Blueberries | Season | Attributes |
---|---|---|
Bluecrop | Mid | Light blue berry, good dessert quality. Vigorous, upright growth with fiery-red fall foliage. |
Blueray | Early/Mid | Large powder blue fruit. Sweet, and slightly tart. Rosy-pink flowers turn bright white in full bloom. |
Elliot | Late | Large sweet, slightly tart berries in September! Burgundy wood and grey green leaves. |
Jewel | Mid | Abundant crops of the largest Southern Highbush berries with a sweet, tangy flavor. Upright habit. Long harvest period. |
Misty | Early | Vigorous and prolific producer of med. sweet juicy berries. Smaller plant. Nice fall color. |
O’Neal | Early | Very sweet, med. sized light blue fruit. Southern Highbush that is the earliest to ripen. |
Pink Lemonade | Mid/Late | A hybrid of a Rabbit eye and a Southern Highbush. Beautiful interior and exterior pink color develops with peak ripeness. Tastes just like a “blue”berry! |
Reveille | Early | Medium to large, light blue, firm fruit with a pleasantly distinct flavor. Easy to grow variety that thrives in either hot climates, or cool coastal areas. Upright growth |
Sharpblue | Early | Berries are dark blue, dime-sized, with excellent flavor and texture. |
Sunshine Blue | Early/Late | Med. size, sweet and tangy. Semi-dwarf. Great in pots! Can produce year round. Fall color. |
Balckberries | ||
Black Satin Thornless | – | Large, firm, glossy black berries bursting with flavor when ripe. Highly disease resistant and productive with minimal suckering. |
Chester Thornless | – | Semi erect canes produce large, sweet, dark berries. Flavorful even before peak ripeness. Disease resistant. |
Olallie | – | Big ‘ol, shiny, firm berries that are more sweet than tart than other blackberries. Great for pies. |
Triple Crown Thornless | – | Named for its three crowning attributes: Flavor, productivity, and vigor! Large, firm juicy berries ripen mid-summer. |
Boysenberry Thornless | – | A hybrid of blackberry, raspberry, dewberry and loganberry. Fruits are large, dark maroon in color with an intense, tangy, sweet flavor. |
Brambles | ||
Marionberry | Midsummer | Excellent flavor, berries produced on arching canes, perfect for pie |
Prime Ark Freedom | Midsummer | New thornless blackberry with large, great flavor fruit |
Superlicious! | Midsummer | Compact thornless gourmet blackberry, good in pots |
Thornless Boysenberry | Midsummer | Huge sweet berries on thornless, arching canes |
Triple Crown | Midsummer | Thornless variety with excellent quality berries |
Goji Berry | ||
Crimson Star | Late Summer | Larger berry, self fertile, good taste |
Cranberry & Lingonberry | ||
American Cranberry | Late Summer | Shines in fall with berries & colorful foliage. Tart taste |
Lingonberry | Midsummer | Evergeen, blooms twice a year & is great in containers. Tart taste |
Currants | ||
Crandall Black | Midsummer | Self fertile. Large, tasty black currant that grows well |
Primus White | Midsummer | Self fertile. Compact grower with sweet & tasty currant |
Red Lake | Midsummer | Self fertile. Abundant crops with excellent flavor |
Grapes | ||
Black Monukka | Early/Mid Season | Large seedless purple/black table grape with good flavor |
Canadice | Early Season | A variety that does it all – snacks & salads to jelly, juice, & wine |
Catawba | Mid/Late Season | Spicy flavored red slipskin variety, good fresh or for wines |
Concord Seedless | Mid September | Slipkin blue/black grape, great fresh or for juices/wines |
Flame Seedless | Early Season | Crisp firm red table grapes that are easy to grow |
Himrod Seedless | Early Season | Abundant golden yellow table grape with good flavor |
Interlaken | Mid/Late August | Seedless & self-pollinating variety |
Jupiter | Mid September | Large, nearly seedless, blue-black fruit with muscat flavor |
Reliance Seedless | August | Deep red fruit great for eating fresh |
Ruby Seedless | Mid/Late Season | Large clusters of sweet red grapes, self fertile |
Siegerrebe | Early September | High quality white wine grape from Germany for Western Washington |
Suffolk Red | Mid/Late Season | Excellent seedless red grape with good size & flavor |
Vanessa | Early Season | Good producer of sweet, firm red seedless fruit |
Honeyberries | ||
Borealis | Early/Mid Season | Upright variety 3′ to 5′ tall with large, tasty berries |
Cinderella | Early/Mid Season | Upright variety roughly 4′ tall x 3′ wide, excellent flavor |
Maxie | Early Summer | Newer Yezberry variety w/large, tasty berries. |
Sugar Pie | Early Summer | Newer Yezberry variety w/great taste & compact size. |
Tundra | Late Season | Upright variety, high quality berries like blueberries |
Raspberries | ||
Anne | Everbearing | The largest (quarter-sized!) & best tasting of the yellow raspberries. Highly adaptable to cooler summers. Self-fruitful. |
Canby | Springbearing | The only truly “thornless”, red raspberry. Large, firm, juicy berries are good for all uses. Heavy summer harvest in Bay Area climate. Aphid and viroid resistant. |
Caroline | Everbearing | Very productive large, firm, juicy berries with rich, true raspberry flavor. Berries ripen as early as June, then again in Fall. Tolerant to root rot and has high resistance to gray mold. |
Fall Gold | Everbearing | Big conical, non-crumbling golden berries with extremely sweet flesh. Great for canning or fresh desserts! |
Heritage | Everbearing | Larger, firm, deep red berries. Classic flavor! Great fresh or preserved. Vigorous, hardy canes which may not need staking. |
Strawberries | ||
Albion | Everbearing | Long, conical, firm fruit w/ excellent flavor and disease resistance. Prefers rich, well-drained soil. Bears all summer long where weather is mild. |
Cabrillo | Everbearing | An abundance of medium to deep-red flavorful firm fruit of the highest quality and longest shelf life. Disease resistant. |
Chandler | June-bearing | Fruit size is med. to large, high yielding, brilliant red color, and excellent flavor. A vigorous, early variety producing many runners. Fairly resistant to leaf spot. A taste test winner! |
Monterey | Everbearing | Large, semi-soft fruit with outstanding flavor and a very unique sweet aftertaste. Plant is vigorous & disease resistant. Best in full sun. An easy berry to grow for “little” gardeners! |
San Andreas | Everbearing | Similar to ‘Albion’ for fruit quality, but with a higher yield. With large, attractive, very flavorful fruit. |
Seascape | Everbearing | Very sweet, large conical-shaped berries, with an attractive, glossy finish from late Spring through Fall. Disease resistant and adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions. |
Shuksan | June-bearing | Huge sweet berries, easy variety to grow & great in pots |
Kiwis | ||
Hardy Male | Sept/Oct | Great pollinator for hardy female varieties |
Issai | Sept/Oct | Self-fertile hardy Kiwi, greenish color & good flavor |
Jenny | Oct/Nov | Self-fertile female, but will yield more with a male planted near |
Ken’s Red | Sept/Oct | Female hardy Kiwi, abundant red fruit, needs male |
Kiwi Magic | Sept/Oct | Hardy grape kiwi with both male & female plants grown together |
Pasha | August | A good pollinator, does not bear fruit |
Saanichton | Sept/Oct | Female fuzzy kiwi for cooler climates, needs male |
September Sun | Sept/Oct | Female arctic type kiwi with large tasty fruit |
Sweet n’ Solo | Sept/Oct | Fast growing fuzzy kiwi, self-fertile |
Tomuri | Sept/Oct | Vigorous growing, deciduous male pollinator |
Vincent | Sept/Oct | Vigorous fuzzy kiwi for mild climates, needs male |
Olives | ||
Arbequina | Late Summer | Hardy Spanish-type olive, great quality olives good for oil, self-fertile |
Manzanillo | Late Summer | Hardy Spanish type olive with many great uses, self-fertile |
Are you looking to add an array of tiny, delectable fruits to your garden? Look no further than small fruits! These miniature wonders are perfect for home gardens, offering a bountiful harvest and a burst of flavor. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore a variety of small fruit options, providing you with a selection of tasty treasures for your own small fruit garden.
Let’s delve into the world of small fruit varieties, from the sweet tang of blueberries to the exotic allure of figs and kiwis. Discover the joys of growing small fruits and enrich your garden with these delightful additions. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out, our guide will provide you with the knowledge and tips you need for success.
Get ready to explore different types of small fruits, including blueberries, blackberries, figs, grapes, kiwis, currants, and strawberries. With their vibrant colors and vibrant flavors, small fruits are sure to add a touch of sweetness to your garden and your plate. So, grab your gardening gloves and let’s dive into the world of small fruits!
Blueberries: A Sweet Treat for Your Garden
Blueberries are a popular choice for small fruit gardens due to their delectable taste and versatility. With a wide variety of blueberry cultivars available, gardeners can enjoy a range of flavors, sizes, and fruiting seasons. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, growing blueberries can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience.
Blueberry Cultivars
When it comes to blueberry cultivars, there is a diverse selection to choose from. Each cultivar offers unique characteristics, including fruit size, flavor, and ripening time. Here are some popular blueberry cultivars for your small fruit garden:
Blueberry Cultivar | Flavor | Fruiting Season |
---|---|---|
Bluecrop | Sweet | Mid-late season |
Blueray | Tart and tangy | Mid-late season |
Elliot | Sweet and mild | Late season |
Jewel | Sweet | Mid-season |
Misty | Sweet with a hint of tartness | Early season |
O’Neal | Sweet | Mid-season |
Pink Lemonade | Sweet with a hint of acidity | Early-mid season |
Reveille | Sweet and aromatic | Early season |
Sharpblue | Tart and tangy | Early-mid season |
Sunshine Blue | Sweet and juicy | Early-late season |
Growing Blueberries
Blueberries thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Before planting, make sure to amend the soil with organic matter to improve drainage and fertility. Blueberries can be grown in raised beds or containers, making them suitable for small gardens. To ensure successful growth, consider the following tips:
- Choose a sunny location for your blueberry plants.
- Test your soil’s pH level and adjust it to the appropriate range (4.5-5.5) if necessary.
- Plant blueberries in well-drained soil enriched with organic matter.
- Water consistently, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged.
- Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
- Prune regularly to promote air circulation and remove dead or diseased branches.
With proper care and maintenance, your blueberry bushes will reward you with an abundance of delicious berries to enjoy fresh or use in various culinary delights.
Blueberries are not only a tasty addition to your small fruit garden, but they also offer numerous health benefits. Packed with antioxidants and vitamins, blueberries are known for their potential to improve brain health, promote heart health, and support a strong immune system. So why not add these flavorful and nutritious berries to your garden?
Blackberries and Raspberries: Tangy Delights
Blackberries and raspberries, also known as brambles or caneberries, are another option for your small fruit garden. These tangy and flavorful fruits not only add visual interest with their vibrant colors but also make a delicious addition to a variety of culinary dishes.
When it comes to blackberries, popular varieties like Black Satin Thornless, Chester Thornless, Olallie, Triple Crown Thornless, and Boysenberry Thornless are highly recommended for their ease of cultivation and sweet-tart flavors.
Black Satin Thornless: This variety produces large, juicy blackberries on thornless canes, making them easy to harvest. They thrive in full sun or partial shade and require well-drained soil for optimal growth.
Chester Thornless: Chester blackberries are known for their exceptional flavor and productivity. These thornless cultivars produce plump berries with a sweet-tart taste. They can be grown in various climates and soil conditions.
Olallie: Olallie blackberries are prized for their large, firm berries and excellent flavor. They are known for their disease resistance and adaptability to different growing conditions.
Triple Crown Thornless: Triple Crown blackberries are prized for their large, glossy berries and outstanding flavor. They are thornless varieties that are resistant to various diseases.
Boysenberry Thornless: Boysenberry blackberries are a cross between raspberries, blackberries, and loganberries. They have a unique flavor and can be used in jams, jellies, pies, and other delicious treats.
As for raspberries, popular cultivars like Heritage, Canby, Caroline, Joan J, and Fall Gold offer a range of flavors and colors to suit different tastes and preferences.
Heritage: Heritage raspberries are known for their robust flavor and high yield. This ever-bearing raspberry variety produces fruit on both first-year and second-year canes, providing a longer harvesting period.
Canby: Canby raspberries are highly regarded for their large, sweet berries and disease resistance. They are suitable for home gardeners and commercial growers alike.
Caroline: Caroline raspberries are cherished for their exquisite taste and large fruit size. These disease-resistant raspberries are perfect for fresh consumption, baking, or preserving.
Joan J: Joan J raspberries are prized for their unique golden color and sweet, juicy flavor. They are easy to grow and can be enjoyed fresh, frozen, or used in jams and desserts.
Fall Gold: Fall Gold raspberries are well-loved for their bright golden color and exceptional sweetness. This ever-bearing variety produces two crops each year, making it a popular choice among home gardeners.
To grow blackberries and raspberries successfully, provide them with a sunny spot in your garden and well-drained soil. Regular pruning is essential to promote healthy growth, maintain plant shape, and prevent overgrowth. These versatile fruits can be used in jams, pies, desserts, smoothies, or enjoyed fresh for a tangy burst of flavor.
Benefits of Growing Blackberries and Raspberries:
- Rich in antioxidants and vitamins
- Easy to care for and maintain
- Suitable for various culinary uses
- Attractive addition to your garden with their colorful fruits and foliage
- Can be enjoyed fresh or preserved for later use
Fig and Kiwi: Exotic Fruits for Your Garden
For those looking to add some exotic fruits to their garden, figs and kiwis are excellent choices. Fig cultivars like Black Jack, Black Mission, Brown Turkey, Conadria, Desert King, Panache Tiger, and Violette de Bordeaux offer unique flavors and can be grown in containers or small spaces. Kiwi varieties like Issaii and Jenny are “fuzzless” and can be easily grown in home gardens. Figs and kiwis require full sun and well-drained soil. They may need protection from freezing temperatures in colder climates.
Figs | Characteristics |
---|---|
Black Jack | Large, sweet dark-purple fruit |
Black Mission | Medium-sized, blackish-purple fruit with a rich flavor |
Brown Turkey | Medium to large, brown fruit with a milder flavor |
Conadria | Large, green fruit with a honey-like sweetness |
Desert King | Large, yellow-green fruit with a pink interior |
Panache Tiger | Small to medium-sized, green and yellow-striped fruit |
Violette de Bordeaux | Small, dark purple fruit with a rich flavor and reddish flesh |
Kiwis | Characteristics |
---|---|
Issaii | Small, green fruit with a sweet and tangy flavor |
Jenny | Small, green fruit with a smooth skin and tropical flavor |
Grapes: A Classic Choice for Your Garden
Grapes are a classic choice for any small fruit garden. With their versatile uses and beautiful vines, growing grapes can add both aesthetic appeal and a bountiful harvest to your outdoor space. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, grapes are relatively easy to cultivate and maintain.
When selecting grape varieties for your small fruit garden, consider options such as Concord Seedless, Crimson Seedless, Flame Seedless, Golden Muscat, Interlaken Seedless, Princess, Suffolk Red Seedless, and Thompson Seedless. These popular grape varieties are well-suited for home gardens and offer a range of flavors and sizes.
To ensure successful grape cultivation, it’s important to provide them with the right growing conditions. Grapes thrive in full sun and require well-drained soil. Additionally, trellises or arbors can be used to train the vines and create a stunning focal point in your garden.
Regular pruning is essential to maintain the health of grape plants and promote fruit production. Pruning should be done during the dormant season to remove dead or weak wood and encourage new growth. By following proper pruning techniques, you can enhance the overall growth and productivity of your grape vines.
Benefits of Growing Grapes
- Grapes are a versatile fruit that can be enjoyed fresh, dried, or used in various culinary creations such as jams, jellies, and wine.
- Growing grapes provides an opportunity to experience the satisfaction of growing your own food and enjoying the fruits of your labor.
- Grape vines can serve as an attractive landscape feature, adding visual interest and enhancing the overall aesthetics of your garden.
- Grapes are rich in antioxidants and have numerous health benefits, including supporting heart health and boosting the immune system.
- Growing grapes can be a fun and rewarding activity for the whole family, as children can participate in the planting, caring, and harvesting process.
Grape Variety | Flavor Profile | Fruit Size |
---|---|---|
Concord Seedless | Sweet and tangy | Medium-large |
Crimson Seedless | Sweet and crisp | Medium |
Flame Seedless | Sweet and juicy | Large |
Golden Muscat | Fruity and aromatic | Medium |
Interlaken Seedless | Mild and flavorful | Small to medium |
Princess | Sweet and seedless | Large |
Suffolk Red Seedless | Sweet and vibrant | Medium |
Thompson Seedless | Delicately sweet | Medium |
Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or simply enjoy the taste of fresh grapes, growing your own grape vines can be a rewarding and satisfying experience. With the right selection of grape varieties, proper care, and dedication, you can create a thriving small fruit garden that includes delicious homegrown grapes.
Strawberries: A Sweet and Juicy Delight
Strawberries are a beloved small fruit for their sweet and juicy taste. Whether you have a small fruit garden or a few pots on your balcony, growing strawberries can bring a burst of flavor and beauty to your space. There are various varieties of strawberries that thrive in home gardens, such as Albion, Cabrillo, Chandler, Monterey, and San Andreas, known for their exceptional taste and abundance of fruits.
When it comes to growing strawberries, they prefer full sun but can also tolerate partial shade. It’s essential to provide well-drained soil for optimal growth. You can plant strawberries in raised beds, containers, or even matted rows. Consider the type of strawberries you want to grow, as there are two main categories: everbearing and June-bearing.
Everbearing strawberries produce fruit from spring to fall, providing a constant harvest throughout the growing season. On the other hand, June-bearing strawberries focus on producing a single crop in the spring, providing a larger yield of berries. Whichever type you choose, regular maintenance is crucial for a successful strawberry harvest. This includes proper watering, mulching to control weeds, and removing any damaged or diseased foliage to promote healthy growth.
With their irresistible flavor and versatility in the kitchen, strawberries are a delightful addition to any small fruit garden. Whether you enjoy them fresh, turn them into jams and preserves, or add them to desserts and salads, these tiny red gems will surely become a favorite in your garden and on your plate.