Deer-Resistant Fruit
Though there may be less to do in your vegetable garden, November is a great time for planting trees and fruiting shrubs. This is because fall provides new plantings with two cool seasons - late fall and early spring - during which the plant can focus on growing a strong root system and situating itself in its new home, without needing to also contend with surviving summer's high heat. When summer arrives the following year, the plant is in a better position to thrive.
So let's use this opportunity to discuss fruiting trees & shrubs that the deer do not like - paw paws, figs, pomegranates, and gooseberries / currants. Not only will they require little to no deer protection, they are also low maintenance in general.
Paw Paw
Paw paws are native to this area but taste tropical, and it is not uncommon to find them growing in surrounding forests. They are beautiful trees which require little pruning to maintain an aesthetic form. They can get quite big in full sun if not pruned, though you might consider pruning them to stay within 12-15 feet in a home orchard setting. They can handle some shade - somewhat of a rarity for fruit trees in this area - but they take many years to bear fruit, so think of them as a long-term investment. The crop ripens in the fall and is delectable. They're also native and the only host for the Zebra Swallowtail butterfly, which you might have the pleasure of seeing if you plant this tree. Make sure to plant at least two if you want fruit - not of the same variety - for successful cross-pollination. And finally, if you have deer around, protect this tree in the fall when it's young, since bucks will rub their antlers on young trees, which can severely damage them.
Fig
Figs. What can I say? They're beautiful, drought-tolerant, and delicious. This year, a 'Chicago Hardy' fig I planted about 4 years ago in my backyard is yielding a bumper crop, so my feelings toward this tree are running very warm at the moment. If you're planting in the ground, make sure to get a cold hardy variety such as 'Chicago Hardy', 'Celeste', and 'Violette de la Bordeaux'. Figs may die or die back when temperatures fall below 20 degrees, so consider planting these in spring instead of fall, and consider protecting them during winters, especially their 1st and 2nd year.
Pomegranate
Onto pomegranates. Many people are surprised to hear you can grow pomegranates in the ground in Pennsylvania, but you can - just make sure to choose a cold-hardy variety such as 'Salavatski'. A couple characteristics combine to make this shrub a great option for front yards or privacy screens. First, it grows to be about 10 ft. wide by 10 ft. tall if not pruned and has a very full, leafy look. In addition, it is drought-tolerant and has beautiful red flowers. In my experience, hand pollination will help you get more fruit, and pruning in winter to open up the shrub and allow more sun in may help as well. I'm still experimenting with the pruning. Winter protection guidelines are similar to those of figs.
Gooseberries & Currants
And finally gooseberries and currants. These are smaller shrubs that will not exceed your height. Popular in Europe, they are less known here, in part due to an outbreak of White Pine Blister Rust in the early 1900's and the U.S. federal response to this outbreak. It's a very interesting piece of ecological history, and I encourage you to look it up. The berries are small and can vary from tart to sweet. Gooseberries and currants are cousins, with one notable difference - thorns. Gooseberries have them, while currants don't. These - like paw paws - can handle some shade, a worthy characteristic.
Yes, some of these plants are less common, but it's often the less common fruits that are easier to grow with fewer disease pressures. So consider planting one or five!
Bio: Boris Kerzner is the owner of Grow Our Food, an all-service gardening company helping people grow their own food & beautiful native plants. We service the Greater Philadelphia area. Reach us at www.growourfood.com/contact or 267-415-6076!