Planning a soft fruit area
Richard168
Posts: 115
I am planning a soft fruit area in my garden, I have an area about 5m (16ft) by 7m (22ft) which is currently grass that I will use. I tested the soil and it is around 5.5ph
I would like suggestions on when to convert it (now, the autumn or some other time) how to plan the layout and most importantly what to put in it.
On that last point I have two blueberry bushes about 8 years old in pots I want to put out, a couple of small goosberry bushes taken from cutting form my old house a year ago. I dont need raspberrys in there as I have a seperate area for them that the old owners had. Also no apple, plum, damsens or cherry as I have about 50 trees established in the garden.
If location is important I am in Cornwall.
All help and suggestions welcome.
Last edited: 23 May 2017 12:54:55
Posts
If location is important I am in Cornwall
Do you like cooking and making jam or do they all need to be 'eat off the plant' fruit? Are you going to have a fruit cage?
Shrubs: a redcurrant, a couple of blackcurrants and maybe a jostaberry, if you like goosegogs. These are probably only worth it if you like cooking. I've read that honeyberries are worth having but don't have any myself yet.
Low growing: Lingonberries like acidic soil, as do cranberries - again, good for cooking, jam or juicing. Strawberries, of course.
Climbers: I've got a goji berry plant but wouldn't recommend them. Tayberries or loganberries, I like wineberries but not everyone does. You can get mini kiwi fruit vines that are supposed to fruit in the UK and you'd have a good chance in Cornwall - if they're going to fruit anywhere.....
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Thank you.
Yes the OH loves cooking
. Yes I will build a walk in cage and we have too many rabbits etc.
Great selection you have put up, I will take a look at some that I have not come across before.
Ah, well if you're up for some slightly unusual things, I suggest you have a look at Otter Farm, Pennard Plants and the Agroforestry Research Trust websites for some ideas and sources for some more unusual fruits. They are all in the southwest UK, so unless you're on the top of Bodmin Moor you should be able to grow all sorts of the weird and wonderful things they sell. But you may need a bigger fruit area
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
I will definately have a look at those sources. Also a bigger fruit area wont be a problem.
Boy am I looking forward to trying to grow some of the more unusual varieties amongst the more established ones
I fancy growing a black mulberry if I can find one. Might be worth looking at for you too.
I've been offered boysen and wineberries for my new fruit patch but have'nt see or tasted them yet.
Loganberries, tayberries, thornless blackberries, purple gooseberries (so much nicer than green) early and late strawberries and alpine strawberries.