Strawberries and blackberries

lovecraft58 3/30/2015, 10:02 am

Can anyone give me advice or direct me to information on square footing strawberries and blackberries? I can't find any info on square footing fruit. I'm trying this for the first time.

**AtlantaMarie** 3/30/2015, 2:18 pm

Hi Lovecraft58. Welcome from Atlanta, GA!

I think GWN has 200 raspberry plants and blackberries. Several have strawberries...

Have you checked the archives? There's a LOT of good info there... Upper left corner under Search...

Welcome again.

**donnainzone5** 3/30/2015, 3:06 pm

Raspberries and (especially!) blackberries will take over an SFG quite easily.

I have mine either in large, individual pots or in separate beds, which have 1" - 2" thick concrete squares for bases.

As to strawberries, I planted mine a couple of years ago, per Mel's instructions, four to a square. The next time I plant a new bed, I may try two per square, at least in some of them, to compare.

**camprn** 3/30/2015, 3:26 pm

I made a bed for the raspberries, with a blend very much like Mel's mix, but with more compost.

SFG isn't designed for canes like blackberries and raspberries. With the strawberries it is better to follow typical practices for growing, managing daughters and replacing plants. BUT, if it goes into well fortified growing medium, the plants will be healthier and more robust.

Mikesgardn 3/30/2015, 7:56 pm

The book covers strawberry plantings. Plant 4 per square, pinch off the blossoms the first year, and cut off all runners as they sprout from the plant (otherwise, the plants will get too crowded). You can get at least 3 years of harvest from those first plantings. You will need to protect them from animals and birds.
Raspberries grow best in a linear hedge. They need a good trellis too. My raspberry bed is 2'x16', planted in a raised bed. I've only had them for 2 years, but I hear they will last a decade or more. I don't protect them, and the animals and birds stay away. But I have heard that is not the case for blackberries and blueberries (one of the reasons I chose raspberries).

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