It’s almost December right now as I write, but here is a throwback to July when the raspberries and blueberries were in full production!
In July and August, a handful of raspberries and blueberries is not an uncommon snack for garden visitors.
I have 18 blueberry bushes, some of them 10+ years old, many around 5 years old and a few others about 3 years old, and I have different varieties, early season bearers through late, so we get blueberries from late June through mid September. Since the younger plants are still maturing, each year we continue to see increased production. I have always pruned my blueberries sparingly, but last winter I learned how to properly prune blueberry bushes to increase health and production. (In short, prune away all of the puny little branches, get rid of any sickly-looking branches, leave the healthy upright branches, and don’t be afraid to feel like you’re taking off too much bulk.) I expect this coming year to be the best blueberry year to date!
Raspberries are a different beast… I have about 10 feet of ever-bearing raspberries. I started with 5 plants spaced 2 feet apart about 8 years ago, and now have a solid 10-foot mass of plants. Each year, some send runners into the blueberries and garden plot and I get raspberries in areas I don’t want them. I constantly have to dig these up and give them to friends, or just compost them. Pruning these suckers is endless and almost no amount of pruning and digging up can stop the raspberry juggernaut!
I am looking forward to next year’s growing season even now as this year’s has just come to a close. Cheers!