How to Grow Berries at Home
Growing your own produce at home is becoming increasingly more popular. Whether you have acres of land, or just one hanging basket, it is possible to grow your very own fruit anywhere.
We have put together a list of four easy and delicious berries to grow at home, with a few handy tips to help get you started.
Strawberries
Strawberries are a popular fruit in the UK, and not just during the two weeks of Wimbledon! They can be grown in window boxes and hanging baskets so are a great fruit to start off with, particularly if space is an issue. The benefit of growing them in a hanging basket means they are kept away from slugs and pests, and the soil doesn’t get too waterlogged. They also look quite nice in your garden too!
Preferred Soil pH: 5.8-6.5
Likes: Full sun
Dislikes: Waterlogged Soil – can cause disease and lead to rotting
When to plant: Late Spring When to eat: June/July
Blueberries
Blueberries are another easy berry to grow, but they take their time so be prepared to wait! Blueberry plants take about three years before they begin to fruit, but luckily they are an attractive plant in the meantime. They can be grown in pots and just require an acidic soil.
Preferred Soil pH: 4.5-5.5
Likes: Free-draining acidic soil
Dislikes: Being watered with tap water. Use rain water to avoid lime altering the soil pH.
When to plant: Autumn/Winter
When to eat: Late Summer
Raspberries
Raspberries can be either summer or autumn fruiting depending on the variety. Autumn fruiting raspberry plants are a great berry for beginners as they will pretty much look after themselves. Once planted you can let them do their own thing until they are ready to eat in the early autumn. Give them a bit of attention in February by cutting the stems back down to ground level and they will take care of the rest.
Preferred Soil pH: 5.6-6.2
Likes: Sunny areas with well drained soil
Dislikes: Dry soil, needs watering through the drier months
When to plant: Between November and March
When to eat: Late Summer/ Early Autumn
Blackberries
Blackberries seem to pop up almost anywhere in late summer, so how hard can they be to grow!? They need very little attention, you can train them onto wires to make them easier to pick, or just let them grow naturally and go foraging for the berries when ripe. Pick the fruit regularly once ripe, leaving the central plug on the plant to get the most out of your plant.
Preferred Soil pH: 5.6-6.2
Likes: Full sun
Dislikes: Not being picked when ripe! Pick Blackberries when they turn a dark colour
When to plant: Spring
When to eat: Late Summer
Whether you pick your berries and eat them straight away, freeze them for later or make them into a jam, they will always taste better when you know you have grown them in your very own garden! With a combination of rich screened topsoil and organic compost, check out our VegeBlend Soil to get your berries off to the best start!
Handy Infographic & Berry Delicious Recipes
Have a look at our infographic for a more visual guide on how to grow berries. It also has a few recipes that you can try once you’ve grown your own berries.
