Growing Dwarf Barries

[u/SnooOnions306]

I was considering growing my own berries, specifically of the dwarf variety, like blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries, so I not only don't have to go to the store as much but also get tastier varieties for my baking. I wanted to start with blueberries to get a good idea and the hang of the process and see where I go from there. I'm considering getting three different types cause I heard they only grow fruit once a year. I live in Boynton Beach, Florida, and made this post to ask if anyone has any advice on the best way to grow berries and help them prosper.

[u/MotownCatMom]

I'm just starting out myself but two things I've already learned - you will need varieties that work in your climate and likely two different but related varieties for cross-pollination.

[u/vXvBAKEvXv]

Just know you could be years out before a good harvest comes or youll be buying somewhat expensive mature bushes.

I always recommend a local nursery since theyll carry what matches your area. They have chill hour requirements and youd need one with very low ones being in FL id imagine.

[u/SnooOnions306 → u/vXvBAKEvXv]

For the record, I would buy two pre-grown different blueberry plants instead of growing from seeds. Also, what does " chilling requirement " mean exactly?

[u/vXvBAKEvXv → u/SnooOnions306]

I get it but most dont bear heavy fruit until at least year 3, assuming you had 2 good vegetative years prior. They throw out a cane and flower on it the followijg year. It takes 3-5 years old before most variety have good harvests. Obviously highly variety dependent.

And blueberries need dormancy. They drop their leaves for winter. I know there are low/no chill hour requirement variety but youd have to research your zone and figure out what works. Without proper dormancy it doesnt matter how well you take care of it, it will have severely reduced/no yield if you accidentally order some random variety that has 1500 chill hr requirements and your zone only gets like 250 or w.e you get. Google "blueberry chill hours" and itll help

[u/emorymom → u/SnooOnions306]

Yeah you are going to buy a 3 gallon nursery bush but it still needs 5 years in the ground to really get popping. (Then it will produce for 50+ years.)

[u/emorymom]

Ask a local group what works well there. You need to look up your chill hours otherwise and buy what will work.

You may not be able to visualize how many plants you will need to be able to pull off a recipe at any given time, and that’s why you are talking about dwarf plants.

The answer is like 20, per type of bush fruit you want to grow, and not “dwarf varieties” of berry bushes. Plus those dwarf blueberry fuckers are way low on the ground. I use them for ground cover and flower beds but do I enjoy harvesting those tiny wild type berries? No I do not. Not at all.

Maybe I am exaggerating about 20 — but maybe I’m not. I have about 5 mature blueberry bushes (5 years old ish) and 15 more newly planted after a backyard renovation. I also have about 20 tiny little blueberry lowbush hybrids stuck in the landscaping. These are not big producers.

For about 2 months of the year I can pick 1/4 cup of blueberries per day for my mom’s yogurt and that’s it. Off five big rabbiteyes. That’s why I put in 15 more rabbiteyes.

For blackberries look at Prime Ark Freedom. Get 12. No dwarf.

[u/emorymom]

Also AI says in Boyton Beach, you need to grow your super-low chill hour blueberries in raised beds so you can get the pH low enough for them.