Currants
Tart and sweet, blackcurrant and redcurrant fruit have a short summer season, so grab them while you can.
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Blackberries (Rubus canadensis) are amazing to eat fresh from the plant or made into jams or pies. They’re quite vigorous growers, so ensure there’s room in the garden and also, train them to grow on a trellis – makes pruning and harvesting more manageable!
Winter is a good time to think about planting blackberries - packaged blackberry canes appear in the shops at this time of year, which makes for easy transporting and planting.
How to grow Blackberries in a garden
- Improve the soil prior to planting by mixing in some Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food. Good soil health and structure helps the soil hold onto moisture and nutrients; and improves plant health and growth.
- Set out the dormant canes 1.5m apart, in rows 2m apart.
- Canes can be tied together loosely with twine. If using a trellis or a structure for blackberries to grow on, make sure this is in place at planting time.
- After planting, water in well. Keep soil moist and water as required.
- Blackberries continue to bear for many years. Pick fruit when ripe and well coloured.
- Feed with Yates Thrive Citrus & Fruit Granular Plant Food in early spring and late summer. TIP: For an added nutrient boost, feed with Yates Thrive Strawberry & Berry Fruit Liquid Plant Food weekly during the flowering/fruiting season.
- Once or twice a year, apply Yates Nature's Way Organic Compost & Soil Improver and Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food to maintain soil health and structure.
Growing tips
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Blackberries should be planted in rows running north to south so canes receive plenty of sunshine.
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Fruit can get spoilt from extreme heat and sunshine. Cover with shadecloth to protect the fruit.
More Plants
Strawberry
Strawberries happily grow in raised garden beds, in the garden, in pots or even hanging baskets. Eat them fresh, cooked or make into jams.
Apples
Apples can grow into large trees, but you can also find dwarf forms. Be sure to find a self-fertile variety or two which can cross-pollinate.
Makrut Lime
Makrut lime trees are grown for their aromatic leaves and zesty fruits. Mostly used in dishes such as curries, soups, stir-fries, beverages and desserts.
Yates Thrive Citrus & Fruit Granular Plant Food
Fast acting, gradual feeding plant food specially formulated to grow citrus & fruit trees, with high potassium for more abundant fruit & added magnesium to help prevent leaf yellowing.
Yates Thrive Strawberry & Berry Fruit Liquid Plant Food
Provides plants with the balanced nutrition they need to produce juicy, luscious berries and healthy green foliage.
Yates Nature's Way Organic Compost & Soil Improver
Transform soil into a healthy nutrient-rich base for your gardens and lawns with Yates Nature’s Way Organic Compost & Soil Improver.
Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food
Releases nutrients slowly, improves the structure and moisture retention of the soil and encourages earthworms and beneficial soil micro-organisms.
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