Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2011 09:50:15 -0400
From: Al Cooke
Subject: Growing Berries
Berries don’t get no respect. Fruit trees is what people want to plant. Why not? Well, first thing is fall is a better time to plant trees; berry plants can be planted now. Now is a good time to start preparing a place for planting fruit trees. And you need to look for a source that will sell you good trees in the fall rather than the 8-10 foot culls that tend to show up in the spring. But it will still be 3-4 years or more before trees should be bearing fruit. With berries, in the second year you can have strawberries and cream in May, blackberry cobbler in June, blueberry pancakes through July and August, and more to put in the freezer for later.
And actually, it’s a lot easier to grow the berry crops. With fruit trees, you may get fruit if you start your pest management program before you decide where to put them. Berry crops have far fewer problems with fruit rots..
If I have whetted your interest in the berries, plan to attend a free class on growing berries. Classes will be in the Agriculture Building, 45 South Street, in Pittsboro. Attend either morning or evening session on Wednesday March 30. Morning session from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Evening session from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
There is no charge for these classes. But please pre-register by emailing or by calling 919.542.8202. If you pre-register, we will provide a CD with supplemental material for all of the Complete Gardener Series of classes.
alcooke
Al Cooke
Extension Agent, Horticulture
Chatham County Center
N.C. Cooperative Extension
PO Box 279, Pittsboro, NC 27312
919.542-8202; Fax 919.542.8246