What is it you need to know about small fruit growing

by Doug
(in his garden)

So here's the place to enter what you need to know about small fruit growing.

Tell me exactly what you need - want - or desire in the way of information and growing those luscious small fruits we love. (or just tell me what you really like) :-)

And as always, just because somebody has written what you want - ignore them - add yours too. It's like a vote and I try to do the most wanted information.

Click on the comment link below and have at it.

Comments for
What is it you need to know about small fruit growing

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raspberries
by: Teresa

Last fall, lucky me, was given 20-25 nice raspberry cultivars. We planted them in a new site (sandy loam/full sun) that was cultivated and kept mulched& moist till snow-fall. Nearby are wild raspberries (within 40 feet). Should i be concerned about any possible diseases passing to the new cultivated ones?

Thanks,
Teresa

Passionfruit and goji berries
by: Merilyn

I'd be interested in:
1. Passionfruit - getting lots of beautiful green leaves on both vines. One vine has no flowers, the other has a scattering of flowers but very few fruit.
2. Goji berry (Chinese wolfberry) vine - again, a scattering of flowers, but virtually no fruit.
I live in Sydney, Australia so I'm out of kilter with you season-wise.
Thanks!

Hardy Kiwi
by: Beth Wineland

Considering planting a hardy kiwi (or two if need be). I am looking at "arctic beauty". My family just loves the small, pop-in-your-mouth fruits. Any information would be welcome. We live in Portland, OR.

fid tree
by: Anonymous

had turkey fig am in zone 3 so put it out in summer and in house winter. i bought two gave one to mom hers fruits in the house mine only grows leaves help. thanks

Hardy Kiwi
by: Johnebook

What species of hardy Kiwi will cross pollinate?

Blackberries
by: k green

When do you plant blackberries
In what sun do they need
how much water
do you cut them back in the winter
what is wrong if they come back but really don't grow much
what is the best variety to buy

Blueberries in Sacramento, CA
by: Anonymous

first, i want to know everything you can advise about this.

second, i have one blueberry plant that lost all of it's leaves over summer. it does not look dead but it doesn't seem to be changing anymore. will it grow?

Need to know blackberry thinnin
by: cleo

I have thornless blackberries that have run amuck
can I thin them and transplant them ..when?

Grapes and Berries
by: terri

Problems with grapes. For the last several years my grapes develop some kind of disease that does not allow a harvest. Don't know what to do. Is there a simple method of controlling raspberry canes and strawberry plants?

Raspberries & Strawberries
by: Joey

Information on maintaining a small patch of strawberries and a small patch of raspberries. Which strawberry plants to remove and when. Which raspberry branches to prune and when. How to produce more fruit and larger fruit without using chemical fertilizers yet maintain their terrific taste. Also discouraging birds from nibbling. Thanks.

Black Raspberries
by: Anonymous

1. My black raspberries grow, blossom and develop fruit, but before the fruit has fully ripened, the entire cane wilts, withers, dries up and dies. What's happening? How do I prevent it?
2. My peach trees have great foliage, but no blossoms, no fruit. What do I do?
3. I have one peach tree that was loaded with blossoms and fruit, then about mid-summer, the leaves began to drop, then the fruit started to shrivel, and now there are no leaves and no fruit on the tree. What happened and how do I prevent this next year?
4. What is a good, organic "spray" regimen for apples and peaches?
5. How do I prevent mildew and fungus on grapes?

Raspberries in BC
by: Karen

I live in zone five with excellent snow cover (18 ft./winter). Soil is a bit on the acid side but has lots of manure. I don't know if that's why but my raspberries are bearing once in July and again now (Sept.). The ones getting more sun are also developing side branches on the canes.

Only problem I've had is that some of the fruit in July has white sections in it. The berry is formed normally but some segments are colorless. It affects both red and yellow rasp. I think that the cane I first noticed this on last year had deformed leaves. I didn't notice a leaf problem this year.

Blackberries and Black Raspberries
by: Jules

Need help with growing these in Northern Il. Thanks!

Protecting grapes from Raccoons
by: Rae

We had our first decent harvest of grapes this year, but we had to pick them earlier than we would have liked, or else we would have lost them all to the raccoons. My hubby is thinking of installing a motion detector water sprayer device- (but then of course we'd have to have it on a timer or remember to turn it off during the day...) I'm sure it is the same family returning year after year (they poop in the same spot). Would another family move in (like you said squirrels do), if they were trapped?

quince
by: Bob

Quince shrubs bloomed nicely - orange (1) red(1).
Is the fruit edible?
If so what use recommendations do you have?

Cheers

Grapes
by: Norma

Grapes:
Care needed & proper pruning?.
How to protect them from coons,squirrels & orioles?

small fruit topic
by: Anonymous

Any info on josta berries?

thanks,
Helen

STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER
by: Anonymous

HI , I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO CARE FOR STRAWBERRIES . DO I PULL THEM UP EACH YEAR ? DO THEY NEED A NET OR SOMETHING TO KEEP THE FRUIT OFF OF THE GROUND DURING THE FRUIT BEARING SEASON ? THANK YOU

Raspberries
by: Anonymous

I have a patch of ever-bearing raspberries behind the house. They were planted five years ago, and now they do not produce much fruit. It is possible they don't get enough sun? How much do they need, and how else can I encourage the canes to produce more berries?

Blueberries in Containers-Zone 5
by: Ann

What is the best way to overwinter the blueberry plants I have growing in containers. Last year I kept them in the garage under grow lights, and only 1 container (out of 3) survived. The year before, I left them tucked next to the south side wall of the house, and none of them survived.

Michigan zone5/6
by: Doug

Is it possable to acidafy blueberry soil with vinigar?
Is it possable to grow peaches from seed?

GRAFTING
by: Gega

Hello,
I live in Toronto and have one solitary peach tree in my north facing back yard. This peach is now fifteen years old, growing strong with a lot of vegetation and a lot of bland testing fruit. I would love to use it as e root stock for growing (simultaneously) apricots, plums and peaches of your recommendation for our climate; the whole orchard to take care of, in one tree. Thank you,
Gega

Definition of small fruits?
by: Jane

Maybe this is something we should know before proceeding. For instance are berries small fruits or are they a different category.

What are large fruits?

Can you clarify please?

Blueberries
by: Linda in Virginia

Do blueberries require any special dressings and when to apply? Do they need to be cut back every year? Any other special requirements? Are any Southern blueberries better than others? (I know, you don't do Southern, but you might know.) Thank you.

small fruit growing needs
by: David Jenson

I would like info. on growing peaches. I assume peaches are a small fruit. I am interested in fertilization techniques for my area (front range of Colorado) in detail, such as product names, exact amounts to apply, when, etc. Also pruning info. detailed. Preventative applications to avoid typical insect pests and disease in detail. Watering info. regarding when, amounts, etc. thx so much

Espalier techniques
by: Another Jane

I see another Jane has already asked about espaliers. I would like to know which trees do best with this technique and what growing conditions are best. Also how and when to prune for maxium fruit.

HOW TO PREPARE TO GROW AND CARE FOR, AND THE PROBLEMS THE CAN ARISE.
by: Anonymous

I have a small amount of land and I would would like growing small fruit for my grand children to pick and eat. I need to know how to get started and handle any problems that arise, I have no knowledge on this subject.

Growing a Fig Tree (Shrub)
by: Joyce

I know here in Zone 7-MD USA we can grow fig trees.
I have alot of different degrees of clay soil and just need to know the basics of growing these in my yard and what you have to do to keep these growing.

Sour Cherry Tree
by: Anonymous

When and how far back can I prune a wild cherry tree that is much overgrown?

deer, feeding & pruning
by: Karen

We have some small apple trees on another property that the deer love to eat so they are having trouble growing to any size. How do we protect the trees. Near the house we have cherry trees. How do we prune them. What do you recommend for feeding apple, pear and cherry?

Small Fruit Questions
by: Alexis

There are several things I would like to learn about. Recommendations for dwarf or standard size trees (pros & cons). Raspberries sucker profusely - how to keep them from spreading, how deep does a barrier need to be to prevent suckering out of bounds? Organic sprays to keep pests and disease in check. Soil preparation. Location and planting distances. Are there any plants that do not like to grow near each other (sort of opposite to companion planting). Pruning for shape and/or fruit productions. My, there are just so many questions but I will stop here.

espalier
by: Jane

When I bought my apple espalier (4 way) it came with two apples - I have had it 2 years and no fruit. Lots of flowers and bees this year but no fruit. My regular pear tree (4 way) did just fine.

Is it in the pruning or should I feed?

blackberries, strawberries
by: Dori

A blackberry is growing on my neighbor's side of the fence. His gardener cuts it back all the time. How can I encourage it to my side, then develop it?
The strawberries that came with my home produce small fruit. Can I encourage larger fruit?

a sucker for suckers
by: cheryl

how should i be reclaiming the shape of the trees in a forgotten apple/pear/peach orchard? we bought our home 3 years ago...trees had'nt been touched in four years and full of suckers...have tried to prune during dormancy in late winter (zone 5 ontario) only to end up with trees with punk rock mohawks by june...flowers, minimal fruit and lotsa suckers.. is there hope??chickadees in trunk cavities..clematis on the trunks..would hate to have to give up on the trees ...thanks doug

Questions for small fruits
by: Moni

1 - How to get berries on wolfberries plants (gogi berries)

2 - organic spray progam for diseases on small fruits - from red raspberries to gooseberries to strawberries

3 - Proper soil and growing conditions to keep a patch of black raspberries producing.

4 - More information about growing quinces, medlars, honeyberries, bush cherries (Jan, Joel, Joy), Nanking cherries, seaberries, goumi berries and more fruit on serviceberries.

Blueberries
by: Cleo

I have patio plants & in ground plants 5+years old
Do I prune them back or?

vines and berries
by: wilding123

how far do you cut back blackberry/raspberries
when do you cut them back
how to get them to produce more
what soil foods for existing berry plan
what are good varieties of strawberries for
abundant fruit
how many plants do you need to get a good crop
do strawberries need some kind of border
or edge to contain them
Can you grow blueberries in Utah (zone 4)

"fruit salad" trees
by: Anonymous

advice on trees w/ four different fruit grafts--some grow stronger & faster and start to squeeze out others--are there best practices for managing this kind of tree?

keeping fruit from squirels
by: Anonymous

We catch squirrels eating peaches, nectarines, apricots, and grapes. Any good way to keep them at bay?

growing Figs
by: Danielle

Hi Doug,
This might not fit under the title "small fruit", sorry. I have always wanted to have a fig tree. I'm zone 3 Ottawa Valley so do I assume this will have to be inside a conservatory (south-facing)? If so, what size of pot would be appropriate? Brown Turkey Fig was recommended, is that a suitable variety in these circumstances? Thanks for all your advice.

raspberries, gooseberries, alpine strawberries
by: H.C.

Books give conflicting instructions on how to prune raspberries, June-bearing and fall-bearing. Gooseberries -- I was told that in some states they are forbidden because of Dutch elm disease -- is that still true? And where do I find alpine strawberries? Can blueberries be grown in improved clay soil?

small fruit topics
by: Barbara Kantz

Any type of propogation of fruit plants
How to trim plants
insects on small fruit plants
FAQ's about small fruit plants

I would like to know more about dwarf trees
by: Anita Gayle

I have had a Myer Dwarf lemon tree for three years and I am not doing whatever it needs because it is not growing. The roots are not bound and I feed it but there is no results. I need to "go back to school" in one of your seminars to learn what to do. This tree is in the sunroom, not outside. Thanks for the opportunity to get some "learning" on this one.

Pomegranates
by: Karen in FL

Any help for starting a pomegranate in zone 9-10? I have no idea, just saw them on the trees in Greece.

Prairie Cherries
by: Linda

I would like to know the ins and outs of growing evans cherries or carmine jewel or the romance series and comparisons between them.

Raspberries
by: Sandra

Please include something on containing rasperries, especially how to prune.

How to grow
by: Lorra

Blueberries
Nuts [?]

Birds, squirrels, etc.
by: jer41

How can apricots, figs, cherries, etc. be protected from birds, squirrels, etc.? They like them as much or more than we do ...

Peach tree disease
by: Cyndy

I have a grove of peach and nectarine trees I inherited from the previous owners. This spring they put on fruit, but dropped all the fruit early in the spring. They also have gummy spots all over the trunk and branches. I have been tempted to eliminate them but otherwise are nice looking trees.

Raspberries are not producing
by: Cherry

My raspberries are 3 years old now. I did not prune them last year, or this spring. We got only one handful of berries off about 20 plants. I fed compost both spring and fall and water regularly. Help, pretty please!^) Love what you do for all of us, wish I could give back a bit. For now I just share with friends, like you.

Berries, Apples, Pears
by: Chris

Zone 6, southern Ohio, have some "improved" clay, some great black soil, lots of sun, and honey bees nearby.
STRAWBERRIES: 2 small plants produce sweet fruit that shrivels within 10 minutes of picking; the other plant is huge and sending out lots of long runners, but bore no fruit.
Planted 75 red and black RASPBERRIES in '08: plants look lush and healthy but bore absolutely no berries.
APPLES, PEARS (already planted when we moved here): most leaves turned black, curled up, fruit is small w/black spots.

raspberries fail
by: wydaho

started raspberries 3 years ago. they fruited well for 2 years and then I pruned them. This year no real fruit, some small misformed berries. what did I do wrong, and can I fix it?

everbearing strawberries
by: Mary

THE PLANTS PRODUCE NEW PLANTS through the summer. When is the best time to transplant these new plants to another garden? Can I do it this fall, so that they will bear next year?
Thanks you!

pruning grapes
by: Anonymous

I'd like to prune my grape back to a stem head like the pros do, but I can't figure out how they do that and still leave 1 year old growth for the grapes to grow on!

Apples
by: Kathy

I'd like to learn more about pruning apple and pear trees and grapes, specifically espaliering (if that is the correct way to phase it as a verb :)) and also how to keep the deer, raccoon and birds away!

Small Fruits
by: Norma

Care & pruning of plum trees.
Do they need to be sprayed??

Ways to protect strawberries from" Bushy Tailed Tree Rats" aka Black squirrels.

Care of Black Raspberries and of Blackberries.

So many questions
by: Sally

How to keep strawberries coming year after year. How much thinning do they need? How to reduce excess of nitrogen in bed without uprooting everything (plants are big, growth is huge, fruiting is less than good.)

How many years can raspberries keep healthy production if properly trimmed? Mine have apparently given up the ghost after abt 15 years.

What are the most hardy ie bug resistant fruit bushes and tree varieties to plant. (mulberry, plum, apricot, pear - any hardy old apple varieties still around?)

What other tasty bushes am I forgetting?

Our Elderberry bush is great. I wouldn't have gone looking for that. What else is out there?

Fruit growing
by: Vanda

1. Varieties that are deer resistent
2. What needs 2 off (for pollination)
3. Pruning of bushes. (when and how much)
4 Are there any which will do OK with rationed water?
5. Any info really: I know nothing!

Dwarf Citrus in Containers
by: JanO

I too, would like to know how to successfully grow Dwarf Meyer Lemon and Kafir Lime in containers. Would Sping and Summer outdoors in Zone 4/5 and then back in for the remainder of the year work out? I have LowE glass on all my large windows so the ultra violet rays are cut way down. Would the indoor humidity have to be boosted, or do they need dormant time and what would that process be.
Thanks for all you do for us Doug!!!

Berries
by: Anonymous

I would like to know how to propagate blackberries, blueberries and cranberries.

Is there a less expensive way to acidify the soil for blueberries than the expensive granular product from Starks or food made for flowers? Would white vinegar work?

Our strawberry bed is three years old and was loaded this year, but how should I rejuvinate it so that it keeps on bearing?

raspberry rows
by: Eileen

How wide should raspberry rows be? I've tried to keep grass/weeds away from my row, but these brambles, as I should have know, come up everywhere! Some of that is probably good; some not so good. Guidance please!

pruning gooseberries
by: Eileen

what is a good guideline for pruning gooseberries? I've seen prune right after picking, and prune in March. I've seen prune lightly and prune until there is one main leader. All too confusing

Raspberries & small-area berries
by: Anonymous

We have 6 or 7 raspberry canes in the 6 ft-wooden-fenced sw corner of our yard (southern Ontario). I cut out the ones that bore berries this year; anything else I must do before winter? They are growing furiously upward but no "laterals" as yet.
Also, can you recommend small-bush berries that we could plant in the flowerbed among the flowers? Thanks!

Strawberries
by: Anonymous

I'd like to know how to easily make a cover so the birds don't eat most of the berries. I don't want to share.

containing raspberries
by: Anne

I would love to know how to prune raspberries to contain the rows , I know that they fruit on last years wood and you can remove the current growth after it has fruited, I have a very prolific yellow plant that is taking over the garden , but it fruits all season??

BLUEBERRIES
by: Vivienne

Can you successful grow Blueberries in most clay and sandy soil ?

Raspberries
by: Alicia

We have had an abundant crop of raspberries this year, however they are tasteless. This is our second year growing the fruit.

Bush and Brambles
by: Anonymous

Information regarding the care and planting of Bush and Bramble Fruit.

Grapes are not develloping right.
by: Diana

I would like to know why I have a fair amount of grapes on the vine with big clusters but the grapes are all tiny. I've waited to pick them so they will get big but they are staying small. Do I need to do something to get bigger grapes? Purhaps water or fertilizer. I cut the vines drastically last year as they had a kind of bug imbedded in the leafs that hybernate in the bark over the winter. They caused blister like braisions on the leaves. I think I may have lost one grape vine.

Berries
by: Anonymous

Which berry plants repel each other?
How far apart to plant them?

Dwarf Peach and Nectarine Trees
by: Lily

I have dwarf peach and nectarine trees and am not sure of the best way to treat the fruit. I had an abundance on either tree starting out and many to harvest from the peach but none on the nectarine. Many of the peaches were split and others that were spotted but matured and were very sweet. I am looking for the most organic way to treat these trees. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Container Grown Citrus
by: Joe Capellini

I would like info on caring for citrus trees in containers - fertilizing, watering, pruning, harvesting, etc.
I have Blood Red and Valancia oranges, and Myer and Eureka lemons.
Thnaks,
Joe

Strawberries
by: Anonymous

Do I really need to plant new strawberry plants every year? This is very expensive. Can runners become good producers? Do I feed the strawberries? How do I keep my strawberry patch operating continuously, rather than having to redo it after a few years? (Also a viable slug control option would be good too!) Thanks.

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Doug Green