Berries

Blueberries

Once again, it is hard to see these bushes against the slope.

When we got back from vacation, it became very apparent that something was wrong with the blueberry bushes. Small, dried-up berries, brown leaves all over the place. Things were not looking good.

'Duke'--far right

 I trimmed almost all the dead leaves and twigs off this one, and took off most the blueberries as well.

There were maybe 2 edible, but for the most part, they all came off to throw away.

Upon closer inspection this one may have just been lack of water. So I have been watering it twice a week or so since we've come home. It actually has some new blueberries on it now, which seem healthy.

I haven't seen any more brown leaves. I'm crossing my fingers that it was that simple.

 'Patriot'--middle

Not sure this one is going to make it.

 I haven't done any trimming on this one yet--mostly because nearly every leaf has these crazy brown and red wavy margins on it. It looks like a disease to me, but what do I know?

 I probably should at least trim off the blueberries, so the plant can put some extra energy into getting healthy again.

 'Blue Ray'--far left

This one seems unaffected by whatever is going on with the other two.

Very few berries on it, but I tasted one today that was sweet and ripe.

Berries are almost a powder-blue color.

I bought some blueberry fertilizer which I will apply this week to see if it helps anything.

Rasberries

Going strong!

Several of the stems for next year are about chin-high when standing upright.

I need to do some more staking.

Following my Dad's advice, I've been watering them about every other day.

The berries have been big and sweet (last fall they were very small and seedy).

I guess regular watering makes a difference!

There are a couple of stems on the other side of the fence actually producing, so I've tried to shoot some water through the holes down to them every so often, too.

 We've been getting about this many every other day.

Jacob and Becca have really loved going over and picking them all through the day.

(So maybe we are really getting twice as much?)

Blackberries

Yes, you read that right.

This vine at the very tippy-top of our slope near the chain link fence is officially a blackberry.

I found it in my wildflower book the other day to verify it.

Himalayan blackberry: nonnative, can be invasive, very tasty.

I'm excited! I wouldn't mind having a blackberry patch at the top of the slope.

With just one vine spreading out, I'm pretty sure I can stay on top of the pruning and such so it doesn't get out of control. But at the moment, that is all just dog-run space up there anyway.

Well, plus the lupines and daisies. So I'm letting it grow and we'll see what a wild Washington blackberry tastes like--maybe soon!