Tag Archives: Keys to Growing Berries

The Art of Growing Berries

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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)Blueberry

  • 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 moistureraspberry
  • 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)Triple Crown Thornless Blackberry

  • 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