Texas Fruit Growers Explore Alternative Crops

Farmers are testing new fruit varieties and protective techniques to adapt to changing seasonal weather and water constraints.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Organic Food

Screen-print poster illustration of ripening figs on a branch, evoking the resilience of drought-tolerant farming in Texas. — Texas fruit growers are diversifying crop varieties, including figs and raspberries, to withstand unpredictable seasonal freezes and increasing water scarcity across the state. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you believe agricultural producers should prioritize adapting to climate changes over traditional crop methods?

Texas fruit growers are actively evaluating diverse, resilient crop options as they navigate fluctuating winter chill hours and spring freeze risks. The transition includes testing alternative fruit varieties alongside innovative cultivation methods to improve agricultural outcomes.

Why it matters

Unpredictable spring freezes and variable winter chill hours have created significant challenges for traditional Texas fruit production. By adopting drought-tolerant crops and protective infrastructure, growers aim to maintain viability despite increasing water scarcity and volatile climates.

Growers require at least one inch of water weekly per acre for current fruit production. High tunnels are now being utilized to reduce frost and freeze exposure for peaches in North Central Texas.

The players

Texas A&M AgriLife Viticulture and Fruit Lab

This facility is a primary agricultural research center focused on developing and testing fruit cultivation strategies across the state of Texas.

The details

The state-wide assessment includes evaluating crops such as jujubes, golden kiwifruit, mayhaws, pawpaws, elderberries, figs, and raspberries. Specifically, the Texas A&M AgriLife Viticulture and Fruit Lab in Fredericksburg is currently conducting raspberry trials using colored shade fabrics to determine their cultivation potential.

Texas fruit growers are involved in ongoing evaluations of new crop varieties.

Culture Shift

This move reflects the broader agricultural trend of shifting away from legacy monocultures toward diversified crop portfolios better suited to current environmental realities. These adaptation strategies follow a pattern set by the historical decline in winter chill hours observed in southern growing regions.

Residents may see a wider variety of locally grown produce, such as jujubes and raspberries, appearing at farmers markets as growers transition to these alternative crops. These agricultural changes help ensure a consistent supply of Texas-grown fruit despite the region's increasing water and temperature volatility.

The takeaway

Growers looking to adapt their own production can prioritize heat-tolerant varieties like jujubes or invest in protective infrastructure such as high tunnels to mitigate frost damage. Diversification remains the most effective strategy for managing the risks associated with unpredictable seasonal shifts.