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Soft Fruit growing is easy and rewarding  . Unlike top fruit (Apples/Pears/Plums etc ) a crop of fruit is usually ready for  harvest within 2 years of planting some even crop in their  first growing season after planting!

Space : you do not need oodles of space - most can be trained or restricted by pruning   or grown in containers - for example -

Currants & Gooseberries   can be grown as :

Standards -  under which you can grow another crop

Cordons - a single stem usually trained at 45 degrees planted  just  45cm (18”) from each other - so in 1.8m (6ft) you could squeeze 4 plants!

Fan - growth is trained in a   ‘fan’ shape against wires , wall or fence  

Strawberries  & Blueberries  can be grown pots

Site: Choose an open sunny site not overhung by trees or big old hedges but with some protection from strong winds. Avoid frost pockets. Do not plant where  fruit has previously been grown.

Soil: Your soil needs to be well drained and reasonably fertile . Waterlogged soils, poor thin sandy soils will not reward you with a good crop indeed will probably not even reward you with a plant ! -  all soils should be well prepared  before planting.  Dig area and remove weeds especially perennial weeds (nettles/docks thistle etc) this will be extra hard to do once your soft fruit is growing .  Add plenty of bulky organic matter -  such as home made compost, well rotted manure, spent mushroom compost  (not for Blueberries - see under Blueberry for extra tips on this plants special needs) or a  tree and shrub planting compost or recycled  green waste compost . This should be forked lightly in to the top 20cm(8”) .

Protection:  - think about protecting your new plants from rabbits/ deer  other wildlife interested in your new introductions - think about this when you plant not when they have been attacked! - see our sundries section for tips and ideas -  and how you will protect your crop  from birds and other intruders!

Planting: A planting Guide comes with your plant order  but if you have any questions do email us.

Irrigation: In these times of global warming and given the very unreliable British weather -  consider installing a leaky pipe watering system  . These are cheap  to buy, easy to install  and deliver water in an efficient, effective way. See our sundries list for easy to install kits.

We are always pleased to offer advice  by email.  Locally we also offer a design and planting service.

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