fertile vine nearby, per LSU AgCenter. Self-fertile vines we track include Farrer, Carlos, Cowart, Nesbit, Granny Val, Tara, Ison.
Sources: Texas A&M AgriLife
Do rabbiteye blueberries need two varieties?
Yes. Plant two or more rabbiteye varieties together so they cross-pollinate, per Clemson Extension.
Sources: Clemson Extension
When should I plant fruit trees in the Gulf South?
Fall and winter. LSU AgCenter says fall is the time to plant fruit trees in Louisiana, and bare-root trees go in while they're dormant.
Sources: LSU AgCenter