Raspberries
These plants arrive cut back, ready for planting. Plant at distance of 15-18 inches (38-40cm) apart and 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8m) between the rows.
Strawberries
Plant at a distance of 12-18 inches (30-45cm) apart and 2ft (160cm) between the rows.
Blackcurrants
Plant at a distance of 4-6 feet (1.2-2m) apart with wider spacing between the rows. Cut down to within 1-2 inches (2-5cm) of the soil.
Redcurrants
Plant at a distance of 4-5 feet (1.2-1.5cm) apart and 4ft (1.2m) between the rows. Prune back to about two outward facing buds after planting.
Gooseberries
Plant at a distance of 4-6 feet (1.2-2m) apart. Prune back the leader shoots by half during early Spring. Remove any basal growth in late summer.
Loganberries/Blackberries
Train against a wall, shed, fence or stretches of wire between posts. Plant at a distance of 6 feet (2m) apart, training left and right from the centre.
Tayberries
Train as for Loganberries and Blackberries, but the fruit should not be picked until it has turned purplish in colour.
Blueberries
Must have acid soil to succeed, so avoid soils with a pH of more than 5.5. Height and spread is approximately 5ft, so space accordingly. Where the pH is higher than 5.5, Blueberries should be potted in ericaceous compost. This is a very acceptable way of growing them. Pruning is done in the winter and is limited to removing dead or very old branches.
Cranberries
Need acid soil that retains moisture but does not get waterlogged. Avoid soil with a pH of more than 5.0. Provided you can grow Rhododendrons well in the garden, Cranberries should not pose any particular problems. They can also be grown in pots with ericaceous compost. Height and spread are much the same as Blueberries, so space accordingly. Pruning is done after the fruit has been harvested, cutting off any damaged or dead branches.
Figs
Figs are easy to grow provided a sheltered south facing wall is provided, the soil needs to drain reasonably well. Figs should be planted either in a lined pit or indeed in a 15" pot. The best time to plant is March, and if more than one is being planted, 12-15 feet is the correct spacing.
Grapes
Plant 6 inches (15cm) away from the wall, preferably south facing in a hole 4-6 inches (10-15cm) deep, and leave 4-5 feet (1.2-1.5m) between the plants. Good drainage is vital. Tie lightly to a stake for the first month before attaching it to the wall/fence it is to be trained up. In the first Spring after planting, choose one shoot to be the leader, and train. Any laterals produced from the leading shoot, should be stopped at 5 or 6 leaves, and any flowers or tendrils should be removed.
All fruit benefits from a liberal dose of bone meal at the roots when planting, and after growth commences, a small quantity of general purpose fertilizer at ground level. |
