General rule of planting new fruit trees and berry plants

General Fruit Growing
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I just went under contract on a home in Bonifay Fl 32425 Zone 8B and now the fun begins, buying fruit trees and berry plants. I’ll be moved in hopefully by September 15 and need a game plan on when to plant the fruit trees and berry plants. The home is on an old Pecan plantation with some open fields but I guess I need to test the soil before planting. First frost Oct 30 and last frost Feb 30 +/-.

I know fruit trees go on sale in Fall so I thought about buying some local potted fruit trees and blackberries but should I plant asap or keep them in the pots till spring?

I also wanted to order some special blackberries and raspberries on line, should I order bare root stock in October or wait till spring? I know I got a lot of plants listed and each might be a different just looking for a starting point on when to start shopping and the best places to buy. I put just some of the trees and berry plants I plan on planting blow, pretty much as many as I can. I can find tons of information about South Florida but not much on North Florida. Anyone recommend a book for planting, fertilizing and pruning fruit trees in warmer climates?

Apple, apricots, cherry, fig, mulberry, nectarine, olive, pawpaw, peach, pear, plum and pomegranate.

Blackberry, blueberry, grapes, raspberry and strawberry.

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You mentioned pawpaws - I would be remiss if I didn’t warn against ordering bare root pawpaws. I would also advise spring planting for pawpaws.
In late winter Preorder container-grown trees for spring shipment.
For berries and muscadines, I recommend Ison’s. They are taking orders now for fall shipment and those should be planted as soon as you get them in my opinion

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I’ve been to Ison’s a couple times when I lived in Atlanta. I’ll be driving up to Atlanta to get my cargo trailer from storage, maybe I’ll see what they have for pickup in September.

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I’m in 9a South Texas. We plant new temperate trees/shrubs in the Fall or early Winter. That way they can establish root structure while the weather is cool. Normally, we baby young trees in partial shade in containers the rest of the year. Then the next Fall they go in the ground. I’m pretty sure that will work well for you as well. D

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