If you have the space to grow your own fruits and veggies, you should absolutely go for it! There’s nothing quite like the taste of homegrown, healthy berries. To make sure your harvest is a success, I’ve put together some tips on growing berries right in your own backyard.
Planting Your Berries
Most berry bushes are shallow-rooted plants. This is a big deal because if you plant them too deep, they can actually suffocate from a lack of oxygen and die off.
A good rule of thumb is to look at the soil level in the pot your berry bush came in. You don’t want to plant it any deeper than that. Also, if your bush has a graft union (that little bump where the plant was joined to the rootstock), make sure it stays above the soil line. Since those roots sit so close to the surface, you’ll want to skip the heavy hoeing or raking for weeds around the base of the plant—you don’t want to accidentally chop up the roots!
When you’re putting them in the ground, feel free to mix in some compost to give the soil a nutrient boost. If you don’t have compost handy, a store-bought berry fertilizer works too. Just look for something low in nitrogen; too much nitrogen will give you a massive, leafy green bush but very little actual fruit.
Finding the Perfect Spot in Your Garden
Berries are sun-worshippers! They love a warm, sunny spot. When picking a location, try to find soil that is:
- Loose and airy
- Well-draining
- Rich in organic matter (humus)
- Nutrient-dense
- Consistently moist
Heavy, dense clay soil is usually a no-go for berries. If your yard is full of clay, don’t worry—just mix in plenty of sand and compost to lighten things up before planting.
Keeping Up with Pruning
Generally speaking, the best time to prune your berry bushes is right after the harvest. Berries produce their best and biggest fruit on younger wood. A good practice is to remove any canes or branches that are older than four years.
It’s also a great idea to thin out the center of large bushes every now and then. This lets sunlight reach the middle of the plant and improves airflow. Of course, if you spot any pests or disease, you’ll want to prune those sections out immediately to save the rest of the bush. Happy gardening!
