Recently, we talked about fall being the ideal time to plant trees and shrubs. For the organic gardener who wants to focus on edibles, berry bushes are no different. Shrubs and bushes are not typically planted as seeds. You grow from cuttings or whole plants transplanted, and if you did that in the middle of spring or summer they would go into shock from the transition. Waiting until fall allows them to go relatively dormant while settling into their new habitat, and by spring they will be established and ready to grow.


Choosing a Berry Bush Location

Depending on the space you have, berry bushes can be a small accent or a sprawling display. If you have a fenceline that can be covered, room for an arbor, or space for large bushes, you can grow just about anything. If you are looking for something to fit in a small space, blueberries or strawberries may be easier to maintain. Shrubs and vines already need to be pruned heavily each year. Pruning larger plants into a small space could prove labor intensive.

Berries need some sun, especially if they are going to sprawl and vine out. While most will tolerate part shade, make sure they aren't tucked into a corner that will miss out on much of the day's rays. Berries and grapes will also need to be in well drained soil, so consider that when you chose your location, as well. 

Types of Berry Bushes and Shrubs

The first thing to consider is what your family likes to eat. After all, edibles are meant to be eaten and enjoyed! If you aren't fans of raspberries, don't go through the effort of establishing a large fenceline of raspberries.

On the other hand, if you love fresh blueberries and all kinds of blueberry baked goods, go for the biggest blueberry bushes your space can take! Within each type of fruit you can find many varieties, too - even golden raspberries. Some grapes are more suited toward wines, and others are good for juice and jelly. Catalog descriptions, your extension office, and local nurseries can help you to determine which kind of berry is best for your region and family. If you are growing berries for herbal purposes, such as elderberries, the variety will not be negotiable. In that case, you would need to make sure that your surroundings are suited to the berry rather than finding a berry to suit your surroundings.

Some will vine and spread, like grapes and raspberries. Some will become big shrubs, and others can be kept to containers or grown vertically. If you have room to grow an ornamental shrub or vine, you should be able to replace it with an edible counterpart.

Planting and Maintaining Berries

Berry bushes and vines are not typically grown from seed. If you are limited to containers, strawberries can be grown from seed or smaller varieties of shrubs can be propagated in the containers from shoots.

Give larger plants several feet of space between plantings, and dig a generous hole for the shrub's root ball. If you are propagating a start, try to get a sucker vine that you can simply replant in the new space.

Berry bushes and vines should be pruned yearly, though how much will depend on the type of plant. Blueberries, for example, will just need to be kept clear of dead branches. Grapes, kiwifruit, and raspberries will need much of the new growth cut back. BackyardFarmingGuide.com has further resources for pruning berries.

The first year that your berry bush or vine is in place will require lots of watering. Once they are established, maintenance will be minimal. Expect a couple of years before you see fruit on most varieties.