The sudden economic scare is causing a lot more people to turn to planting and harvesting their own food. A lot of people find themselves avidly showing an interest in the different types of home grown berries that they can grow and cultivate in their own gardens.
Different types of berries have always been a favorite fruit for millions of people around the world. It is almost crazy how many different berries that you can grow from your own garden. Anything from strawberries, to blue berries to raspberries can be grown from your home.
The thing about home grown berries is you can assure that nothing was added to them and that no hormones or things of that nature were inserted into the berry itself in order to force its growing period to occur.
Home grown berries are grown and cultivated the old fashioned way. They are allowed to grow on their own time and also under their own terms. When you grow your berries from home it is up to you how much water you give the berries as well as the outside distractions that you allow it to endure.
A lot of people are finding out that some of the safest places to grow home grown berries are in the shelter of a green house. The houses provide protection for the berries from any outside pests that could normally be found chewing on the delectable fruit.
Many people have found that when they grow their berries in a greenhouse they can also determine the amount of heat and sunlight that the plants are opposed to. Home grown berries for some reason always seem to have their own distinct flavor as opposed to berries that are seamlessly grown in a lab and inserted with a plethora of hormones.
The other good thing about growing your own home grown berries is the price. You can pick up soil as well as seeds and things of that nature for a cheaper price then you would be able to keep buying berries at the store for an elongated period of time.
When food is grown and cultivated at home it almost gives it a better taste. It could be, because you know exactly what you are putting into your body, or it could simply be the excitement that you were allowed to cultivate and grow these berries on your very own without the interaction from someone else.
A lot more people are trying to turn to a healthier means of eating, despite the current recession, obesity is still a big factor for many people and it is still progressively on the rise. Snacking on a few great home grown berries or any kind of fruit for that matter is a lot better than feeding your body with a massive amount of junk food.
Food that is home grown is actually a lot better for you as well. Let alone consuming various fruits and vegetables will inadvertently benefit your health in an immense way.
Boysenberry Plants
This delectable berry lies within the berry plant family just between raspberries and blackberries. For that reason Boysenberry plants bear many of the same characteristics of those two plants. The color of a boysenberry is a deep, rich red that borders on being purple in appearance. Its taste is tangy with a touch of sweetness making boysenberries a perfect addition to pancakes in the morning or as an ice cream topping for desert. Additional ways to enjoy this fruit is freezing or canning for future use.
Several factors determine healthy, productive growth of boysenberry plants that include soil preparation, planting and maintenance. Each of these factors works hand in hand with one another to ensure beneficial and productive growth of this type of berry plant for many years to come. Pay careful attention to the placement of boysenberry plants. Do not select any areas that have previously grown potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants or other berry plants. There is the possibility that these plants have tainted the soil with a root destroying disease. Upon planting the boysenberries would immediately come under attack by the disease ruining berry production chances before it even began. Locate areas within a garden or landscape section that receives direct sunlight and little to no wind exposure. Water sources should be readily available and drainage systems should be in place as well.
Soil conditions are a virtual mirror image to that of raspberry plants and blackberry plants. Like these family members, boysenberries require organically rich soil. One of the best places to find this type of soil is by visiting a local nursery or garden center for assistance. After laying the soil down spend some time tilling the area, providing water and generous amounts of mulch or compost to the area. This will work together to keep the soil moist and provide nourishment for the plants throughout the growth process. Boysenberry plants should be placed approximately three feet apart to allow a healthy circulation of oxygen through the area. Ideal planting times are in late spring. Even at this time frost is still an issue. Should a frost occur lay the berry vines flat on the ground and cover with a blanket or other suitable covering.
By nature boysenberry vines like to spread out as they grow. For that reason it is best to select a planting area along a fence line or at the base of a less than desirable tree trunk. Keep in mind that this berry plant remains non fruit bearing for the first year. It is not until the second year following planting that berries begin to appear. When planting in areas that do not provide a fence line or other structure for the vines to adhere to, planting should occur in a trellis system. Guide the trailing vines to grow on the wires of a trellis system. This not only keeps the growing vines off of the ground, it also protects against damage that could occur from routine maintenance, foot traffic or curious animals.
Properly planted boysenberries promote a healthy and productive growth pattern. Therefore it is essential that a routine maintenance schedule be created as well. Establish a weekly watering pattern and no fertilizer applications until harvesting. Once berries begin to appear on the vines, assist the nourishment with liquid plant food. Continue providing nourishment to the plants until berry production no longer occurs. Pruning these plants is not necessary during the first year of growth. Starting with the second year begin cutting down the canes to ground level. This will bring fresh exposure to the plants and prepare it for new berry production. Once harvesting is complete there is no better way to enjoy the hard work than by preparing a fresh boysenberry pie or pitcher of boysenberry juice.