Fruits and Other Berries in Your Backyard
Think of the various pleasures and tastes that small fruits and berries have to offer and bring to you. They do not take up a lot of room in the garden and can form part of your repertoire for yourself, family and friends to partake, admire and enjoy!
Cultivation is still extremely important, as it soil feeding, preparation and all other steps associated and discussed to this point for vegetables.
Getting them started is often the biggest challenge and no expertise or specialist gardening knowledge or skills are required to grow berries and fruits.
You might have varying success with these, at first, but these days, you can buy from the field plants that are up to 2 yrs old and settled and established pretty well to increase your odds of success.
How deep, where and the care of the plants seem to take precedence and concern for most gardeners contemplating these as part of their plantings and offerings.
Two requirements for fruit and berries are rich soil that drains well. Potash, fertilizer or manure can be used to feed the plants.
Transplanting them and ensuring good root depth and securing them properly are all key to their optimal growth. Some sunny exposure is recommended.
There are TWO basic ways to plant strawberries for example if you are setting out with something easier in this category.
(i) They can be planted directly in the soil, allowed to root
(ii They can also be planted in containers or layered in pots
When the risk of frost has passed, early spring plantings are best and most successful. A well -prepared planting or transplanting environment is essential.
Most gardeners will tell you that there are THREE possible ways to get the most from fruit and berry planting
hilly slope location in single rows or beddings with 3-4 rows (1-2 ft apart, with every plant kept separately matted row with plants placed in single rows, runners set in the bed about 1 ft apart.
A pot-layering system where a good annual crop is almost secured and guaranteed with this method. Therefore, it is very popular indeed. Some plants are selected to be ‘runners’ . in-between the space occupied by these berries and fruits can be utilized by some other veggies, like lettuce for example.
Tips for growing berries successfully
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Keep it clean and weed free
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Cut off all runner and allow the core to grow strong and deliver the best.
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Air and cultivate often
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Winter-mulching is recommended
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Dangers include white-grub, cut-worm and rust
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Pay attention to the leaves as the first telltale signs will often be visible here.
There are lots of types to choose from to plant when you want to experiment with strawberries specifically. Here are some examples of varietals available in the market today:
Early Season : Michel’s Early, Haverland, Climax;
Mid-season: Bubach No. 5, Brandywine, Marshall, Nic. Ohmer, Wm. Belt, Glen Mary, Sharplesss;
Late Season: Gandy, Sample, Lester Lovett.
For most of the other berry varietals, including blackberry, dewberry and raspberry, the processes and care are pretty much the same.
Here are some growing tips for fruits and berries that can make all the difference for your crop of backyard fruits:
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Well-tilled soil, rich and cultivated is a pre-requisite.
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Early spring planting is best.
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Plant and set the plants 3 to 6 feet apart
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Secure and plant firmly in the soil, so roots can take
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Clean and weed frequently
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soil mulch and water retention is very important to give the plants a fighting chance, keeping the roots cool and the plants fed and hydrated essential for optimal growth
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Cultivation should give plants a great start.
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Stakes can be used as support (also canes and string wire)
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Pruning has a role to play to optimize the yield and crop from season to season. (You will be well served to read up a little more about this topic)
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Winter protection and minimized exposure is very important in colder areas
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Mulch can and must be removed in/by early spring.
Blackberries
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Staking and pruning are the most important aspects involved in successfully growing and cultivating this fruit.
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Good clearances between these plants are essential to allow room to grow.
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Supports can be used to establish them early on.
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A little dry-type soil is considered ideal for this fruit
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Pruned back to about four feet in the spring will yield better crops
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There are a couple of dangers/things to watch out for when growing blackberries (again looking at the leaves and condition of the plant, for telltale signs and signals of problems):
(i) rust or blight
(ii) the bush borer
(iii) bramble flea-louse
NOTE: In all these infestations getting rid of the plants and actually burning them is the only way to get rid of it effectively and not put the rest of your garden or plants at risk.
TYPES OF BLACKBERRIES
Here are some of the examples of early season blackberries that are quite popular for backyard gardeners: Early King, Early Harvest, Wilson Junior, Kittatinny, Rathburn, Snyder, Erie varietals. Even dewberries (a special kid of blackberry).
Raspberries
There are both black and red types available of this delicious fruit. Staking, supporting and pruning, cultivating and regular watering are all considered essential for their best care.
Adequate spacing when planting them is required to encourage spread and growth. Clay-type soils do best for these fruits/berries.
Care should be taken against pests and infestations, like:
(i) orange rust
(ii) cutworm; and
(iii) borer beetle
NOTE: In all these infestations getting rid of the plants and actually burning them is the only way to get rid of it effectively and not put the rest of your garden or plants at risk.
TYPES OF RASPBERRIES
Black-type varietals: Gregg, McCormick, Munger, Cumberland, Columbian, Palmer (very early), and Eureka (late)
Red-type varietals: Cuthbert, Cardinal (new), Turner, Reliance, The King (extra early), Loudon (late)
Yellow-type varietals: Golden Queen | 
