"All sorts of Berries"

Berries have become more and more popular in recent years, although we seem to have gone full circle on this one, as wild fruits were an important part of our diet thousands of years ago.

Supermarkets are selling more different varieties every day, and it's hard to keep up with all the new names!

Of course many berries can be grown in the home garden and, space and climate permitting, many different varieties could be tried. And not all are small round and red!

Look at the prices in the supermarkets, and markets, before you start growing your own. Then when you do get your yearly crop, you'll not only be enjoying the freshest food, organically grown if at all possible, but you will also know exactly how much money you are saving! Once the initial plants have been bought, very little money, if any, will need to be spent in later years.

UK Deliveries.. Berries at Thompson & Morgan

US Deliveries...Berries at Nature Hills US

Blueberries are a simple shrub you can grow in a fairly small space. They grow up to about a metre and a half in height and are a fairly hardy perennial shrub. In the first couple of years they won't need much pruning, but dead or diseased wood should always be cut away. Berries are produced on second year wood, so don't cut away any new branches! They can be grown in pots or in a well drained soil in the garden. Choose a sunny spot and check your soil for acid levels before you plant ( pH of 4 - 5.5 ). Plants will benefit from a regular feed and will produce more fruit if you have another blueberry variety for cross-pollination.

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UK Deliveries.. Thompson & Morgan UK

US Deliveries...Nature Hills US

Cranberries are one of the few plants that will survive in waterlogged ground. They do well on a river side or failing that, make sure they get plenty of water. They will grow in containers but will probably need replacing every few years. Plants will produce berries for longer in ideal conditions outside. They thrive in an acidic soil and it's always best to check on manufacturer's growing recommendations when you buy your plants. Buy more than one variety to help with cross-pollination. Most plants won't need any pruning, but may need replacing, depending on growing conditions every few years.

Online Suppliers:

UK Deliveries.. Thompson & Morgan UK

US Deliveries...Nature Hills US

Gooseberries plants should generally be planted in the autumn. Prepare the soil well in a sunny well drained spot in your garden. It's important to water gooseberry bushes regularly and not let them dry out., especially during the weeks the fruits are growing and swelling. Gooseberry bushes should be pruned every year after the fruits have finished. Gooseberries come early in the year and are one of the first fruits to be picked from the garden. Make the most of them!

Online Suppliers:

UK Deliveries.. Thompson & Morgan UK

US Deliveries... Nature Hills US

For more information about growing gooseberries, pop over to this page: Growing Gooseberries

Raspberries are probably one of the easiest fruits to grow in the garden, and they are well worth growing. These delicious fruits are often very expensive to buy in a shop and are also possibly not grown organically. Plant a few canes and, with a little care and attention, you will have more raspberries than you can possibly eat.

Online Suppliers:

UK Deliveries.. Thompson & Morgan UK

US Deliveries..Nature Hills US

For more information about growing raspberries, pop over to this page: Growing Raspberries

Strawberries grow wild in wasteland and woodlands, but the wild varieties are nothing like hybrid cultivated types, in taste. Although all wild foods tend to be higher in vitamins and nutrients than than fruits from hybrid plants. As taste is important, wild varieties are probably better left to their own devices and cultivating a strawberry bed or two in your garden is the best way to enjoy them.

Online Suppliers:

UK Deliveries.. Thompson & Morgan UK

US Deliveries... Nature Hills US

For more information about growing strawberries, pop over to this page: Growing Strawberries

Plan your fruit garden and encourage the children to get involved in growing berries. The plants are generally easy to maintain, and will be there year after year, producing fruit to eat fresh, cook with and even store.

Freezing berries is possible although they lose their texture and a small percentage of vitamins. To get around the texture problem, you could try freezing fruit that is already cooked - for example blackberry and apple pie. What a treat at Christmas or on a cold day in January to be serving piping hot fruit pies. A great taste of summertime!

Probably the best way to store excess fruit is by making jam. Home made jams are delicious and nutritous and, once you organise the equipment needed, isn't too difficult to get together.

Happy Gardening!

Grow Your Own Groceries: Producing your own food is not only rewarding but - in times of economic and environmental changes - increasingly a must! Nature provides everything the human body requires to thrive, and cultivating some of those natural products in your own back garden will not only produce the best food on the planet for you and your loved ones, it is also economical, environmentally friendly and more fun than shopping.

You'll also find gardening advice as well as some ideas on planning a herb garden. Order it now direct from the publisher... Herb Gardening

www.flower-and-garden-tips.com/berries.html