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Recommendations for Newbie

YviestevieYviestevie Posts: 7,066
edited February 2021 in Fruit & veg
Hi folks,  I'm considering growing  blueberries and raspberries for the first time and wondered if anyone out there could offer some advice.
Firstly, can you grow them in containers and if so how big would they need to be
Secondly, I woul be grateful for recommendations re varieties.
Hi from Kingswinford in the West Midlands

Posts

  • dora.king.homedora.king.home Posts: 15
    edited February 2021
    I'm afraid I can't offer any advice as I'm a newbie as well but I've just purchased a blackcurrent stump which I intend to plant in a medium container. I'm going to keep it on my windowsill until it warms up as the soil is frozen at the moment! 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Blueberries can certainly be grown in containers - a decent sized one would be needed. Approx 2 feet @Yviestevie.
    Not sure about rasps re containers. @Dovefromabove and a few others grow Polka, which is a nice variety. I can't remember which ones I used to have, but they were always in the ground. I expect a container of similar size would be fine though. More work in pots  ;)

    Blackcurrants are totally hardy @dora.king.home, so no need for it to be inside, in any weather.  It would only need protection if it's been grown undercover, or is tiny. In that case, you'd just acclimatise it over a few days - out for a while and back in at night.  Make sure it also has a large container.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • I thought I'd seen something about rasps in containers lately--they are called 'Patio Raspberries', so if you search for those you may find something good. I can't say I've ever tried it myself.
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    There's a raspberry called 'ruby beauty' which is advertised as being good for pot growing. I haven't tried it (yet). In the main, I'd say raspberries are quite hard to grow in pots - they are shallow rooted and disinclined to be confined. Maybe a in a big trough it could work. I find autumn fruiters (primocane) easier than summer types (floricane).

    Blueberries - being bushes - are much more suited to container growing. Bluecrop seems to be a pretty reliable one. Grow them close to your rain barrel - they don't like to dry out. I can grow mine in the ground where they are easy peasy, but they are quite large shrubs, unless you get a dwarf one (there are some) so a big tub and plenty of water are needed, I should think.
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • Fairygirl said:
    Blueberries can certainly be grown in containers - a decent sized one would be needed. Approx 2 feet @Yviestevie.
    Not sure about rasps re containers. @Dovefromabove and a few others grow Polka, which is a nice variety. I can't remember which ones I used to have, but they were always in the ground. I expect a container of similar size would be fine though. More work in pots  ;)

    Blackcurrants are totally hardy @dora.king.home, so no need for it to be inside, in any weather.  It would only need protection if it's been grown undercover, or is tiny. In that case, you'd just acclimatise it over a few days - out for a while and back in at night.  Make sure it also has a large container.  :)
    Thank you @fairygirl that's really helpful, I have a spare large container so will use that instead of the one I had lined up, will pop it outside in the morning :)
  • YviestevieYviestevie Posts: 7,066
    Thanks for your help.  I'm going to try and incorporate an area against the fence for raspberries rather than trying them in containers.  I'll go for containers for the blueberries.  Will need to take a look at the soil under the gravel.  I would like to try and plant canes for summer and autumn to extend the harvest period.  Regarding blueberries do I need to plant different varieties to aid pollination or do any of you have experience of self fertilising plants.
    Hi from Kingswinford in the West Midlands
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    That's what I wondered @raisingirl - I've never really heard of anyone growing rasps in a container.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    Try to keep your raspberries separate summer and autumn types or you may get in a pruning muddle and end up with no fruit on the summer type (very easy to do). They spread though so you'll need either a root barrier, a gap or reasonable diligence. Having said all that, in the ground they are easy plants, IME - not fussy on soil or aspect. The main problem is stopping them. I've got Joan J autumn fruiting (lovely fruit) and I think the summer ones are 'Tulameen' - also really nice.

    Blueberries - some are self fertile, you'll have to check varieties. Like any fruit though, they generally do better in groups, even when they are theoretically self fertile.

    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • Bee witchedBee witched Posts: 1,295
    Hi @Yviestevie,

    This site will tell you all you need to know about blueberries.
    https://www.trehanenursery.co.uk/Default.asp

    I bought three bushes from them a few years ago .... following a recommendation from @Pete.8 on here. They've been great and come with detailed information to help you look after them.

    Bee x
    image 

    Gardener and beekeeper in beautiful Scottish Borders  

    A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
  • YviestevieYviestevie Posts: 7,066
    @Bee witched just tried to order two bushes from them but can't seem to get the on-line ordering to work keeps taking me round in circles.  Never mind, maybe I'll phone them tomorrow.
    Hi from Kingswinford in the West Midlands
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