| How
do I plant strawberries? |
| When
planting strawberries, make sure that the middle of
the crown, with the roots straight-down, is level with
the top of the soil. Please refer to the diagram in
our Strawberry
Planting and Culturing Guide for correct depth and
complete strawberry planting information. Additional
information for planting and maintaining a healthy crop
can be found in Caring for
Your Soil and Protecting
Your Crop. |
| |
| How
do I grow blueberries? |
| Blueberries
are easy to grow and relatively pest-free as long as
a few simple growing rules are followed. Plant blueberries
in a hole or trench appropriately sized so that all
the roots are covered by soil when the hole is filled.
Blueberries require an acid soil with a pH of 4.5-4.8.
Consult the Blueberry
Planting Guide for methods and materials to lower
the soil pH. |
| |
| How
do I grow raspberries? |
| As
with strawberries, raspberries require full sun and
well-drained soil. Make sure the roots are not allowed
to dry out during planting by keeping the plants in
a pail of water for up to 1 hour prior to, and throughout,
the planting process, We suggest that all brambles be
supported by a trellis. For suggestions on how to design
trellises for plant support and plant summer and fall-bearing
raspberries and other brambles, see our Brambles
Planting and Culturing Guide. |
| |
| How
do I plant asparagus? |
| Asparagus
takes time and patience, but the rewards are well worth
the effort. A
soil test should be done to check that the soil is in
the correct pH range and that it contains high levels
of phosphorous. For best results make any soil pH adjustments
before you plant. For
more tips on how to start asparagus, visit our Guide
to Asparagus Planting and Culturing Guide. You'll
be all the wiser for it! |
| |
| How
do I grow blackberries? |
| Blackberries
need a greater distance between plants to grow than
other berries in the bramble family. Set blackberries
3-4 feet apart in the row and allow at least 8-10 feet
between rows. For detailed information on cultivating
blackberries go to the Brambles
Planting and Culturing Guide. |
| |
| How
do I grow black raspberries? |
| Black
raspberries need to be treated much like raspberries
and blackberries to assure the highest quality and yield.
Black or Purple Raspberry plants respond well to a process
called tipping, whereby the 1-year old canes are pinched
back as they reach a height of 5-6 feet. For detailed
information see our Brambles
Planting and Culturing Guide. |
| |
| How
do I plant currants/gooseberries? |
| These
ideal fruits for regions with long winters, currants
and gooseberries, are making a comeback in popularity.
Before planting members of the Ribe family, visit our
section on Ribes
Planting. |
| |
| How
do I plant rhubarb? |
| A
rhubarb patch can last 10-15 years with some attention.
To get a good start on this tart addition to strawberry
pie, make sure to read Planting
and Culturing Rhubarb. |
| |
| How
do I prune currants? |
| Whether
you grow your currants in bush form or on a trellis,
follow our Pruning
Instructions. These instructions will work for Gooseberries
as well. |
| |
| How
do I control weeds in strawberries? |
| Weed
control for strawberries is very important for successful
results. We recommend preparing your site the year before
planting to remove perennial grasses and to reduce weed
pressure. Before you plant read our section on Weed
Control in our Strawberry Planting Guide and look
for valuable gardening tips in Caring
for Your Soil. |
| |
| How
do I control weeds in raspberries? |
| During
the growing season, cultivate regularly around plants,
but not more than 3 inches deep, because the root system
of raspberries and blackberries is quite shallow. A
tool called a scuffle hoe is helpful for this purpose.
It is also helpful to mulch plants during the establishment
year. Visit our planting guide and Weed
Control for Brambles to learn more. |
| |
| How
do I control weeds in rhubarb? |
| Rid
the soil of weeds before you plant your rhubarb and
follow our advice on Weeding
and Special Considerations for the best results. |
| |
| How
do I control weeds in asparagus? |
| To
insure a healthy and long life for your asparagus, you
should tend to them as explained in our section on Weeding
Asparagus. |
| |
| How
do I lower pH in blueberries? |
|
Consult the
Blueberry Planting Guide for methods and materials
to accomplish this task.
|
| |
| When
is the right time to prune summer raspberries? |
| For
maximum yield, Summer Bearing Raspberries should be
pruned directly after harvest. New studies show that
nutriants and carbohydrates are transferred from old
canes to new. By waiting a few weeks after harvest,
you can reduce your spring fertilizing by approximately
1/2. For pruning tips and more go to the Summer
Bearing Raspberries in the Brambles Planting and
Culturing Guide. |
| |
| When
is the right time to prune fall raspberries? |
| Fall-Bearing
raspberries will have one or two crops if you prune
accordingly. Follow the instructions under Fall-Bearing
Brambles to get the most out of these varieties. |
| |
| When
is the right time to prune blueberries? |
| No
pruning is required for the first 2 years. After that
blueberries should be pruned annually during the dormant
period. Learn how under Blueberry
Pruning. |
