Once we get through this rather wet and cool part of March, it will be an ideal time to start planting our food gardens.
If you already have perennial vegetables, like rhubarb and asparagus, they will have begun to show signs of life. If you would like to add some to your garden buffet, now is an excellent time to plant them. If you set out new, young plants, it will be a couple of years before they will be established enough to start harvesting. They will, however, continue to provide produce for many years to come.
Strawberry plants can also go in now, and although you can plant them bare root, starting with a more mature plant will make a significant difference in how soon you can enjoy them. They love raised beds or bermed mounds to keep them warmer and drier. Main season varieties, as a rule, will produce larger berries; planted now, they won’t provide many berries until next year. Varieties, like Allstar and Eclair are two of today’s more well-known varieties.
Everbearing strawberries, started now, will provide you with some significant production this year from late June well into late summer. They can also be planted in containers and hanging baskets for enjoyment on the patio. Some of the more better-known varieties are Albion, Quinault, Eversweet and Seascape.
Proven Winners have developed the Berried Treasure series of everbearing varieties that have pink, red and white flowers, and all produce delicious berries. The strawberry variety that I’ve really admired over the past few years is one grown from seed called Berries Hill Montana. It’s a hard one to beat for both consistent size and flavour.
Raspberries, too, are becoming a garden favourite these days, and even in small space gardens, just a few plants, grown on a trellis or pergola, are welcome additions. Main season varieties are generally larger and, planted now, will provide a fairly good crop next year in July and August. Tulameen is one of the really great raspberries.
Everbearing raspberries, however, have become the most popular option because they will produce berries this year well into the fall. Some of the best varieties today are Autumn Bliss, Cascade Delight and the thornless variety, Joan J. Remember: all raspberries need well-draining soils as they detest wet feet.
Blueberries are still one of the favourite small fruits, and they, too, need well-draining, acidic soils. They are best planted in raised beds or on berms to keep them drier. Fine fir bark mulch, worked into the soil, will help keep the soil acidic, which they love.
There are many varieties of blueberries, either early, mid-season or late, available today. A collection of different varieties can help you extend your harvesting period for weeks. Some of today’s favourite blueberry varieties are Blue Crop, Duke and Chandler with its giant berries. Elliott is one of the latest producing varieties. There are also some novelty options, such as Pink Popcorn and the black Nocturne. For limited space gardens, many growers have planted three varieties together for pollination purposes and for extending the harvest period. It’s a great idea.
The addition of these fruits can make such a difference to the enjoyment of your food garden this year and for many years to come.
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