Berry plants - Ask Extension
I'd like to try planting blueberries (and maybe raspberries and strawberries too) at home, and I'm not sure where in the yard is best. My understandin...
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Berry plants #809852
Asked September 07, 2022, 3:14 PM EDT
I'd like to try planting blueberries (and maybe raspberries and strawberries too) at home, and I'm not sure where in the yard is best. My understanding is that planting them in the fall is best and that selecting a place with a lot of sunlight is best. Could you weigh in on which location is the best of the 3?
1. Along fence in full sunlight (facing SW)
2. Along chain link fence (without the current morning glories, it would have a lot of sunlight, but not 100%)
3. Along taller fence with more shade (3-5 hours of sunlight in summer but shaded by house rest of time)
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
It's great that you want to grow small fruits in your garden as they are some of the easiest fruits to grow without a great deal of management and chemical applications.
Fall is not the ideal time to plant, and you will want to do some thinking and planning first as well.
A soil test is something that you could do now. It will tell you the pH and of any needed amendments the soil may need. (For instance blueberries require an acidic soil with a lower pH than most of our soils have naturally, and it can take some time to get those numbers where they need to be.)
Here is our soil testing information:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/soil-testing-and-soil-testing-labs
All of these crops need sun, and some need more space than others, so the area in your third photo is not ideal.
To get started with your planting, start here:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/fruits-home-garden
Here is our info on growing strawberries and the choices that you have. You could get started with young plants next spring.
https://extension.umd.edu/resources/yard-garden/fruit/strawberries
Brambles (blackberries and raspberries) and Blueberries, as shrubs, need sun (blueberries can take some shade) and good space to grow. The brambles need more attention and management than blueberries generally, as they grow long, prickly canes that can easily root when they touch the ground, wanting to become a big thicket.
Here is our Bramble information:
https://extension.umd.edu/resources/yard-garden/fruit/blackberries They need full sun- 6-8+ hours, and can be planted in spring, either from bare roots or from potted plants.
Blueberries are awesome and getting the site and soil ready for them before planting is ideal. This page will help you to do that, as well as with suggested varieties:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-blueberries-home-garden
As with any planting in your landscape, be sure to plan for the mature size of the shrub. Blueberries can be fruitful additions for many years.
We are happy to help you with questions every step of the way.
Christine
Fall is not the ideal time to plant, and you will want to do some thinking and planning first as well.
A soil test is something that you could do now. It will tell you the pH and of any needed amendments the soil may need. (For instance blueberries require an acidic soil with a lower pH than most of our soils have naturally, and it can take some time to get those numbers where they need to be.)
Here is our soil testing information:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/soil-testing-and-soil-testing-labs
All of these crops need sun, and some need more space than others, so the area in your third photo is not ideal.
To get started with your planting, start here:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/fruits-home-garden
Here is our info on growing strawberries and the choices that you have. You could get started with young plants next spring.
https://extension.umd.edu/resources/yard-garden/fruit/strawberries
Brambles (blackberries and raspberries) and Blueberries, as shrubs, need sun (blueberries can take some shade) and good space to grow. The brambles need more attention and management than blueberries generally, as they grow long, prickly canes that can easily root when they touch the ground, wanting to become a big thicket.
Here is our Bramble information:
https://extension.umd.edu/resources/yard-garden/fruit/blackberries They need full sun- 6-8+ hours, and can be planted in spring, either from bare roots or from potted plants.
Blueberries are awesome and getting the site and soil ready for them before planting is ideal. This page will help you to do that, as well as with suggested varieties:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-blueberries-home-garden
As with any planting in your landscape, be sure to plan for the mature size of the shrub. Blueberries can be fruitful additions for many years.
We are happy to help you with questions every step of the way.
Christine
