When to Plant Your 2026 Dave Wilson Nursery Trees
Spring is the perfect time to plant fruit trees in Southwest Idaho. Whether you’re starting a backyard orchard or adding new varieties to your landscape, timing matters. Planting during the dormant season helps trees establish strong roots before summer heat arrives, setting you up for healthier growth and better harvests.
Bare-root fruit trees, like those from Dave Wilson Nursery, should be planted late winter through early spring while dormant. This allows roots to establish before leaf growth begins and reduces transplant stress.
In the Treasure Valley, this typically means:
- Late February
- March
- Early April (before bud break)
Fall planting (October–November) is also possible, but spring planting is safest for cold-winter climates in Southwest Idaho.
Prep Your Planting Site for Success
Before planting your new trees:
- Choose a full sun location (6–8+ hours daily)
- Dig a hole 2x wider than the root system
- Do NOT amend heavily — use native soil
- Soak bare roots 6–24 hours before planting
- Water deeply after planting
- Add mulch (keep away from trunk)
These simple steps help trees establish quickly and grow vigorously in their first season.
Southwest Idaho Fruit Tree Planting Chart
| Tree Type | Varieties Included | Best Planting Window | Notes |
| Apples | Gala, Fuji, Gravenstein | Late Feb – Early Apr | Very reliable |
| Apricots | Blenheim, Tilton, Moorpark, Chinese, Harglow | Late Feb – Mid March | Plant early (frost sensitive) |
| Cherries | Bing, Rainier, Van, Multi-bud | Late Feb – Early Apr | Needs pollinators |
| Peaches | Contender, Elberta, Reliance, O’Henry, Ranger | Late Feb – Early Apr | Great for Idaho |
| Nectarines | Arctic series, Flavortop, Mericrest, etc. | Late Feb – Early Apr | Treat like peaches |
| Plums & Pluots | Multi-bud, Dapple Dandy | Late Feb – Early Apr | Good pollination |
| Pears | Multi-bud Comice/Bartlett/Bosc | Late Feb – Early Apr | Cold hardy |
| Jujube | GA 866, Li | Mid April – May | Wait for warm soil |
| Olive | Mission | April – May | Plant after frost risk |
| Nut Trees | Walnut, Chestnut | March – April | Large spacing needed |
| Cane Berries | Raspberry, Blackberry | March – April | Plant shallow |
| Willows | Corkscrew, Weeping | March – May | High water needs |
Best Performers for Southwest Idaho
These varieties from your order typically perform especially well:
- Contender Peach
- Reliance Peach
- Chinese Apricot
- Tilton Apricot
- Gala Apple
- Fuji Apple
- Van Cherry
- Bing Cherry (with pollinizer)
- Li Jujube
- Ambassador Walnut
Planting Tips for Success in the Treasure Valley
- Expect late frosts into May
- Plant apricots in protected locations
- Avoid low frost pockets
- Use mulch to retain moisture
- Water deeply but infrequently
- Stake trees for first 1–2 years
A little planning now means stronger trees, better growth, and bigger harvests for years to come!
