Growing Summer Fruits

 

How to Grow Grapes

Site selection

Planting grapes on elevated or sloped sites are ideal to reduce frost damage or injury to the vines. However, you shouldn't plant on the crest of a mountain because wind and heavier frost that occurs on mountain tops may damage your vines. Grapes like full sun, and well-drained soil.

Soil preparation

Grapevines are deep rooters and need 24 to 36 inches to root. Planting in loose soil will allow the vine to root deeper and spread out, which will make for a stronger and more productive grapevine that will withstand disease, drought, and frost better. 

It is recommended that no fertilizer be used in the soil where you plant your grapevines because it causes growth spikes, which in turn lowers the quality and quantity of fruit production and encourages disease.

When to plant grapes

Plant grapes in late winter or early spring. If you plant too early, the grapevine may not survive if it has to go through long freezes. It is just as important not to plant when the temperatures are too hot and you have little rain.

Planting the vines

When planting your vines, space them 8 to 10 feet apart, and plant them in rows. Inspect your vine for any infected, dead roots, and remove them. Dig the hole for the vine, and make sure the roots fit the hole without having to bend them to fit the hole. Fill the hole level with the soil, or you may want to go a little higher than the hole.

How to prune and train your vines

Taking the time to care for your vines is crucial to the overall health and growth of your vines. Pruning your vines allows for light distribution, which allows for the growth, and riping of your fruit. It also cuts down on pests and diseases. Training your vines to a trellis or other trellising method.

When to expect the fruit from your labor

It takes approximately 3 to 4 years before you can expect to harvest your grapes. Remember patience is required when planting any new fruit vines or fruit trees, but it's well worth the wait!

Grape varieties

• Concord Is a self-pollinating grape that is ready to harvest in late September. An excellent grape for eating fresh, and for making jellies.
• Pinot Noir Is a red wine grape that can be eaten fresh, or to make wine or grape juice. These grapes are harvested in August.
• Sweet Jubliee These grapes are almost black in color and have a very fruity taste, and are larger than most grapes. These grapes can be harvested from late August to September.
• Champagne Is a very small grape that is firm and crisp. This grape is sweet with a hint of tartness. These grapes are harvested in September.
• Cotton Candy Is a white table grape that is so sweet it tastes like Cotton Candy. These grapes are harvested Mid-July to early September.
• Fry Muscadine This grape has superior disease resistance and is cold-hardy. It produces large fruit with excellent taste. Harvest time for this variety is ready to harvest in Mid August to September.
• Sultana (Thompson seedless) Is your classic seedless, green grape. They are sweet small grapes that can be found in any grocery store. These grapes ripen best in hot climates and are ready from August to September.
• Crimson seedless A table grape that is readily available at the supermarket, these grapes range in color from a dark pink to pinkish-red. Harvest time in the United States is from August to November. 

 How to Grow Blueberries

Blueberries are one of the tastiest and most healthy berries you can eat. These berries are one of the highest in antioxidants and can bolster your immune system. Planting these berries is easy, and requires little care. 

Prepare your soil

Begin by loosening the soil and removing any rocks, twigs, or refuge left from your last plantings. Add good-quality compost to the soil approximately two weeks before planting.

Blueberries need an acidic soil of 4.5 to 5.0. Do a soil test to ensure your soil has the right conditions before you begin planting. If your soil is below the needed level, you can amend coffee grounds the soil, which will bring the acidic level up fast. Blueberry bushes will not grow well in neutral soil and may cause the plant not to produce any fruit. After the bushes are established, and you aren't seeing the growth that you expect, check the PH levels again to ensure your soil still has enough acidic properties. If it doesn't adjust the soil by amending again with the coffee grounds.

When to plant

Most gardeners plant well-established plants as planting from seed takes years to enjoy a harvest of berries. Blueberries should be planted in early springtime. These plants require a good sunny place in your garden, but they also need to be where the sun isn't beating down on them too severely.

Pruning

It is necessary to prune your Blueberries regularly, usually several times a year, if they have already produced berries. If the bushes haven't fruited yet, it isn't necessary to prune unless you see branches or leaves dying in order to prepare for new growth. Early spring is the best time to prune your berry bushes. 

Blueberry varieties

• Early bird is the best variety if you live in the South. To ensure pollination, other varieties will also be needed.
• Tifblue is a self-pollination variety. This blueberry is a cross between Rabbiteye and Highbush.
• Rabbiteye is a great variety if you are new to growing blueberries because it is disease resistant, making it an easy, low-maintenance choice for newbies.
• Northern Highbush is an excellent choice for those who live in cold climate areas. This variety is self-pollinating, however, it can be cross-pollinated with other varieties to increase fruit yields.

How to grow figs

Figs are easily grown in the southern climate regions, however, those living in zones 7 and lower can still grow them in a container so that they can be brought in during the winter months especially if you live where the temperature drops below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. 

These trees are fast growers and can reach a height of 15 to 30 feet tall. If you plant these trees in favorable conditions, they can produce fruit as soon as 2 years. Figs produce 2 times a year with the first harvest in late May to early June and the second harvest in September to November.

When to plant

Plant in early spring when the plant is dormant, and plant them 3 inches deeper than the container that they came in. For bare-root planting, cut back one-half of the length. Figs do fine without fertilizer, but if it starts looking as though the spring leaves are not developing well, you can use a little 10-10-10 to encourage more growth.

Where to plant

Figs are sun-loving trees and need at least 8 hours of full sun. When deciding on an area to plant your tree remember it is a fast grower and grows very large. so choosing an area for it to spread out is best. Figs like loam soil, with lots of organic compost added. it also requires good drainage. 

Fig varieties

Figs are one of the oldest fruits recorded in history dating to the beginning of humankind in Genesis. Four varieties are popular with backyard gardeners because they can produce fruit without fertilization. Below are some you might want to try.

• Celeste (Sugar fig) This fig is cold hardy. This particular fig doesn't produce twice a year. It is a wonderful fig that is good to eat fresh or for canning.

• Black Mission This fig is has dark purple almost black flesh. It has a rich decident flavor that can be enjoyed fresh, or dried. This fig produces twice a season, and good for those living in warmer southern climates. 

• Brown Turkey Is a fig that grows well in zones 7 to 9. This fig most often produces twice a season. The fruit is smaller than the other two varieties and not a rich tasting.

 

 

How to grow Cherry trees

 

Cherries are a "stone fruit," which means they have a pit or stone in the middle of the fruit. Cherry trees can be grown almost anywhere in the country, however, they do like it more on the cooler side. 

Where to plant

Cherry trees are very hardy trees that can tolerate frost, lots of rain, heat, and even poor soil. The best place to plant your tree is in an area with fairly fertile soil that will allow the roots of the tree to expand and grow deep. The tree should also have access to full sun, and well-drained soil. Planting cherry trees in clay soil may cause root rot, so you may want to plant in a raised bed if that is your only option.

When to plant

You should plant cherry trees in early spring or in late fall. When planting your trees also select different varieties that will pollinate each other. Cherry trees also come in an array of sizes such as standard which grow 25 to 40 feet tall, semi-dwarf which grows to 15 to 25 feet tall, and lastly dwarf trees which grow 8 to 12 feet tall. It is advised to plant the trees as far apart as their highest perceived height. Dig your hole twice the size of the root ball, and deep enough to leave 2 inches of the graft union above the soil line. Mulch around the trees to retain moisture.

Caring for your trees

• Make sure if you live in a dry area that you regularly water your trees.
• Prune your trees every winter to encourage new spring wood growth.
• In early spring fertilize your trees with a low nitrogen fertilizer several weeks before they begin to flower. (Don't fertilize in mid-summer) due to the trees needing time to harden off before the colder temperatures.

Harvest

You will have to wait a good three to five years to enjoy your first harvest. Cherries are usually ready to harvest and enjoy in June or July depending on your area. 

Cherry varieties

Sweet Cherries

• Black Tartarian (Early) Sweet taste, a great dessert cherry.
• Black Russian (Mid-Season) Wonderful eaten fresh.
• Bing (Late) harvest. The most flavorful. Most common.

Tart Cherries

• Early Richmond (Early) Great for jams, jellies, and pies.
• North Star (Late) Great for pie, and freezes well.

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