Growing Berries in Your Backyard

11 Jul Growing Berries in Your Backyard

One of the many reasons that summertime is so wonderful is that the harvest season is in full swing.

There are just so many delightful things you can grow, and one of the easiest is berries. By growing several different types of berries in your backyard, you can enjoy home grown fruit from early summer through late fall.

Berries are widely considered to be a ‘Superfood’, rich in vitamins and minerals, and are both tasty and healthy. Planting berries to grow at home can bring many years of satisfaction. Be sure to seek out varieties that are reliably winter hardy and well suited to your growing area.

Of all the berries we know of, strawberries are the most popular fruit for your home garden, or for container plantings. Strawberries are an easy to grow fruit crop that will reward the home gardener with ample harvests for many years. There are two types, one’s that are only June bearing, and another that is ever-bearing, producing two to three harvests of fruit during each season, in the spring, summer and fall. In addition, a great tasting and unique white strawberry, alpine “Baron Solemacher”, could be your next experimental adventure strawberry.

Blueberries are popular in home gardens because they can grow in small spaces or in even in containers, and they have no thorns and are very easy to harvest. One thing to remember when growing these delicious sweet spheres is that blueberries require a highly acid soil that is rich in organic matter.

And now we come to the beloved raspberries. They are not true berries, but rather cane fruit; but they can be grown successfully in the home garden. Raspberries come in several colors – red, black, purple, and yellow. They are all noteworthy for their tangy fruity flavor and productivity. The ever-bearing raspberry known as “Heritage” produces berries in early summer and in the fall. Different varieties bear fruit at different times, so do your research and choose fruit to bear all harvest season long!

As for blackberries, well, there is no longer an excuse for not raising blackberries in your backyard. There is now a thorn-less domestic blackberry called Darrow available, which requires much less care and has a fantastic flavor. Enjoy these plump, delicious treats and add them to the mix.

Grapes make a great addition to the home garden. Of all the wonderful varieties, it is hard to beat the indescribable flavor of the tried and true Concord grape. For wine lovers, there are many excellent varieties to try, depending on your region.

Regardless of what berries you decide to grow – and in addition to the list above, there are also loganberries, currants, gooseberries, boysenberries, elderberries, and more – they will all give you and your family great enjoyment, season after sweet summer season.

If you are interested in growing berries or have other garden questions or needs, please get in touch with us at 914-245-4800.