Growing Grapes, Figs & Pomegranates in the East Bay: A Cool Weather Planting Guide

If you're looking to enrich your East Bay garden with productive, long-lived fruit plants, adding grapes, figs, and pomegranates in late fall or early winter is an excellent strategy. These perennial fruits—grapes (vining plants), figs (fruiting trees), and pomegranates (multi-stemmed shrubs)—all thrive in our Mediterranean-style climate.

At Evergreen Nursery, we regularly help gardeners select and successfully grow varieties such as ‘Red Flame Seedless’ Grape, ‘Black Monuka’ Grape, ‘Mission’ Fig, ‘Brown Turkey’ Fig, ‘Ambrosia’ Pomegranate, and ‘Eversweet’ Pomegranate. Here’s how to give these plants the best possible start during the cool planting season.

1. Site & Soil: The Foundation for Healthy Fruit Plants

All three of these perennial fruits grow best in full sun. Grapes are vigorous and need 7–8 hours of sunlight plus a sturdy support structure such as an arbor, trellis, or fence. Figs grow into medium-sized trees with moderate spread, so give them space to expand. Pomegranates are naturally bushy shrubs and can be maintained as multi-stemmed plants or gently trained into small, single-stem trees.

Good drainage is essential, especially for pomegranates. Our East Bay clay soils benefit from bulk organic compost and planting mixes to improve aeration and water penetration. If your soil drains slowly, plant your pomegranates on a slight mound or in a small raised bed to elevate the root crown. This will result in a healthier shrub.

In terms of soil pH, grapes prefer neutral to slightly acidic soil, while figs and pomegranates tend to appreciate neutral to slightly alkaline conditions.

2. Planting in Late Fall or Winter

Our mild, rainy winters are ideal for establishing fruit plants with minimal stress. Cool-weather planting gives roots time to expand before the heat of summer arrives, improving health, growth, and long-term resilience.

Planting technique is the same as most trees and shrubs: Dig a hole twice as wide as the container and slightly deeper than the root mass. Create a small mound at the bottom of the hole and spread the roots over it before backfilling.

Use mostly native soil with a modest amount of compost and planting mix. Avoid over-enrichment of the soil inside the planting hole as this discourages outward root growth.

To support strong root development, blend E.B. Stone Organics Sure Start into the planting area following package directions. This gentle organic fertilizer supports microbial activity and early establishment.

Ensure the root crown stays slightly above soil level. For grapes, be sure to position your plant near its future support structure to simplify early training. 

3. Fertilizer: Feeding for Establishment & Growth

Grapes typically don’t need fertilizer the first year. Too much nitrogen encourages leafy, sprawling vines with reduced fruiting. Once established, use light spring feedings as needed.

Fig trees grow well with modest nutrition. A single spring application of a balanced fertilizer product – such as E.B. Stone Organics Fruit Tree Food – supports healthy leaf, branch, and fruit development without over-stimulating growth.

Pomegranates also benefit from a once-yearly light feeding in spring. Overfertilizing encourages excess vegetative growth and may reduce fruit quality.

4. Mulching: Soil Health & Moisture Management

Like most fruiting plants, grapes, figs, and pomegranates all benefit from correct seasonal use of organic mulch. Typically this is done in the fall to protect the planting area from the impact of winter rains, and again in spring to protect the plant from summer heat stress.

Apply bulk organic mulch (wood chips, shredded bark, or crunched-up dry leaves) 2 to 4 inches high in the planting area. Mulch helps retain moisture, reduces weed competition, prevents soil crusting, and mitigates temperature swings.

Keep mulch 4 to 6 inches away from the base of the plant’s trunk or stems by forming it into a donut-hole shape with the plant in the center. Never mound the material up against the trunk or stems. This will help prevent fungal diseases and root rot.

5. Watering: Establishment and Long-Term Strategy

Water deeply after planting to settle the soil. During the first year, maintain consistent moisture:

• Grapes: Water when the top few inches of soil begin to dry. Young vines may need deep watering multiple times per week during summer depending on weather conditions.
  
  
• Figs: Provide steady moisture through the first dry season. Once established, figs become low-maintenance and are moderately drought tolerant.
  
  
• Pomegranates: Water deeply and consistently during establishment. Mature shrubs will tolerate periods of drought, but they produce better fruit with consistent watering routines. Irregular moisture, including surprise rainstorms, can cause fruit cracking.
  

6. Pruning & Maintenance

Most fruiting plants require some level of pruning to control size and stimulate fruit production. Grapes, Figs, and Pomegranates are relatively easy in this regard.

• Grapes require annual dormant-season pruning of their vines to balance fruit production with vine structure.
  
  
• Fig trees benefit from late-winter pruning to remove deadwood and open the canopy for improved airflow.
  
  
• Pomegranate shrubs fruit on new growth. Keep pruning light. Focus on removing dead or crossing branches and shaping the plant. Avoid excessive thinning, which reduces fruiting wood.

7. Pollinators, Pests, and Diseases

When in bloom, grapes, figs, and pomegranates attract beneficial pollinators including bees, which strengthens your entire backyard ecosystem. But keep an eye on your plants for these common pest and disease issues:

• Grapes may develop powdery mildew during warm weather, especially following periods of rain. If your vines are in a sheltered or humid location without good airflow, seasonal pruning and sun exposure will help prevent it. If you have an outbreak, Fertilome Copper Fungicide can help get it under control.
  
  
• Figs may attract fig beetles or experience soil-related issues if drainage is poor. Fertilome Spinosad Soap will help knock back this particular pest.
  
  
• Pomegranates may develop aphid populations, especially on new spring growth. Beneficial insects such as Tip Top Bio-control Ladybugs can be deployed in your yard as a non-toxic option.

In Closing

Whether you're training a new ‘Red Flame Seedless’ grapevine over an arbor, planting a ‘Mission’ Fig for summer harvests, or adding an ‘Ambrosia’ Pomegranate to your outdoor space, fall and winter are the best seasons to get started with these fruiting plants.

If you’d like help selecting the right fruit varieties or garden amendments for your edible landscape, our team at Evergreen Nursery is happy to guide you. Stop by our San Leandro garden center today for recommendations tailored to your yard’s microclimate.

Happy planting and enjoy your future harvest!