[vc_row overlay_colour=”#d7e1e3″ swatch=”swatch-white”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner align=”left” align_sm=”center” width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]This might surprise you, but if you love berries and dream of growing your own someday, this is the best time to get started! Winter may not make you think of juicy raspberries or plump blueberries, but we just got in a fresh stock of berries here at the nursery and wanted to share why you need to be planting berries now to enjoy a berry lovely harvest this summer.
Here at Luis’ Nursery in Visalia, we have in stock the very best assortment of berries, including blackberries, boysenberries, blueberries and raspberries. We also have several varieties of grapes and figs to add to the mix. The timing couldn’t be better, either, as these are all perfect for yourself – and great as a unique gift idea for the berry-loving friends in your life too![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner align=”right” align_sm=”center” width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”1258″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”0″ scroll_animation=”fadeInRight” size=”full” image_stretch=”normalwidth” overlay=”none” item_link_type=”no-link” captions_below=”hide” captions_below_link_type=”item” caption_align=”center” hover_filter=”none” hover_filter_invert=”image-filter-onhover” button_text_zoom=”View Larger” button_text_details=”More Details” overlay_caption_vertical=”middle” overlay_animation=”fade-in” overlay_grid=”0″ overlay_icon=”link”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]
When is the best time for planting berries, grapes and figs in Central California
Winter may not make you think of planting berries, but it’s the perfect time of year to get them started. Here in Central California, our ground doesn’t hard freeze, which makes it possible to start new plants. But it is cold enough that they will have a dormant season to give the new bushes and vines time to slowly establish themselves before spring’s explosive growth.
Your first step for planting berries is to decide how many bushes you want. Check how much space you have in the garden and let us know when you’re shopping here at Luis’ Nursery. We can help you decide how many will fit in your space. For fun, here’s a general idea of how much your berries will produce once they are established:
- Blackberries about 1 quart per plant
- Blueberries average 3 to 4 quarts per plant
- Raspberries will give you from 1 to 2 quarts per plant
How to grow berries
Blueberries are a gift that keeps on giving. If you plant them in the right location and give them plenty of water, they will give you a great harvest for decades. You can even grow some in pots, too, so don’t forget to ask which types will work best for pots when you’re buying.
Here at the nursery, we have many varieties of berries to choose from, including:
- BLUEBERRIES: Sunshine, Jubilee, Pink Lemonade, O’Neil, Southmoon, Reveille, Emerald, Misty Southern, Sharp Blue, and Jewell Southern
- RASPBERRIES: Golden Raspberry, Baba Red, and Caroline Raspberry
- BLACKBERRIES: Navajo, Chester, Prime Ark, Kiowa, Olallie, Black Satin, and Triple Crown
When planting berries you want to choose a sunny spot with soil that will drain well. Some shade is OK but remember that more sunshine equals more fruit. Top newly planted berries with several inches of mulch, water well and provide regular water until they are established.
How to grow grapes
You don’t need to own a vineyard to have fresh grapes. All you need is some space in your backyard, well-drained soil and lots of sun. Here at Luis’ Nursery, we have several varieties of grapes to choose from, including:
GRAPES: Vitis, Ruby Seedless, Princess Seedless, Red Globe, Black Monukka
Grapes need full sun all day no matter where you live, and well-drained soil free of weeds or grass so grapes get all the nutrients they need without competition. Grape root systems can grow deep, so soil that is well-cultivated is best. Grapes can also be grown to hang from trellis or arbors, just ask our professional staff here at Luis’ and we can help you plan for that, too.
How to grow figs
Figs are great to grow here in California as they are drought tolerant, love the sun, and like well-drained soil. Here at Luis’ Nursery, we have several varieties of figs to choose from, including:
FIGS: Panache “Tiger” Fig, Peters Honey Fig, Violette de Bordaux, Black Mission, Janice Seedless Kadota
When choosing a site for your figs, remember that they like to spread out so give them lots of room. They are pretty low maintenance, though, and require little or no pruning.
Berries, figs and grapes are universally loved and make a unique gift that will keep on giving for years to come. We invite you to visit us at the nursey to pick out a few and get a head start to create your own backyard berry harvest this summer.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
