Two people harvesting fruit in a small garden

How Much Fruit to Grow for Two

Small-Space Harvests for Canning, Freezing, Drying and Fresh Eating

Growing fruit for two people is easier than most gardeners expect. With dwarf trees, compact vines, and productive berry bushes, a small yard can produce hundreds of pounds of fresh fruit—more than enough for eating, baking, jam-making, juicing, drying and winter storage. Here’s a realistic, Canadian-based guide to what two people need for a full year of fruit.

As a personal note, I do have to cover my fruits with some type of protection, I use mostly fruit bags. The wildlife around here wants the first pick. I thought the squirrels would chew the branches to get to the fruit, but for some reason they are leaving it alone. This year they ate all of the melons. I was busy with other stuff and when I came back to the garden they had eaten everything. Oh, but they left me the rinds. :) Next year I'm going to hide all of my melons in a plastic pot and cover the melons in the pot with straw or shredded paper. I did that one year and it worked. Now they are back again.

Apples (Dwarf & Semi-Dwarf Trees)

One healthy dwarf apple tree can produce 40–80 lbs of fruit. Two people who bake, preserve, and snack on apples will benefit from 2 different dwarf varieties for pollination and staggered ripening.

Recommended for Two:
  • 2 dwarf or semi-dwarf apple trees
  • Yields: 80–150 lbs total
  • Uses: fresh eating, sauce, dehydrating, pies, cider
Pears

Pears bear heavily once mature. Most varieties require a pollinator, so you’ll need two. Expect 60–100 lbs per tree.

Recommended for Two:
  • 2 dwarf pears
  • Yields: 120–180 lbs
  • Uses: canning, drying, fresh eating, juice
Peaches

Dwarf peaches can produce 30–60 lbs per tree, depending on thinning and weather. Great for freezing, jam, and fresh eating.

Recommended for Two:
  • 1 dwarf peach tree
  • Yields: 40–60 lbs
  • Uses: jam, slices for freezing, fresh eating
Grapes (Table or Juice)

Hardy Canadian grape varieties produce 8–15 lbs per vine. One or two vines are plenty for a two-person household.

Recommended for Two:
  • 1–2 grapevines
  • Yields: 15–30 lbs
  • Uses: fresh eating, juice, jelly, raisins
Berries (Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries)

Berries are incredibly productive in small spaces and perfect for freezing or dehydrating. For two people:

Recommended:
  • Strawberries: 25–40 plants (10–20 lbs/yr)
  • Raspberries: 4–6 canes (10–15 lbs/yr)
  • Blueberries: 2 bushes (10–15 lbs/yr)
Currants & Gooseberries

These thrive in Canadian climates and produce heavily with minimal work. One bush may yield 5–10 lbs.

Recommended for Two:
  • 2 currant bushes (red, black, or white)
  • 1 gooseberry bush
  • Total yield: 15–25 lbs
Fruit Type Recommended for Two Average Annual Yield
Apples 2 dwarf trees 80–150 lbs
Peaches 1 dwarf tree Whatever the wildlife leave me
Strawberries 25–40 plants 10–20 lbs

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