{"id":153074,"date":"2025-10-29T12:09:49","date_gmt":"2025-10-29T17:09:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/?p=153074"},"modified":"2025-10-29T12:09:51","modified_gmt":"2025-10-29T17:09:51","slug":"lafayette-county-master-gardeners-pomegranate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/lafayette-county-master-gardeners-pomegranate\/","title":{"rendered":"Lafayette County Master Gardeners: &#8220;Pomegranate&#8221;"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">by Bronwynne Bailey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The <strong>pomegranate (<em>Punica granatum<\/em>)<\/strong> isn\u2019t just a beautiful fruit \u2014 it\u2019s a piece of living history. Native to the Middle East and South Asia, this hardy plant has traveled the world, thriving wherever sunshine and warmth abound. With its striking red flowers, glossy leaves, and jewel-like fruit, the pomegranate makes a rewarding addition to any home garden. Best of all, it\u2019s surprisingly easy to grow if you give it the right conditions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"418\" data-id=\"140844\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/2023-10-31-Bronwynne.jpg?resize=640%2C418\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-140844\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/2023-10-31-Bronwynne.jpg?w=996&amp;ssl=1 996w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/2023-10-31-Bronwynne.jpg?resize=300%2C196&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/2023-10-31-Bronwynne.jpg?resize=768%2C501&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/garden-extension.png\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"463\" height=\"178\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/garden-extension.png?resize=463%2C178\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-140850\" style=\"width:351px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/garden-extension.png?w=463&amp;ssl=1 463w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/garden-extension.png?resize=300%2C115&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 463px) 100vw, 463px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Colors and Varieties<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Before planting, it\u2019s important to pick a variety suited to your climate and space. Some popular types include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>\u2018Wonderful\u2019<\/strong> \u2013 The most common variety in the US; produces large, sweet-tart fruit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>\u2018Angel Red\u2019<\/strong> \u2013 Early ripening and very juicy, with soft seeds.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>\u2018Parfianka\u2019<\/strong> \u2013 Excellent flavor, disease resistant, and good for smaller gardens.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>\u2018Nana\u2019 (Dwarf Pomegranate)<\/strong> \u2013 A compact ornamental variety perfect for containers or small spaces.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you live in a region with mild winters (USDA Zones 7\u201311), you can grow pomegranates outdoors year-round. In cooler areas, they can be grown in large pots and brought indoors during the cold months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Growth Habits<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Pomegranates love <strong>sun and warmth<\/strong>. Choose a location that receives at least <strong>6 hours of direct sunlight per day<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Spacing:<\/strong> If planting multiple trees, space them <strong>10\u201315 feet apart<\/strong> to allow airflow and sunlight penetration.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Soil:<\/strong> They prefer well-draining soil\u2014sandy loam is ideal\u2014but they tolerate a wide range of soil types as long as drainage is good.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>pH Level:<\/strong> Slightly acidic to neutral (around 5.5\u20137.0).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Planting Depth &amp; Spacing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When planting, dig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Set the plant in the hole so that the top of the root ball is level with the ground surface, backfill with soil, and water deeply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Watering<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Though drought-tolerant once established, pomegranates need consistent moisture\u2014especially during the first year and when fruit is developing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Fertilize<\/strong> in early spring with a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) or compost. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to excessive leafy growth with fewer fruits.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water deeply<\/strong> every 7\u201310 days in dry weather, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mulch<\/strong> around the base with organic material to conserve moisture and regulate temperature.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Pruning<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Pomegranates can be grown as either <strong>shrubs or small trees<\/strong>. To train a single-trunk tree:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For a bushier look, allow multiple stems to grow and prune lightly to shape.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Select one strong main stem and remove competing shoots during the first few years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Once established, prune lightly each year to remove dead or crossing branches and to open up the canopy for sunlight and air circulation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Annual pruning after harvest helps improve fruit quality and overall plant health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Pests<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Pomegranates are relatively pest-free, but you may encounter:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Fruit cracking<\/strong> \u2013 caused by irregular watering; keep moisture levels consistent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Aphids<\/strong> or <strong>whiteflies<\/strong> \u2013 treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fungal diseases<\/strong> \u2013 avoid overhead watering and ensure good air circulation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Pollination<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Pomegranates are <strong>self-pollinating<\/strong>, so you only need one tree to get fruit. Bees and other pollinators assist in the process, so avoid using harsh pesticides during flowering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fruits begin to appear by the <strong>second or third year<\/strong>, ripening in late summer to fall. You\u2019ll know they\u2019re ready when the rind turns rich in color and makes a metallic sound when tapped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Harvest &amp; Storage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Harvest fruits when they\u2019ve reached full color and feel heavy for their size. They don\u2019t ripen off the tree, so timing is important. Cut them from the branch rather than pulling to avoid damaging the fruit or plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Store pomegranates in a cool, dry place; they can last up to <strong>2 months<\/strong> at room temperature or <strong>several months<\/strong> in the refrigerator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Growing pomegranates is a joy for gardeners who love plants with both beauty and bounty. Whether you\u2019re in a warm climate where it can flourish in the ground or in a cooler region growing it in a pot, the pomegranate rewards patience with stunning flowers, delicious fruit, and a touch of ancient charm in your own backyard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/fruit-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"853\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/fruit-768x1024.jpg?resize=640%2C853&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-153075\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/fruit-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/fruit-scaled.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/fruit-scaled.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/fruit-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C2048&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/fruit-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1365&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/fruit-scaled.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/fruit-scaled.jpg?w=1280 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/TheLocalVoiceLigature-25web.jpg\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"25\" height=\"16\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/TheLocalVoiceLigature-25web.jpg?resize=25%2C16\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14544\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>by Bronwynne Bailey The pomegranate (Punica granatum) isn\u2019t just a beautiful fruit \u2014 it\u2019s a piece of living<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":123476,"featured_media":153076,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27287],"tags":[24673,6153,5,4,32949,3],"class_list":["post-153074","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gardening","tag-bronwynne-bailey","tag-lafayette-county-master-gardeners","tag-mississippi","tag-oxford","tag-pomegranate","tag-the-local-voice"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/anson-aswat-ExEIUGgq18I-unsplash-2-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153074","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/123476"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=153074"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153074\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":153077,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153074\/revisions\/153077"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/153076"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=153074"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=153074"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=153074"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}