Transplanting Raspberry Canes

Raspberries are one of my favourite fruits so I feel quite lucky to live quite close to a U-pick raspberry farm.  Raspberries even at the U-pick are likely the most expensive local fruit at $2.25 per pint.  The reason for this is raspberries deteriorate rapidly after picking with a refrigeration life of about 2 days.  I usually buy the amount of raspberries I will use that day.  I have never grown raspberries but have decided to put in a raspberry patch this year either here if we stay or at the new house if we move.  Things are still up in the air so I'm moving forward as planned.

Raspberries are either spring or fall bearing from what I have found.  Not only is the fruit delicious but the leaves can be dried for raspberry tea.  According to the research I've done the canes should be planted a foot apart and the roots kept moist after transplanting.  Here is a video I found that explains how to transplant raspberry canes.

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010

How to Grow Strawberries Indoors

Strawberries can be grown year round indoors.  If you live in a cold winter climate area simply bring in any potted strawberry plants then place them in a sunny location where you will be able to enjoy fresh strawberries throughout the winter.  If your strawberries are in the ground either in traditional row gardening or raised beds, plant a few up in pots to grow on a sunny windowsill during the winter months.  This short video shows the basics of planting strawberry plants for indoor use during the winter.  Note that the soil should be kept moist when growing strawberries indoors.  Do not let it dry out.

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010

How to Plant Strawberries in a Raised Bed Garden

I grow strawberries in hanging and vertical containers as well as in raised beds.  We also have a few rogue strawberries growing on our property.  Planting strawberries is as easy as planting any other vegetable plant in your edible garden.  Here is a short video showing the technique.  Following the video are my comments on the video. 

In general I prefer to not use peat pots in my garden beds because they are not as eco-friendly as once thought.  Strawberries actually prefer to be a bit on the crowded side so when planting space them a bit closer together.  My last strawberry bed was 4' x 8' crammed one end to the other with strawberry plants and then overflowing onto the garden paths.  It started with 4 strawberry plants I brought from the last house then planted in that bed taking less than 2 years to fill the bed.  Strawberries are sun not shade loving plants but I still got a fairly decent yield in partially shaded conditions. 

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010

How to Plant Strawberries in Expandable Strawberry Tower

Strawberries are one of the easiest garden fruits to grow.  They are relatively problem free plants although they can be a bit invasive due to the runners.  Strawberries are ideal for growing in strawberry pots or towers taking advantage of vertical space.  This makes them ideal patio and balcony plants.  The next few posts will give strawberry growing ideas for small space and container gardening.  The following short video shows how easy it is to plant strawberries in an expandable strawberry tower.  

Happy Gardening!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2010