While berries have a relatively short fruiting season, they are still worth the time and effort. Different berries grow well in different regions so the best advice is to speak to a garden expert about which grow well in your area. Where I live we have reasonable success with boysenberries, blueberries and loganberries. But we have astounding success with Gooseberries which seed themselves and yield well.

All berries should be planted in well drained, composted soil. They prefer a sunny position protected from strong winds and frost. Canes need to supported by stakes in the ground or by growing them along a fence. For the best results berries should be well watered in the growing season from spring to mid summer. You can also give them liquid feed in late autum.

Below you will find some indepth info on some favourite berries.

How To Grow Blackberries
We have only ever collected blackberries from brambles in the wild, but plan to plant them along a fence as a way to contain them. The downside to growing blackberries is that they have viscious thorns and make it quite a task to collect. But somehow the taste makes it worthwhile. You can also source thornless varieties. Prepare your planting areas as mentioned above.

How To Grow Blueberries
Learn how to grow blueberries for masses of these great berries which are easy to grow at home, even in containers.

How To Grow Berries - Strawberries
Strawberries have to find a place in every garden. Super easy to grow, even in baskets...make sure you learn how to grow strawberries

How To Grow Raspberries
While delicious, raspberries are not ideal for the home vegetable garden as they are prone to disease and they need full sun, the fruit only tolerating a little partial shade. As these berries are a specialist plant to grow, I have not tried them, so please read further at Backyard Gardener on how to grow raspberries.

How To Grow Berries - Quick Notes

When to plant: Anytime in a container, in Winter otherwise.

How many plants: Dependant on your space, blueberries need two plants of different varieties.

How long to harvest: Once the fruit is full coloured.

Successive planting: No need unless the plant is diseased.

BERRY CORDIAL RECIPE

15 large heads of elderflower
Fresh berries - strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries
500ml water
1 lemon
900g castor sugar
40g citric acid

Crush your berries slightly. Bring the water to the boil. Slice lemon thinly and place in a large glass bowl with the other ingredients. As soon as the water has boiled pour it into the bowl over the berries etc. Stir until all the sugar is melted and leave to cool and stand for about 4 days in the dark. Strain through muslin and decant into sterilized bottles. It will keep in the fridge for up to 6 months.