Care & Maintenance

Plant Code:
L4596

Light:
Full Sun - 6+ Hours Direct Sun

Water:
Semi-Moist

Bloom Time:
Spring to Summer

Flower Color:
White

Average Size:
4-5' H x 3-4' W

Spacing:
4-5'

Cold Hardiness:
Zone 6 (0 to -10°F)

Find Your Cold Hardiness Zone

About This Plant

Small fruit varieties offer the gardener home grown taste without utilizing large areas of the landscape. Some varieties even produce fruit within the first or second season and are bountiful for many years. Many smaller varieties are great for patio gardens. Planting them in containers or around sunny outside patios allows for easy harvest and adds unique accent color to the landscape. Planting a mixture of early, mid and late season varieties will ensure you have tasty fruit to enjoy all season long. Pruning and thinning is an integral part of maintaining a healthy, productive plant.  Read pruning information below for further instruction.

Additional Information

Deer resistant but not deer proof-depending on scarcity of food.

Uses

Home Grown Produce, Fresh Eating, Baking and Jams

Attributes

• Berries with good color and flavor
• Great fresh and cooked
• Hardy and high yielding
• Thornless canes provide easy harvest

How to Water

• New plants require more frequent watering than established plants. After planting check for water regularly until fully rooted and established.
• For large plants; build a soil ring around the plant to use as a water reservoir. This will assist in watering until the plant is established.
• Always water slowly and deeply making sure the root ball is completely saturated.
• Don't water at night if possible. Watering in the morning helps prevent disease.
• If new plant wilts between watering, increase the frequency of watering.
• Plants in hot, humid or sunny areas need more frequent watering than plants in cool climates.
• Plants in containers may require more frequent watering than plants in the ground. This will depend on plant variety, pot size and soil.
• Add a 2-3"" layer of organic mulch around plant to maintain and conserve soil moisture. Mulch will reduce watering frequency and speed root establishment.

How to Plant

• Prepare the area for planting by conditioning the soil. Loosen the soil and incorporate an organic soil conditioner according to directions.
• Dig a hole 2 times the width of the root ball and a depth slightly less than the height of the root ball. Allow the top surface of the root ball to rest 1/2 inch higher than the soil line.
• For container grown plants, carefully remove plant by squeezing container and slowly removing the root ball. Never pull on the plant trunk. Instead let the root ball slide out by tipping the container. If the plant is heavily rooted, loosen roots by gently pulling a few away from the root ball. This encourages stronger root growth. Set root ball in hole making sure the top of the root ball is slightly higher (1/2 inch) than ground level. Place soil mix under root ball if too low. Backfill soil mix around plant to ground level and tamp lightly removing all air pockets.
• For biodegradable pots, follow the directions on the container.
• For bare root plants, trim any broken, twisted or discolored tips. Determine the original soil line by the change in color on the plant trunk. Set the plant in the hole so the soil line is above the surrounding soil. Space the roots evenly. Backfill soil mix around and between the roots and tamp lightly removing all air.
• Water thoroughly to settle the soil around the plant. Add more soil mix around plant if necessary after watering. Apply root stimulator to encourage new root growth and fast establishment.
• If a large plant; build a soil ring around the plant, 6" beyond the edge of the hole, to use as water reservoir to assist in watering until established.
• Add a 2-3" layer of mulch around plant to conserve soil moisture and eliminate future weeds.
• For large shrubs, it may be necessary to secure the trunk by using three stakes placed at equal distances around the plant.

How to Fertilize

• Fertilize just before and during the plants active growing cycle. Fertilization should begin just prior to new growth and end three or four weeks before the first frost.
• Choose a fertilizer recommended for fruit. Frequency will depend on the type of fertilizer. Liquid (water soluble) and granular quick release fertilizer require more frequent application; slow release granular types require less.
• When using granular fertilizer be sure to sprinkle fertilizer pellets away from the plant stems or trunk to prevent possible burning and always water thoroughly after application. This dissolves or releases the fertilizer into the soil.  Apply water soluble fertilizer by thoroughly drenching the leaves and soil.
• Always follow fertilizer package directions.

How to Prune

• Pruning small fruit will help produce quality fruit and increase productivity.
• Remove damaged or dead limbs and foliage back to live wood.
• When pruning, make angled cuts just above the bud.
• Prune old, unproductive branches (canes) while dormant. Any branch tips damaged by cold temperatures can be removed.
• Reduce disease and pests by pruning crossing or rubbing branches. This will help to increase air flow through the plant canopy.
• Trailing small fruit varieties can be trained on a trellis or arbor for easy harvest and care.
• Use proper tools such as shears, hand pruners, pole pruners and pruning saws. Make sure all equipment is clean and sharp.