Berries Plant List

Blackberry Self-fruitful. Blackberries prefer well-drained, organically rich soil. Plant on 4’ centers in a sunny area protected from open winds. Fruit ripens in July. Cut fruit-bearing stems back to ground after harvesting. Store fruit just above freezing. The tender canes benefit from a winter mulch of leaves or straw. The large white flowers in late May are particularly lovely.

Blueberry Blueberries are self-fruitful but produce a bigger crop of fruit if two different varieties that bloom around the same time (early, mid or late season) are planted near each other. At least 6 hours of full sun and sharply draining, acidic soil are essential. Much of the Chicago area’s poorly draining, alkaline soil is the opposite of what blueberries like. For improved drainage and aeration in heavy soil we recommend mixing in shredded pine bark at a 2 to 1 ratio (2 parts pine bark/1 part existing soil). To help make the soil more acidic mix in 1 cup soil sulphur at planting. Then 3x yearly in spring/summer/fall sprinkle 1/2 cup around plant. Deter birds from stealing the berries by draping protective netting over the plants 2-3 weeks before fruit ripens.

Bushel and Berry™ for Pots Petite-sized blackberry, blueberry and raspberry plants are fun for kids and a good choice for the space-challenged. While the plants are small in stature, their regular-sized fruit is big in taste. Perfect for growing in patio pots as well as the garden. Plants grown in pots can be stored in an unheated garage over winter.

Currant Self-fruitful. Currants are an important part of the European kitchen garden. Easy to grow in full sun and any well-drained garden soil. The attractive small shrubs produce flavorful, nutritious berries very high in Vitamin C. The fruit is produced on 2 to 3-year-old wood.

Gooseberry Self-fruitful. Gooseberries prefer full sun and organically rich, well-drained soil. Plant on 4-6’ centers with the lower branches a little below soil level to encourage a bushy shape. Cut tops to 10”. Each spring, remove all weak and 3-year-old canes, Fruit is ready to pick when it’s a blushing pink color, usually in July. Super in pies and jellies.

Grape Self-fruitful. Grapevines prefer full sun and well-drained, organically rich soil. Water carefully until established. Provide sturdy support for them to twine around. A wire trellis, fence or arbor is ideal. Pick when fully ripe. Grapes will keep for 2 weeks in the coldest part of the refrigerator.

Raspberry Self-fruitful. Raspberries prefer full sun and well-drained, organically rich soil. Pick raspberries when fully ripe and store just above freezing. Summer bearers produce one large crop of fruit in the summer on 1-year-old canes. Remove canes after fruiting, as they will not bear fruit again. Everbearers produce two crops of fruit: one in summer on 1-year-old canes, then a smaller one on new canes in fall. Remove canes after fruiting. Leave canes that have not fruited to bear later in the season and the following year. For a single, but bigger, summer crop, cut all canes back to ground after the fall crop. All the plant’s energy will go into this one crop the following summer.

Strawberry Self-fruitful. Strawberries prefer full sun and organically rich, well-drained soil. There are two types: Everbearers produce a steady supply of small fruit from early summer until frost. June bearers produce one crop of large fruit in June. Choose this type if you want to freeze, make jam or can. The first season, most experts recommend removing all flowers to encourage a strong plant. For June bearers, pinch off most of the flowers the first season. Of course, you can leave a few flowers to enjoy some fruit. For everbearers, pinch off all early flowers and allow later flowers to develop into a fine late summer crop.

Type and Name	Size (HXW)	Ripens	Needs Pollinator*
Blackberry
Baby Cakes B- Thornless	3' x 2'	Jul, Sep	No
Chester - Thornless	5' x 3'	Aug	No
Blueberry
Bluecrop - Midseason	5' x 5'	Jul-Aug	Yes
Duke - Early Season	5' x 5'	Jun-Jul	Yes
Glaze B- Midseason	3' x 3'	Jul	Yes
Jelly Bean B - Midseason	2' x 2'	Jul	Yes
Patriot - Early Season	5' x 5'	Jul	Yes
Peach Sorbet B - Midseason	2' x 2'	Jul	Yes
Top Hat - Late Season	2' x 2'	Aug	Yes
Currant
Black Consort	5' x 3'	Jul	No
Red Lake	5' x 3'	Jul	No
Gooseberry
Pixwell - Almost Thornless	4' x 4'	Jul	No
Grape
Concord – Purple Seedless	15' x 20'	Sep	No
Himrod – White Seedless	15' x 20'	Aug	No
Raspberry
Fall Gold - Yellow Everbearer	5' x 4'	Jul - Sep	No
Raspberry Shortcake B- Thornless	3' x 2'	Jul-Aug	No
Strawberry
Everbearing Variety		Jun-Sep
Mignonete-Alpine Everbearing		Jun-Sep

* To get fruit, plant with a different named variety of the same fruit
B = Bushel and Berry petite selection with full-sized fruit