Start a Backyard Berry Garden Today

By Scout Nelson

Fresh berries from a backyard garden provide delicious flavor and a rewarding gardening experience for families. Growing berries at home also gives gardeners access to fresh fruit throughout the summer while creating enjoyable outdoor activities for all ages.

Tom Kalb, Horticulturist with NDSU Extension, highlighted that spring is one of the best times to start a berry patch. A sunny location with at least eight hours of direct sunlight is recommended for healthy plant growth and strong fruit production. Gardeners should also avoid low areas where frost may damage plants.

Before planting, weeds and grass should be removed from the site. Some gardeners use herbicides such as glyphosate to remove weeds, while others cover the soil with black tarps for several weeks. Once the soil is prepared, berry plants can be added to the garden.

Strawberries remain one of the most popular backyard berries. June-bearing varieties produce one large harvest during June and often continue producing well for several years. Recommended varieties include AC Wendy, Honeoye, and Jewel. Everbearing and day-neutral strawberries can also provide fruit throughout summer and fall. Popular choices include Ozark Beauty, Albion, and Seascape.

Raspberries also grow successfully in the Dakotas. Summer-bearing varieties such as Latham, Boyne, Killarney, and Nova are known for flavor, winter hardiness, and reliable production. Bare-root plants are often less expensive and should be planted with enough spacing for proper growth.

Gardeners looking for blue-colored fruit may consider haskaps instead of blueberries. Haskaps, also called honeyberries, perform better in prairie soils and dry climates. These berries have flavors similar to blackberry, cherry, and grape. Popular varieties include Indigo Gem, Aurora, Honey Bee, Keiko, and Solo. Two compatible varieties are needed for successful pollination and fruit production.

For more information about gardening, contact your local NDSU Extension agent.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-johnbraid