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Planting Tips

We want you to succeed...

 

We offer our Mr. Strawberry seal of approval for these planting tips
- - - follow these instructions and your plants will thrive!

Planting Information for Asparagus

Spacing

  • 12" – 14" between plants unless otherwise specified
  • 6" – 8" between plants is recommended for Purple Passion
  • Furrows should be 8" – 10" deep for most soils
  • Furrows of 8" is recommended for heavier clay–like soils

Irrigation

  • Plants need a well–drained site
  • Lighter soils may require more frequent watering
  • Important to maintain moisture during establishment year

Fertilization

  • Before planting add 5lbs of 10–10–10 per 100 sq ft
  • In establishment year dress in August with 1 lb 10–10–10 per 100 sq ft and work into top 2" of soil
  • In following years use 2lbs 10–10–10 per 100 sq ft in early spring and again following harvest
  • Lime, bone meal, and super phosphate help maintain proper soil levels
  • pH: 7.0–7.2 This is very important

Weed Control

  • Ferns will die back naturally in the fall
  • Mulching dried ferns with mower in fall will reduce weed pressure
  • Contact a local extension for chemical recommendations

Planting Information for Blackberries

Spacing

  • Blackberries should be planted 3’–4’ apart
  • Recommend 8’–12’ between rows depending on machinery

Irrigation

  • Soak in water using Agri-gel™ for 1–2 hrs before planting (except TC plugs)
  • Water thoroughly after planting
  • 1"–2" rainfall or equivalent per week

Fertilization

  • Before planting add ½ – ¾ lb of 10–10–10 per 100 sq ft
  • Commercial growers should use 500 lbs per acre
  • An additional 1lb of 10–10–10 per 100 sq ft can be applied in July or August and in early spring in following years
  • pH: 6.5–6.8

Weed Control

  • Regular cultivation is necessary during growing season
  • Roots are shallow – don’t cultivate more than an inch deep
  • Mulching during establishments can help control weeds
  • Contact a local extension for chemical recommendations

Trellis

  • We suggest plants are supported by a 5–wire trellis or put into a staked–hill system.

Planting Information for Blueberries

Spacing

  • 4’–5’ between plants
  • 8’–12’ between rows
  • Be careful not to plant too deeply

Irrigation

  • Keep soil moist throughout the establishment period

pH Requirements

  • For best results, amend pH levels before planting, however, plants can be successfully established without prior pH adjustments if you follow our instructions
  • Measure/maintain pH levels regularly for best success
  • Adding sulfur may be necessary to adjust pH: 4.5–4.8 this is very important

Fertilization

  • Wait 4–6 weeks after planting before fertilizing to avoid burning roots
  • Year 1– 1oz ammonium sulfate in a circular band around each plant
  • Following years – 2oz per plant at bloom time and again 1 month later
  • Don't fertilize after July
  • Avoid fertilizers containing potassium chloride

Weed Control

  • Mulch with 3"–4" wood chips
  • Avoid treated or colored bark mulch
  • Regular manual weeding is necessary

Special Considerations

  • For best production at least 2 blueberry varieties should be used for cross-pollination

Planting Information for Currants

Spacing

  • 3’ – 4’ within row unless otherwise noted
  • Rows should be at least 6’ apart
  • Choose a sunny location, but avoid southern exposure

Irrigation

  • Planting on a slope facilitates drainage
  • 1" – 2" rainfall or equivalent per week
  • Maintain adequate moisture especially following planting
  • Gooseberry fruit will sunburn more easily if soil is too dry

Fertilization

  • None is required during the planting year
  • In following years, 5oz. of 10–10–10 per plant in spring or split with half in spring half in summer
  • pH: 6.0 – 6.5

Weed Control

  • Cultivation by scuffle hoe or manual weeding is needed
  • Mulch will assist with weed control
  • Straw, sawdust or woodchips can be applied at 2" – 4"
  • Contact a local extension before using chemicals

Pruning

  • Black currants have different pruning needs from red currants and gooseberries. See pruning guides for specific techniques.

Special Considerations

  • Black currants produce better with 2 or more varieties

Planting Information for Elderberries

Spacing

  • 3’ – 6’ between plants
  • 10’ – 12’ between rows
  • Plant at same depth as grown in the nursery, all roots should be well covered.

Irrigation

  • Keep soil moist throughout the establishment period
  • Between flowering and through harvest, 1 inch water via rain or by hand is recommended

Fertilization

  • No fertilizer in the planting year
  • In succeeding springs, mix 1 cup 10–10–10 per plant in a circle around the plant
  • Does well with various animal manures – apply manure or compost after plants begin to grow
  • pH: 6.0 – 6.8

Weed Control

  • Thorough, manual weeding is necessary, but do not cultivate deeply. Roots are fibrous and shallow. Generally once established a thick planting will suppress weeds on its own.
  • Compost or straw mulch will help

Special Considerations

  • Elderberry plants are generally free of pests
  • Birds absolutely love elderberry and an un-protected bush can be stripped clean as soon as berries turn color! Netting seems to work best.
  • Plants will fruit in second year, and those canes should be removed late that fall, and every fall thereafter, cut out the fruiting canes. The growth habit of these new varieties makes it easy to prune and maintain a nice bush.

Planting Information for Gooseberries

Spacing

  • 3’ – 4’ between plants
  • Rows should be at least 6’ apart
  • Choose a sunny location, but avoid southern exposure

Irrigation

  • Planting on a slope facilitates drainage
  • 1" – 2" rainfall or equivalent per week
  • Maintain adequate moisture especially following planting
  • Gooseberry fruit will sunburn more easily if soil is too dry

Fertilization

  • None is required during the planting year
  • In following years, 5oz. of 10–10–10 per plant in spring or split with half in spring half in summer
  • pH: 6.0 – 6.5

Weed Control

  • Cultivation by scuffle hoe or manual weeding is needed
  • Mulch will assist with weed control
  • Straw, sawdust or woodchips can be applied at 2" – 4"
  • Contact a local extension before using chemicals

Pruning

  • Black currants have different pruning needs from red currants and gooseberries. See pruning guides for specific techniques.

Special Considerations

  • Black currants produce better with 2 or more varieties.

Planting Information for Horseradish

Spacing

  • 10" – 12" between plants
  • 3’ between rows
  • Plant at 45° angle with flat end facing up
  • Flat end should be about 1" below soil surface

Irrigation

  • Keep soil moist throughout the establishment period

Fertilization

  • Does not need a lot of fertilization
  • Fertilize in spring with 5lbs of 10–10–10 per 100 sq ft
  • pH: 6.2 – 6.7

Weed Control

  • Regular, manual weeding is recommended
  • Consult a local extension before using chemicals

Special Considerations

  • Harvest roots the 2nd fall after planting
  • If not harvested, divide roots every year or two

Planting Information for Raspberries

Spacing

  • 18" – 24" or reds and yellows; 20" – 24" for blacks
  • Blackberries should be planted 3’ – 4’ apart
  • Recommend 8’ – 12’ between rows depending on machinery

Irrigation

  • Soak in water using Agri-gel™ for 1 – 2 hrs before planting
  • Water thoroughly after planting
  • 1" – 2" rainfall or equivalent per week

Fertilization

  • Before planting add ½ – ¾ lb of 10–10–10 per 100 sq ft
  • Commercial growers should use 500 lbs per acre
  • An additional 1lb of 10–10–10 per 100 sq ft can be applied in July or August and in early spring in following years
  • pH: 6.0 – 6.5

Weed Control

  • Regular cultivation is necessary during growing season
  • Roots are shallow – don’t cultivate more than an inch deep
  • Mulching during establishments can help control weeds
  • Contact a local extension for chemical recommendations

Trellis

  • We suggest plants are supported by a trellis

Planting Information for Rhubarb

Spacing

  • 3’ between plants
  • 5’ – 6’ between rows
  • Set buds about 1" below soil surface

Irrigation

  • Keep soil moist throughout the establishment period

Fertilization

  • Mix ¼ cup of 10–10–10 per plant into topsoil before planting
  • In succeeding springs, mix 1 cup 10–10–10 per plant in a circle around the plant
  • Does well with various animal manures – apply manure or compost after plants begin to grow
  • pH: 6.0 – 6.8

Weed Control

  • Thorough, manual weeding is necessary
  • Compost or straw mulch will help

Special Considerations

  • Do not harvest the first year
  • Immediately snap off any seed stalks that appear since they will restrict the plants’ growth

Planting Information for Strawberries

Spacing

  • 12” – 18” between plants unless otherwise noted
  • 3’ – 4’ between rows
  • Depth – see our Planting Guide for detailed charts

Irrigation

  • Water thoroughly after planting
  • 1”-2” rainfall or equivalent per week, depending on soil

Fertilization

  • Mix ½-1lb of 10-10-10 per 100 sq ft into soil before planting
  • Add supplementary fertilizer in July and August
  • pH: 6.5-6.8

Weed Control

  • Prepare your site prior to planting
  • Control weeds before they start with a granular herbicide
  • Proper mulching will aid in weed control

Winter Protection

  • Cover plants with straw to protect the crowns
  • Apply mulch after several good frosts
  • Remove mulch in early spring before new growth