We thought this time would be opportune to try something out of our comfort zone! So, this year, the whole team is going to attempt to grow their own cocktails… 😂
The whole Natterjack team will be participating, so you’ll be seeing the best and worst of Aidan, Lisa, Scott, Emma and Spencer’s attempts. If, like us, you’re looking to try something different, then why not join us?!
We’ve put together as much knowledge as we can below on how to grow different fruits. You’ll find info on growing:
Blueberries
Where to Plant
In a pot, planter or trough. They won’t mind which one you choose!
Where to Grow
They thrive in a sheltered site, where the wind won’t get to them, in sun or partial shade.
What Soil to Use
Blueberries need an acidic soil to grow – 4-5.5ph, so you will need ericaceous compost for this one these guys!
Links to Buy Ericaceous Compost:
https://www.quickcrop.ie/product/ericaceous-compost—50l-p
https://www.thegardenshop.ie/ericaceous-compost/
Planting
When to Plant
Between November and March unless the ground is frozen.
Planting Depth
Be careful not to plant them too deeply. The root ball should be just below the surface (one-quarter to one-half inch).
Planting Distance
1.5m (5ft) apart.
Pruning and Training
For the first 4 years or so after planting, there is no need to prune blueberry bushes. From then on, pruning is needed to stimulate growth of the new shoots that will bear fruit the following season.
Prune plants in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.
Cut out dead, broken, short, weak, and spindly shoots.
On highbush varieties, begin with large cuts, removing wood that is more than 6 years old, drooping to the ground, or crowding the center of the bush. Also remove low-growing branches whose fruit will touch the ground, as well as spindly twigs.
Prune lowbush blueberries by cutting all stems to ground level. Pruned plants will not bear the season following pruning, so prune a different half of a blueberry patch every two years (or a different third of a patch every three years).
Harvesting
Pick berries when they’re plump and pull away easily.
Tips
A single bush will produce some fruit, but two or three other blueberry varieties planted close by will cross-pollinate and yield a bigger crop.
Feed with ericaceous fertilizer.
If your tap water is hard (alkaline), use rainwater whenever possible.
Cover with nets to protect the fruit from birds!
Cranberries
Where to Plant
In a pot, planter or trough.
Where to Grow
A damp, boggy site or in containers kept very well-watered
What Soil to Use
Blueberries need an acidic soil to grow – 4-5.5ph, so you will need ericaceous compost.
Links to Buy Ericaceous Compost:
https://www.quickcrop.ie/product/ericaceous-compost—50l-p
https://www.thegardenshop.ie/ericaceous-compost/
Planting
When to Plant
Anytime, but ideally in spring or autumn.
Planting Depth
To level of soil mark on stem
Planting Distance
60cm(2ft) apart or in pots with a minimum diameter of 45cm (18in).
Pruning and Training
All that’s needed is a trim to keep them tidy in spring and autumn.
Harvesting
Pick the berries from September onwards; they should last on the bush until you need them.
Tips
Cranberries are low-growing, straggly, spreading evergreens. They need a lot of water-almost boggy conditions.
If you grow them in containers, stand the pots in trays that are continually topped up with rainwater.
Water the soil with rainwater if possible to keep the soil acidic.
Strawberries
NOTE:
Strawberries will only bear fruit in year 2! If you want yours to bear fruit in the first year you will need to make sure you buy a potted plant!
Where to Plant
They can be grown through plastic sheet mulches that are stretched over mounded or raised beds.
Where to Grow
Strawberries grow best in full sun, on light well-drained, fertile soil
Strawberries won’t do well in a shady site – the sugars will not form in the fruit.
What Soil to Use
Slightly acidic – pH of 6-6.5
(You can add a ericaceous peat compost to your soil/compost for these guys)
They also like good drainage, so add a little grit or washed sand before planting if your soil is heavy. The best tip is to mulch the plants (Strulch is fantastic) just as the fruits start to form. Not only will this deter slugs, it will also keep moisture levels even and stop the fruit splitting.
Planting
When to Plant
Pot-grown and bare-root runners – any time between March and October, although July-September is best.
Don’t allow March-June plantings to crop in the year of planting; allow October plantings to fruit only lightly in the following year.
Cold stored runners that are planted March-July should crop within two months.
Planting Depth
Keep the plant crown level with or just above the surface of the soil
Planting Distance
45cm (18in) apart
Row Spacing
1m (3ft) apart
Pruning and Training
Pot the runners when they start to appear. Once they have rooted, snip them from your strawberries and you’ll have loads for free!
Harvesting
Pick berries when they’re dark in colour and before they soften.
Eat them as soon as possible!
Tips
Plant strawberries where they haven’t been grown for three years
Water regularly, especially after planting and while the berries are developing, careful not to splash the fruit or waterlog the plants.
Cover with fine netting to protect them!
In spring after your crop remove any dead leaves.
Blackberries
Where to Plant
Plant in the ground and make sure to give them ample space. They look like small little canes but grow really big!
Where to Grow
They like the sun.
What Soil to Use
Blackberries are not fussy about soil!
They don’t like weeds though, so keep the weeds down.
Planting
When to Plant
Bare-root canes in November or December; otherwise, wait until March.
Planting Depth
Top of root ball 8cm (3in) deep.
Planting Distance
2.5-4m (8-12ft) apart.
Pruning and Training
Fruit forms on one-year-old canes, so those that grew Iast year will fruit this year.
Train any new canes upwards or tie them to one side to keep them separate.
In the autumn, cut out all the old canes that have borne fruit and retrain the new ones into place in preparation for next year.
Harvesting
Depending on the variety, pick berries on a dry day when they are ripe, plump, and juicy.
Tips
Tie canes into a simple, sturdy, post-and-wire fence to keep them tidy.
Weed regularly and mulch in spring.
Raspberries
Where to Plant
Plant in the ground and make sure to give them ample space.
Where to Grow
Raspberries prefer a sheltered site.
What Soil to Use
Fertile, slightly acid, well-drained soil that won’t become waterlogged.
Planting
When to Plant
Bare-root canes between November and March- although not if the ground is frozen.
Planting Depth
5-8cm (2-3in) deep.
Planting Distance
35-45cm(14-18ina)part.
Row Spacing
1.2-2m(4-6ft) apart.
Pruning and Training
Summer Fruiting Plants
Cut all canes that bore fruit this year down to the ground as soon as harvesting has finished.
Tie in new canes- those that didn’t bear fruit.
In the following February trim the tops of the canes to just above the bud.
Autumn Fruiting Plants
Cut all last year’s canes down to the ground in February or March. New canes will grow up and bear fruit in the autumn.
Harvesting
Pick summer-fruiting raspberries in July and August
You will want to pick autumn-fruiting ones from August until the frost comes.
Tips
Tie canes into a simple, sturdy, post-and-wire fence to keep them tidy.
Weed regularly and mulch in spring.
Autumn fruiting varieties are the easiest to grow, and will also crop the first year after planting. The normal advice is to prune the canes back to soil level after you have picked the fruit, but if you leave some canes untouched, they will produce a small bonus crop the following summer – great if you only have room for one variety and want to extend the season.
Links to Buy Plants
https://www.newlands.ie/store/
https://clarenbridgegardencentre.ie/
