I've been considering a berry patch -- brambles actually, blackberries and raspberries, just for our family of four's consumption -- jam and frozen for the most part. How many plants should I start out with? Any suggestions on breeds? We're in a dry (although you wouldn't know it from this year!) 2B-3 climate zone. Suggestions???

-- Tracy (trimmer@westzone.com), July 14, 2000

Answers

In a zone like that I think it may be best to get in touch with your county extension agent. He should be able to help, or guide you to some info for your area. Check out the state collages agriculture web sites. Do you have any wild types growing around? They for sure would be fit for your area. I know you can pass along some types of viruses this way, but I know a lot of folks, myself included, who have gotten nice plants this way. I tagged a couple of wild yellow raspberrys 2 years ago while they were fruiting. Went back in the fall and transplanted them. If you pick out the ones you like when the berrys are ripe, you can pick the best fruiting plants. As fast as you can multiply berrys, you can have a bunch in no time. Also ask around with friends & people at the feed store, etc. They may know somebody who has berries already in your area. Good hunting!

-- John in S. IN (jsmengel@freewwweb.com), July 14, 2000.

If you can propagate wild berries - go that route. Not only are they native and adpated for your locality, the wild ones seem (to me and several others I know at least) a better tasting fruit.

-- Eric in TN (ems@nac.net), July 18, 2000.

Tracy, Go with the wild varieties from your region if possible, but as far as size goes you may want to consider the possibility of growing berries in containers. When I was living in an apartment, I got a 50 gal plastic drum that biodegradable detergent came in, cut holes around the sides and cut the top out. After cleaning and filling with topsoil , I planted 8 blackberry plants in it. As it matured, it made a nice large "bush" for the corner of our patio. When I tried this technique with strawberries, I found we had to tie some of the heavier plants up for support. As I said , I did this for gardening in an apartment, However, I am considering it for our place here, as a means of freeing up ground space.

-- Jay Blair (jayblair678@yahoo.com), July 21, 2000.