At our previous homestead, my fruit and berry gardens were a source of pride. I had so many plants growing, and many were unusual, such as white blackberries and lingonberries. When the boys were little, they loved going out to pick and have ‘garden nibbles’.
But more so, growing fruit and berries is economical. After a couple of years, everything starts putting on heavily most years. The upfront cost is well worth it to eat in season, of untreated, organic, knowing it didn’t travel 1,000s of miles – in plastic tubs.
Berry and Fruit Garden:
Strawberries: Consider growing June-bearing, Everbearing, and dual-season Alpine varieties. A wide variety means you can enjoy them for most of the growing season.
Blueberries – Blueberries can be grown in beds, pots, and the ground. Just remember, they prefer it more acidic.
Blackberries – Thornless are easy to wrap around fences, and child-friendly. White is an option for the unusual.
Boysenberries
Tayberries
Gooseberries – They have tiny thorns, so are defensive to pests.
Raspberries: grow dual-crop red and golden varieties; they do not require caning and grow upright.
Lingonberries – also preferring more acidic soil, they grow low to the ground.
Cranberries
Grapes – I prefer seedless grapes that grow red and green, as they grow well along fences. Within a few years, they put on ample crops.
Kiwi Berries – Usually do not require a second plant for pollination, producing a cute, tiny, green, smooth-skinned berry.
Kiwi – Will need, most often, two plants for pollination. Great if you have warm summers.
Currants – red, black, and almost clear white.
Apple Trees – Dwarf and Semi-Dwarf will bear apples more quickly and take up far less space.
Peach Trees – grow frost-resistant varieties in cooler areas.
Plum Trees – Consider a dwarf or semi-dwarf.
Pear Trees – Consider a dwarf or semi-dwarf.
Fig Trees – If in a cooler area, look for hardy types.
Elderberry – while not native everywhere, it is a durable plant. They grow into tall trees quickly, if given sun and water.
Nootka Rose – Native to the PNW region, these roses make excellent living fences, covered in huge flowers that buzz with bees. The rose hips are pretty useful for tea.
Honey Berry
Goji Berries
Mulberry
Service Berry/June Berry/Saskatoon
~Sarah