Question:
I plan to purchase several Blackberry and Raspberry plants to grow on a fence. How much sun do they require? Do I feed them when they're transplanted, and when will they bear fruit?Answer:
- Blackberry and Raspberries are an excellent addition if the plants are contained; hence, they are only advisable for a few gardens.
- You do not want to plant any berry vines on a fence that is also the property line. It can be an expensive nightmare dealing with neighbor(s) disputes as the vines will intrude next door.
- Berry vines are aggressive growers with above and below-ground stems or rhizomes. Instead, grow the vines on a separate trellis structure four to six feet off any fence line. This way, you can head off the problems before it's too late.
- I would place the trellis in a north-south direction. They require six hours of sunlight per day, April through October. This will allow the berries to ripen on both sides of the vines.
- Blackberry and Raspberry's vines produce fruit next year as the berries are produced on second-year canes. The vines are pruned after you finish harvesting all the berries instead of waiting for them to go dormant.
- The fruiting canes are cut off at the ground. You replace them on the trellis with the best new shoots growing from the base. All the other new growth is removed. It would help if you were diligent with pruning off the basal shoots; otherwise, the vines can get out of hand. Again, the berries will only develop on the second-year canes.
- When planting, I would add Starter Fertilizers and amend the soil with homemade compost or soil conditioner. Again, I would only recommend them if you have the proper setup.
Question:
I would like to plant several Buckeyes on a hillside. I've collected several pods from an existing plant. Now, what do I do? I've read that growing things like acorns in a bucket isn't good because of the tap root.Answer:
- Buckeyes are excellent ornamental trees for medium to large backyards. The tall trees, with their leafy green foliage, provide plenty of shade.
- I'd germinate the seeds first and then transplant the seedlings out into the ground later this year. Also, I'd germinate all the seeds you have. This allows you to select the most vigorous seedlings to transplant.
- A nursery flat, tray, or container filled with pre-moistened potting soil would work. I'd transplant the seedlings into individual containers after they are two inches tall. Buckeyes have a spreading root system instead of a taproot, so planting in containers shouldn't be an issue.
- It would help if you broke open the pods to expose the individual seeds. They should be a shiny bright color. If they have a dull, wrinkled appearance, they may not germinate. If you have poor germination, I'd try it again in the fall with new seed pods.