How to Grow Medjool Dates in Home Gardens

Medjool dates are large, sweet-tasting fruits produced by the Medjool date palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera Medjool). The majestic trees are indigenous to North Africa and are capable of growing up to 100 feet tall. They have feathery fronds that reach lengths of up to 20 feet. The trees produce succulent red or orange-yellow fruits when grown in climates with low humidity and moist soil. Medjool date palms thrive in exposure to full sunlight and grow in most soils. There are reliably hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture Zones 9 to 11.

Spade
Mulch
Balanced fertilizer
Pruning shears

Instructions

- 1
  Make a hole broad enough to accommodate the root system of the Medjool date palm and just deep enough to plant it at its prior level.
- 2
  Place the tree into the hole and cover the roots with the loose soil. Water until the soil feels extremely moist.
- 3
  Add a 3-inch layer of mulch around the base of the tree to reduce the need for frequent irrigation and to prevent weed growth.
- 4
  Water the tree deeply when the top 3 to 4 inches of soil feel dry during spring and summer months. Provide moisture only when conditions are extremely dry during autumn and winter.
- 5
  Feed the tree with balanced fertilizer each month, from early spring until early autumn. Apply the fertilizer in the amount recommended on package instructions.
- 6
  Prune away suckers that form at the base of the Medjool date palm to maintain a single trunk. The suckers may also be dug and replanted in a new location.

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