A Rosie On The House ReplayIn this episode we explore the concept of wicking bed gardens, hosted by Romey Romero & Farmer Greg, our guest is .Farmer Greg joins Romey Romero on Rosie on the House to break down how to successfully grow fruit trees in the low desert, even during unusually warm winters. He explains why fruit trees are worth planting, how climate confusion affects citrus and deciduous trees, and the most common mistakes that kill young trees. The conversation covers proven planting methods, soil preparation, watering strategies, and long-term thinking for orchards that can produce for decades. This episode is a practical, experience-based guide for homeowners who want reliable fruit harvests in desert climates.Key Topics & EntitiesLow desert fruit tree growingCitrus varieties (navel, Cara Cara, Trovita, Minneola, Gold Nugget)Deciduous fruit trees (apple, peach, apricot, plum, jujube, mulberry)Low-chill requirementsRootstock selectionBare root treesUrban Farm Fruit Tree ProgramSix-Six Basin RuleDesert soil organic matterMycorrhizae and soil biologyIrrigation and deep wateringMulch and microclimatesKey Questions AnsweredWhy plant fruit trees instead of relying on store-bought fruit?Homegrown fruit has superior flavor, freshness, and nutritional value, and a single tree can produce for decades with proper care.What makes fruit trees struggle during warm winters in the desert?Low-chill trees may not receive enough cold hours to set fruit consistently, causing irregular growth, dormancy confusion, or skipped production years. Therefore, we need to make sure we plant low chill fruit trees.What are the three non-negotiables when buying fruit trees for the low desert?Choose low-chill varieties, ensure the correct rootstock for desert conditions, and select soft-flesh fruit that ripens before July 1.What are the most common ways people accidentally kill fruit trees?Planting in hot microclimates, allowing grass to compete with roots, and relying on shallow daily drip irrigation.How should fruit trees actually be watered in the desert?Deep, infrequent watering—about once a month in winter and every 10–14 days in summer—allowing soil to dry between waterings.Why are bare root trees preferred for deciduous fruit?They’re planted while dormant, establish faster, and adapt better long-term than potted trees when planted correctly.How long does it take for a fruit tree to really produce?Year one focuses on roots, year two on shoots, year three begins fruiting, and years four to five bring full production.Episode HighlightsFruit trees thrive when planted for climate, not convenienceCitrus can be harvested across six months with smart variety selectionThe Six-Six Basin Rule dramatically improves survival and growthDesert soil must be rebuilt with organic matter and biologyOverwatering and under watering look the same—but both can kill treesBare root planting in January sets trees up for lifelong successA single well-planted tree can produce for 50–100 yearsCalls to Action & ResourcesUrban Farm Fruit Tree Program — https://www.fruittrees.orgFree Desert Fruit Tree Master Course — https://www.fruittrees.orgQuestions or tree photos — [email protected] www.UrbanFarm.org/962 for the show notes and links on this episode!Need a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits of a personalized garden and yard space analysis without the cost of trip charges. You can chat with Greg, Janis or Ray to get permaculture based feedback.Click HERE to learn more!*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.