Fruit trees for Santa Ynez Valley home orchards
The valley's cold winter nights let you grow fruit the coast struggles with, from apples and pears to peaches and cherries, alongside citrus in sheltered spots.
What grows well here
- Stone fruit — peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots and cherries benefit from the valley's winter chill.
- Apples and pears — many varieties set fruit reliably inland.
- Persimmons, figs and pomegranates — easy, heat-loving and long-lived.
- Citrus — lemons, oranges and mandarins do well against a warm, south-facing wall; cover young trees on frosty nights.
Bare-root season
Bare-root fruit trees arrive at the nursery in January. They cost less, establish quickly and give you the widest choice of varieties. Plant them as soon as you bring them home, while they're still dormant. Our bare-root planting guide walks through it step by step.
Choosing the right tree
Ask about chill hours (winter hours below 45°F a variety needs to fruit), mature size and whether it needs a pollinator. Staff can help match a variety to your spot.
Questions people ask
When do bare-root fruit trees arrive?
In January. Plant them soon after while they're dormant.
Can I grow citrus in the Santa Ynez Valley?
Yes, in a warm, sheltered spot. Protect young trees on frosty winter nights with frost cloth.
Do I need two trees for fruit?
Some apples, pears, plums and cherries need a pollinator nearby; many peaches, apricots and citrus are self-fruitful. Ask about each variety.