from fruit, washed in a dilute bleach solution (5%), and be stored in zipper-top bags with moist peat moss. Bags should be kept in the refrigerator for at least three months (stratification), or until planting, to satisfy the seed chilling requirement. Never let pawpaw seed dry out or freeze; this will kill the seed. If sowing into containers, use a peat-based potting soil and tall pots to accommodate the strong taproot. Root suckers in native patches usually have poorly developed root systems and can rarely be transplanted successfully. In orchards, space trees eight feet apart within rows and 18 feet between rows; woodland-planted trees should be no farther than 100 feet apart. For fruit production in orchards that adjoin woodland areas, purchase named pawpaw varieties that have been grafted or budded onto seedling rootstock. Grafted or budded trees produce high-quality fruit three to five years after planting. The pawpaw varieties Sunflower, Overleese, NC-1, Shenandoah, Wabash, and KSU8-2 are recommended for planting based on Kentucky trials. Root suckers from grafted trees will not be true to the variety and should be removed. Spring planting (April-May) has been more successful in Kentucky than fall planting. The Kentucky Division of Forestry is selling seedlings to the public that have been grown from high-quality KSU pawpaw seed. For more information, go to www.forestry.ky.gov/seedling.

For fruit production in orchards that adjoin woodland areas, purchase named pawpaw varieties that have been grafted or budded onto seedling rootstock. Grafted or budded trees produce high-quality fruit three to five years after planting. The pawpaw varieties Sunflower, Overleese, NC-1, Shenandoah, Wabash, and KSU8-2 are recommended for planting based on Kentucky trials. Root suckers from grafted trees will not be true to the variety and should be removed. Spring planting (April-May) has been more successful in Kentucky than fall planting.

The Kentucky Division of Forestry is selling seedlings to the public that have been grown from high-quality KSU pawpaw seed. For more information, go to www.forestry.ky.gov/seedling.

Newly planted pawpaw trees do not compete well with grass, weeds, or other plants. Place straw or woodchip mulch at six to eight inches in depth extending out at least three feet from the trunk to control weeds and retain moisture. Water and fertilize the trees, especially during the first two years of establishment.

Depending on the variety, fruits ripen in late August to early October. Fruits ripen on the same tree over about a two-week period, which reflects the extended spring flowering period. Pawpaw fruit are ripe when they begin to soften and can be gently pulled off a tree in a manner similar to ripe peaches. Fruit have a five-to seven-day shelf life at room temperature; however, fruit can be stored under refrigeration for up to three weeks to maintain a good eating quality.

In 2009, pawpaw fruit usually sold for $1 each (about $2 per pound) at farmers' markets and up to $3 per pound at specialty groceries in Kentucky. Grafted varieties will come into full production by the sixth year after planting and produce 50 to 75 pounds of fruit per tree each year. Seedling trees usually have lower yields, and fruit quality can be low (e.g., small fruit, bitter aftertaste).

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