Making a Strawberry Planter from a Laundry BasketEven if you purchase everything new, this is not an expensive project. I found the laundry basket at the curb, got the potting soil and burlap on sale, and traded plants with a neighbor.
Picking the Ripest BlackberriesOptimal sweetness is achieved when the berry is fully ripe. Some berries actually may appear ready to pick when black and shiny, but with some varieties it is when they become less shiny that they are the sweetest. This is a page about picking the ripest blackberries.
Get Started Growing BerriesFor the amount of effort it requires, growing fruits can sometimes be disappointing. That isn't usually the case with berries. Compared to tree fruits, berries are quick to bear, naturally resistant to pests and disease, and they require relatively little growing space.
Three Systems For Planting StrawberriesThe hill and matted strawberry planting row system are the two most common methods, while growing strawberries in "jars" and hanging baskets works well for gardeners with limited space.
Raspberries Advice?I desperately want to grow raspberries but last year when I bought several stocks, they QUICKLY died. I think it might be due to lack of water or some heat issues during the summer... but I'm not positive. I have been told that berries in my area is REALLY hard to pull off.
Firethorn for the EntryPlant a Pyracantha (Firethorn) in a entry way for a dramatic look. The berries on my bush are orange in the fall and have white flowers in the Spring. This bush grows rather quickly and training to a column or wall is quite easy for a year around decorative effect.
