Keys to Thriving Berries!

Blueberries, Raspberries,  and Triple Crown Thornless Berry.

Soils do better if prepared early, it’s easier to supplement your soil in early spring.

BLUEBERRIES (a challenging plant)

• Needs Acidic soil: either naturally occurring, or supplemented with peat moss
  • Member Note: Alternatives products for unsustainable peat moss:
    • Coconut Coir. A by-product of the coconut industry.
    • Pine Sawdust or Bark
    • Composted Manure or Leaves
• 2 or more plants of similar bloom time needed for pollination
• Regular moisture
• Don’t allow plants to dry out
• Shallow roots appreciates mulching
• Fertilized with acidic fertilizer start early in the season
  • Twice in spring, once again when blooming
• Provide afternoon shade in the Summer
• Prune out any non-budding branches, dead Wood or Crowded branches
• Netting may be a good idea

RASPBERRIES

• Don’t like wet feet, but needs moisture
• Water twice a week, then move to three times a week when above 85F
• Does better with drip watering, fruit can get moldy if too wet
• Fertilizing: Start with a 10-10-10 to grow canes, then switch to 5-10-10 if plants are growing large. Note: Use less nitrogen for more fruit production.
• Needs conscious pruning, fruit grows on 2 year growth, (floricanes) unless  developing a first and second year everbearing system.
  • Cut out old canes after 2-year fruit
  • For young producers, cut every year to allow sun to reach plants.
• Needs 6-8 hours Sun
  • Member Note: Intense afternoon sun can wilt plants and burn fruit

TRIPLE CROWN THORNLESS BERRY (Blackberry/Marionberry Cross)

• Will grow in many places, like blackberries
• Non-Invasive, semi-erect vines
• Have a choice of cutting canes when they reach 7-8 feet, or letting them grow and propagating tips into ground or container
• Needs a trellis system to keep vines and berries off the ground
• Fertilize at blossom time,
• Water more when fruiting
• Pick when the large dark berries come off easily, large globules
• Prune out second-year canes after they fruit
  • You can do this in the fall

By Joel Heller, Guest Speaker AGC Meeting March 6th, 2017