SHIFTING ROOTS

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28 Hardy Fruits You Can Grow in Zone 2 and 3

Are you dreaming of a backyard orchard or food forest but think that because you’re in zone 2 or zone 3 you’re restricted to crab apples? Absolutely not!  There are 28 hardy perennial fruits you can grow that are perfect for a cold climate and short growing season. I’ve done my best to suggest some better varieties when possible.

When you’re done reading about perennial fruits, you can also grow these 6 annual fruits from seed for even more fruit production.

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Homemade Strawberry Rhubarb Jam with Pectin

As a child, my favourite jam without question was strawberry jam. I loved my grandma’s homemade jam and I slathered it thick on fresh slices of homemade bread. However, once I became an adult, strawberry jam kind of tasted. . . bland. I wondered how I loved it so much as a kid, but not as an adult?

Delicious strawberry rhubarb jam made with pectin using water bath canning.

Then I added rhubarb to my strawberry jam and everything changed.

It’s a funny thing when you add rhubarb. You can make strawberry rhubarb jam with mostly rhubarb and only a bit of strawberries, and it will still taste like strawberry–only better. Rhubarb adds just enough of a sweet tang to keep adult tastebuds happy, and kid tastebuds are none the wiser.

Thinking back, I wonder if my grandma added rhubarb and just never told me?

Yield: Approximately 6 small jars

Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

Ingredients

  • 4 cups chopped rhubarb
  • 2 cups sliced strawberries
  • 5 cups white sugar
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 package pectin

Instructions

  1. Chop rhubarb into small pieces, and core and slice strawberries.
  2. Sterilize jars you'll be using for canning be either boiling for 10 minutes, running through a bottle sterilizer, or cooking in the oven for 10 minutes at 275 degrees Fahrenheit. Boil the lids and rings in water for 10 minutes.
  3. Cook rhubarb, strawberries, sugar and lemon juice in a tall pot. Mash with a potato masher as fruit softens.
  4. Cook on medium high heat, stirring frequently. Add the pectin when the mixture boils.
  5. The pectin package says to boil for one minute, but I frequently find that my jam never sets with that short of a boil. I suggest boiling for 3-5 minutes.
  6. Turn off heat and pour jam into sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace..
  7. Clean off any spillage on the rims with a clean cloth.
  8. Put on lids and secure with rims. Boil in water for 10 minutes. The water must be at least 1 inch over the top of the jars.
  9. Remove after 10 minutes and set jars on a clean towel. Do not tilt the jar as you remove it, as that could compromise the seal. Do not move jars for 24 hours.
  10. If you have any jars that don't seal, or a jar with too much headspace, put it in the fridge and use that one first.

Notes

If you live at a higher altitude, you will need to boil everything for longer to sterilize it. Please consult this guide.

New to making jam? You can watch how I make peach jam here. The recipe is obviously different, but the whole canning process is the same. Just ignore the frizzy hair, messy kitchen, crying baby, and silly seven year old. Or don’t, and let them encourage you that you’ve totally got this, even if you’re a beginner.

Do you just want the recipe without having to scroll to the bottom?

Get over 25 of them– using Saskatoon berries, sour cherries, raspberries, rhubarb and more. For a limited time its only $7–60% off the regular price!

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6 Hardy Fruits You Can Grow From Seed

When you live in a colder climate, it’s easy to think that your fruit growing options are limited. Not so! These six hardy fruits can be grown from seed in Canada or any colder zone. You can start these fruits indoors, then set them outside in your garden or in pots and containers once all risk of frost has passed.

Looking for hardy fruit trees instead? I’ve compiled a list of 28 hardy fruit trees that you can grow in zone 2 and zone 3.

Just because you live in a cold climate doesn't mean your options for growing fruit are limited! Here's a list of six easy fruits you can grow from seed in your garden or in pots and containers in your backyard. #growingfruit #melons #gardening #hardyfruit #Canada #zone3

Cantaloupe (Muskmelon)

Nothing compares to the taste of a garden fresh cantaloupe. They’re so good you’ll have trouble sharing!! I personally look for varieties with the shortest date to maturity possible, as my growing season is short.

If you want muskmelon all summer, try planting Minnesota Midget (65 days), Halona (75 days) and Sugar Cube (80 days).

Cucamelon

Cucamelons are making a comeback in popularity and are a fun must-try fruit for the home gardener. You can eat them raw, or use them in stir fries, pickling, and salsas. Grow them on a trellis for easy picking.

Ground Cherries

Ground cherries look like tomatillos, but taste like tropical fruit. Use them in baking, jams, or even salsa.

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Honeydew

Honeydew seeds can be a little trickier to find in the seed catalogues, but they are well worth the effort. Try the Honey Mass Hybrid if you’re in a short season area.

Strawberries

Strawberries are usually sold as a root stock or started plant, but you can buy them from seed and start them yourself. Just don’t expect a lot of berries (if any) the year you start them.

If possible, choose a couple of different varieties so you’ll have an abundance of strawberries all summer. I like to have 3 varieties–an ever bearing variety that produces fruit all summer, and early one that produces sometime in June, and a later variety that produces in August.

Need some help starting your seeds from your window? Here’s how.

Watermelon

Watermelons are fun for kids (or those who like to overwater plants) to grow and are super delicious! Quetzali is a good almost seedless variety for small spaces, Sweet Beauty Hybrid will produce all summer, and Cream of Saskatchewan is a unique yellow heirloom variety that looks unique and tastes delicious.

That’s it! Know of any fruits from seed that grow in colder climates that I’ve missed? Let me know in the comments.

Tips and Tricks to Harvesting, Cleaning, and Preserving Berries

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. . . berry picking season!!  Saskatoon berries, sour cherries, strawberries, and raspberries are all in season these next few weeks.  Before you grab your straw hat and pail (or walk down to the fruit truck, we won’t judge) here’s some little tips and tricks to make the whole process smoother.

This post contains affiliate links.  If you purchase anything, I earn a small commission at no extra charge to you.  Thanks for your support!

Planning to harvest fresh berries this summer? Before you start canning, freezing, and preserving your berries, read this first to make the whole process easier--especially if you're a beginner! #berries #summerberries #canning #harvesting #preserving #freezing #foodstorage #preservingfood #canning101

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Strawberry Feta Salad: The Perfect Potluck Pleaser

I have a confession to make: I’m terrible at bringing food people like for potluck.  I don’t know what it is, but more often than not my food ends up languishing on the table, wishing somehow it could be the cool kid at the party.

Then one day my food got popular.  Strawberry Feta Salad is the kind of salad that has people coming back for more and begging to be the person who gets to finish the last little bit.  You might even–gasp!!–get asked for the recipe.

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Welcome!

Hi, I’m Kristen and I help new gardeners learn to grow their own vegetables and beautify their yards. I also share recipes that use all that delicious garden produce. Grab a coffee (and your gardening gloves) and join me for gardening tips, simple recipes, and the occasional DIY, all from the lovely city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

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