Garden Evaluation: Berries

This was a big year for the berry patch.

Operation Berry Bliss started way back in the spring, with the blueberry bushes moved off the slope, down to claim the top terrace.

 

blueberry

4 different varieties of strawberries were then planted around and amongst the blueberry bushes. 

 

The strawberries took off!

Of all that was planted in the new addition of the terraces, the strawberries loved the sandy soil the most. On that end of the bed, they completely filled in every inch, and started sending runners down the wall.  You can barely see the blueberry bush in this picture, because it's surrounded by strawberries!

 

 

As you can see, the strawberry plants on the other end, where I amended with acidic soil for the blueberries, stayed much smaller. I may end up transplanting them further down, once the rest of the top terrace goes in next spring. The blueberries would probably appreciate the breathing room anyway!

 

 Production was great for strawberries and raspberries.

I picked off berries and blossoms on the strawberries for the first month to 6 weeks, then I just let them go for it. We harvested strawberries the whole rest of the summer. With my kiddos being the main pickers, it's a little hard to estimate how much was produced, but they found some to pick with enough to share almost every time they went out.

We missed the big crop in June, so I'm hoping next year we'll have enough to make jam. We may even designate the entire top terrace as a strawberry patch, which I would love! That is still to be decided, however.

 

 Raspberries started producing a bit later in June, I think due to the extra shade from the fence and the shed in the earlier spring months. However, they kept right on going up through July, with the heaviest crop probably the first 2 weeks of July. Again, the kiddos found plenty to forage almost every time they went out. The shoots for next year look big and healthy, so I'm looking forward to even more of a harvest next time!

 

I did add compost to the raspberry bed a couple of different times this summer, and tried to keep it well watered. It was so much easier to pick and keep weeded along the fence!    

 

Blueberries, once again, were no-shows in the production department.

I really need to test the soil acidity and add sulphur if needed.

Maybe I'll transplant those strawberries, first.
 

The blackberry vine at the top of the slope gave us a few handfuls.

I would like to add a few more vines up there next year.

October 11

 

This beautiful fall color in the berry patch was an unexpected bonus.

 

November 13

 

Strong start for year 1.

I'm looking forward to year 2.

Home-grown berries make up for a lot of weed-pulling!