There are many different varieties of pomegranate. All varieties love the heat, as much as you can give them, but some varieties have a higher tolerance to cold temperatures than others. So, before you purchase and plant pomegranate plants in your landscape or garden, make sure the varieties you choose will stand up to the average low temperatures your area experiences during winter. In general, winter low temperatures should be above 7 degrees F for the cold hard varieties, and above 12 degrees F for the frost sensitive varieties.
Pomegranates are very easy to grow when planted in the right environment.
Pollination
The pomegranate is both self-pollinated and cross-pollinated by insects. There is very little wind dispersal of pollen. Self-pollination of bagged flowers has resulted in 45% fruit set. Cross-pollination has increased yield to 68%. With that in mind, it's best to plant more than one pomegranate, and more than one variety.
Soil needs...
Before planting pomegranate here are a few things one should know about soil.
Though pomegranates will tolerate most any type of average garden soil, they grow best in fertile, deep, loam soil that is rich with humus, as do most other fruit trees. As many other types of plants require, pomegranate prefers a well-draining soil. Constantly soggy or wet soil can cause problems with their roots. Brief periods of flooding won't cause problems provided the soil is well-draining. If you live in an area that can experience long rainy periods it's best to plant pomegranate on raised beds or mounds. I do this in my landscape due to the heavy clay soil that tends to hold a lot of moisture during the winter season or extended periods of wet weather.
The difference between pomegranates and many other fruit trees is the wide range of soils in which the pomegranate will grow. From heavy clay, black loam, lime rich soils, dry rocky hillsides to sandy soil, the pomegranate will grow almost anywhere.
The soil pH tolerance for pomegranate is wide as well. They will grow in moderately acid to moderately alakaline soils that range from 4.5 to 8.2 on the pH scale. That being said, they thrive and produce best between 5.5 to 7.2, where most average garden soil fall between anyway. When growing on quick-leaching sandy soil pomegranate will require additional fertilization for good fruit production. Where I garden in mid Georgia, the heavy clay soil tends to lighten fruit color, but if the fruit is for home use this should not be a problem as thr fruit will taste just the same.
SEE: What IsSoil pH And How To Adjust It
The pomegranate is considered a salt-tolerant plant, but accumulation of salts in the soil in excess of 0.5% is harmful, though this is way above what the average gardener will find. If you live in an area that has high salts in the soil or water, plant the pomegranates on raised beds so the salts can drain away.
How To Plant A Pomegranate
Below are general guidelines for planting a container-grown pomerganate in sites that provide average garden soil.
STEP 1 - Begin by digging a hole two to three times as wide and no deeper than the rootball. Place the native dirt you remove from the planting hole around the perimeter of the hole.
STEP 2 - Depending on the type, fertility and porosity of the soil you are planting in, you might need to thoroughly mix in a soil amendment to the native soil removed from the planting hole. When planting in heavy clay soil thoroughly mix in some good organic matter, copmosted manure, a good planting mix, and/or sand at a 50/50 ratio with the clay soil. When planting in very sandy, quick-draining soil you might want to consider adding in some peat moss and or compost to help retain moisture. When planting in fertile, loamy soil you might not need to add any soil amendments at all.
STEP 3 - Remove plant from container and carefully loosen feeder roots on the surface of the rootball.
STEP 4 - If the soil is well draining, place the rootball in hole making sure that the top edge of the rootball is at or slightly above ground level. If necessary, place more soil in hole and tamp to achieve proper height. If the soil might remian constantly soggy or wet during winter or periods of heavy rain, set the rootball in the hole so that at least half of the root ball is above ground level.
STEP 5 - Begin to backfill around the rootball with your soil mixture, tamping as you go to remove any air pockets. When planting the rootball higher above ground level, as described in Step 4, backfill to the top edge of the rootball and taper gradually from top-edge of root ball to ground level. Essentially, you are planting the rootball in a "raised mound." Do not place any soil on top of rootball.
STEP 6 - With remaining soil mixture build a water retaining ring to about 3 inches or so in height around perimiter of mound to serve as a catch basin for water from irrigation or rainfall.
STEP 7 - Water your newly planted pomegranate deeply at time of planting. Thereafter, monitor soil moisture by using the finger test, and water when necessary, but be careful not to overwater. Water enough to keep soil damp but not constantly soggy or wet. Most likely, your newly planted pomegranate will not need watering everyday. A good soaking rain or watering once or twice a week is usually all that's necessary until the plant is established. Once established, most pomegranate will need little attention to watering, except during prolonged periods of dry weather. Plants planted during the fall and winter months will require less water.
STEP 8 - Apply a 2 inch layer of wood mulch, or a 4-inch layer of pine straw to help retain moisture and suppress weed growth.
