Strawberries and Other Berries
Choosing the Proper Plants · Digging the Hole · Plant Care · Bulbs and Flowers
Roses, Azaleas, Rhododendrons · Strawberries, Berries and Grapes
Strawberries - How to Plant
The drawing to the right shows the proper planting of a Strawberry.
- At this level the Strawberry is planted too deep.
- At this level the Strawberry is planted at the CORRECT depth
- At this level the Strawberry is planted too high.
- The level that the roots should be pruned.
Rototill or spade the area deeply before planting. Plant by pushing a spade into the ground to it's full depth and then press to one side. Insert the plants roots allowing them to hang down to their full length and spread them out in a fan shape. Set the plant with the crown at the surface as indicated in point 2 in the above illustration. Remove the spade and press soil against the roots.
- Extremely long roots may be cut back as shown in point 4.
- Carry the plants in a pail of water and water each plant after planting.
Matted Row
- Rows 4 - 5 feet apart with plants spaced 24 inches apart.
- Allow the runners to fill to 24 inches wide.
Currants and Gooseberries
- Set 2 - 3 inches deeper then the container they are in and space 4 - 5 feet apart.
- Cut off half of the tops.
- Most Currant and Gooseberry pests can be controlled by dusting or spraying with Rotenone.
- Always cut out infested canes.
Red and Black Raspberries and Blackberries
Plant in good garden soil 3 - 5 feet apart, rows should be 6 feet apart. Set Red Raspberry plants 1 - 2 inches deeper and Black Raspberry plants 1 inch deeper then they were in the container.
- Firm soil over roots and water.
- Cut back all plants to approximately 6 inches in height.
- Don't allow fruit to set the first year.
- Allow new shoots to make rows 6 - 8 inches wide.
- Each year after fruiting remove old canes and burn them. Allow a few of the more vigorous ones to grow for fruiting the following year.
- Fruiting canes should be cut back to 2 - 2 1/2 feet early in the spring to encourage laterals.
- Mulch well.
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Each spring spray Raspberries and Blackberries with lime sulpher or *Bordeaux mixture just before the buds open.
*(4-6-50 Copper sulfate, hydrated lime and water)
Blueberries
Highbush Blueberries are a worthwhile addition to the home fruit garden - IF soil requirements are right.
- Soil MUST be moist, light textured and contain a high proportion of organic matter.
- PH acidity of 4.0 - 4.5 Set bushes 6 feet apart each way. Mulch YEARLY with 3 - 4 inches of sawdust or peat.
- Cultivate shallowly due to shallow root system.
- Plant in sun for best yields.
Grapes
- Dig the hole deep and broad.
- Cut the plant back to 2 or 3 strong buds.
- Plant deep to keep the roots from drying out.
- Fill the hole with compost or rich soil.
- Plant firmly, water well and place mulch around the top.
- The first year tie the most vigorous shoot to a stake to form the trunk of the vine.
- Frequently remove all other shoots and runners.
Rhubarb
- Plant 3 feet apart in rich garden soil, with the buds 1 inch below the level of the ground.
- Fertilize liberally with stable manure every year.
Asparagus
- Prepare soil by spading plenty of humus and fertilizer into it.
- Set 2 feet apart in a single row.
- Additional rows should be spaced 3 feet apart
- Start cutting stalks when they are as thick as your thumb.
- Never cut thin stalks - they are young plants that will renew your bed.
- Stop cutting June 1- 15, to allow the bed to build up for next year.
- Fertilize liberally with organic manure every year.
Choosing the Proper Plants · Digging the Hole · Plant Care · Bulbs and Flowers
Roses, Azaleas, Rhododendrons · Strawberries, Berries and Grapes