As I monitor the growing popularity of food plants it is impossible to ignore the interest in small fruiting plants like strawberries, raspberries and the like. Fact is, there are many berry producing plants that grow in virtually every growing zone of Canada. Winter hardiness is indeed a 'plus' with strawberries, raspberries, Saskatoon berries [thus the name!] and currents [though, black currents are less winter hardy than red and white currents].
If space is limited start your 'berry garden' with a current bush and/or some strawberries. A current matures to about a meter and a half high and wide, strawberries are ground hugging 'ground covers' that multiply by runners that extend out over the top of the soil. A strawberry planter is a great way to take advantage of space while maximizing the fruit bearing potential of the plants. Look for decorative clay planters at your local garden retailer.
Raspberries are divided into two groups: July bearing and late summer/fall bearing. I prefer to grow the late bearing as they produce over a much longer period of time, often up to 8 weeks and they produce fresh, sweet fruit when they are hard to find at the local super market and fruit store. In July raspberries are easy to find fresh in most parts of the country.
All fruit bearing plants require lots of sun for best performance, though black currents can take up to a half day of shade and still perform quite well.
Be sure to harvest your fruit as it becomes ripe to encourage the plants to keep on bearing!
Now is the time of year to plant all fruit bearing plants. You should find a good selection of plants at your local retailer.
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