Plant Profiles: Blueberries

Blueberries:

            General info: Rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium ashei) are native to Georgia, and are the best type of blueberries for homeowners to grow. They taste great, are a listed superfood, and are a good source of vitamin C, fiber, and iron.  Blueberries ripen from late May through the middle of July. To lengthen your harvest season, choose several varieties that ripen at different times. Plant in full sun to part-sun. They are semi self-fertile, but will produce more fruit if more than one type is planted to cross-pollinate.

           

            Landscape uses: Specimen shrub, foundation planting or hedge

           

            Ornamental qualities: Spring blossoms; bluish-green leaves in summer; red leaves in fall; red colored stems in fall/winter

           

            Planting: Transplant blueberries the same depth as in the container. Blueberries like acidic soil; mix peat moss with soil when planting and use pine bark as mulch to help retain acidity. Firm the soil around the plant. Prune about 1/3 of the plant back and remove twiggy growth.

           

            Pruning: When the bush reaches 6-8’ in height, begin removing 1 to 3 of the largest canes each winter by cutting back to 2’ or less. In addition, extra-tall stems can be pruned back to 6-8’ in winter.

           

            Fertilizing/Watering: Water the plants throughout the growing season, unless rainfall is adequate. Fertilize with azalea/camellia fertilizer in the spring after new growth begins. (Azalea/camellia fertilizer is low in nitrogen, which blueberries like.) Fertilize again in May & July if rainfall or irrigation has been adequate. Spread the fertilizer under the plant in an 18” circle.

           

Varieties:

            Becki Blue: Early season, light blue, med. to large berries with sweet flavor. Tall, upright grower.

            Brightwell: Vigorous, upright grower produces plenty of medium size fruit early to mid season. Considered one of the top varieties in the world. Named after blueberry developer Dr. James Brightwell of Tifton, GA.

            Climax: Early season, medium to large size berries with good flavor. Prized for abundant crop production. Excellent choice to extend picking time because of its early ripening period. Upright and open growth habit.

           

            Powederblue: Similar to Tifblue, except for the powdery blush on the berries. Ripens mid-season.

Premier: Early season berries. Very productive and easy-to-grow plant size for the home gardener.

Tifblue: Large, light blue, mid to late season berries with excellent flavor. Large, firm fruit are tart until fully ripe. Some consider this variety to be the best in both taste and appearance.

           

            Woodard: Early season, large, high-quality, light blue berries. Vigorous grower.

Plant Profile: Blackberries & Raspberries

Blackberries & Raspberries:

            General info: Blackberries and raspberries (Rubus) are both native American fruit that grows as a small shrub or vine. They are easy to grow, and are productive for 15-20 years. Plants begin to bear in 2-3 years. Raspberries can be red, black, or golden and are ripe when they loose their glossy shine and turn slightly dull.

Blackberries & raspberries produce on biennial (two-year) canes. The canes grow one season, produce fruit the second season, then die. New canes are produced annually, so berries should be present each year.

            Landscape uses: Train along a fence or trellis, or tie up a decorative post.

            Ornamental qualities: White blossoms in late spring; rich green leaves

            Planting: Plant in full sun with room to grow on a two wire trellis. To create the trellis, place stakes/posts at each end with two wires stretched between them. The bottom wire should be 2’ above the ground; the top wire should be 4-5’ above the ground.

            Pruning: Tie the first year’s new growth along the bottom wire. Next season/year, move the canes (now second year, fruiting canes) from the bottom wire up to the top wire. Then, tie the new, first year canes to the bottom wire. Repeat this process each year, pruning off the dead fruiting canes from the previous season to make room for this year’s fruiting canes. Prune the dead canes during the winter.

             Fertilizing/Watering: Fertilize twice a year in spring and summer.

Varieties of Blackberries:

            Arapaho: Thornless. Juicy berries on erect canes. Very productive. Fruit ripens earlier than other thornless varieties.

            Natchez: Thornless. Consistent, high yields of large berries. Excellent flavor. Disease resistant. Benefits from trellising. Upright grower.

Navaho: Thornless. Popular variety produces large crop of medium size, flavorful berries. Upright grower.

Ouachita: Thornless. Abundant producer of large, sweet berries on upright canes.

Triple Crown: Thornless. Bears heavy. Large fruit with excellent flavor. Semi-erect.

Plant Profile: Figs

Figs:

            General info: Figs (Ficus carica) are one of the easiest fruit to grow. They are natives of the Mediterranean region and have been grown for thousands of years. Figs typically perform best when planted in well drained soil and full sun. Some figs have a juvenile period of 3-4 years before they produce a good crop. Figs usually grow to about 15-20 ft. tall and wide and are hardy in zones 8-10.

           

            Landscape uses: Small specimen tree; container tree/bush

           

            Ornamental qualities: Lush, tropical looking leaves; fruit

           

            Planting: Container grown figs do not need to be pruned before planting. Just remove them from the pot, untangle their roots, and plant. Water thoroughly to settle the dirt around the plant and add mulch or pine straw around the base of the plant. Do not put fertilizer in the hole when planting.

           

            Pruning: Any pruning or thinning should be done during the late winter, after the danger of frost is past. Cut out any dead wood, any branches that interfere with the main stems growth, and any unwanted suckers. Prune back to a bud or branch to avoid bare stubs.

           

            Fertilizing/Watering: In good soil, fig trees should need only minimal fertilizing. Mature plants should be fertilized once a year in the spring. If a fig tree is growing too vigorously and is dropping its fruit before they mature, it may be over-fertilized. Although drought tolerant once established, additional water during extremely dry periods will benefit the plant, especially while setting fruit. Yellowing leaves may indicate drought or too much water.

           

Varieties:

            Brown Turkey: Old time favorite with medium to large size fruit. Bell shaped, purplish-brown figs ripen in late summer to early fall. Bears heavily; sometimes two crops a year. Pinkish amber flesh is very sweet and tender. Excellent for canning, jams, drying or eating fresh. Deeply lobed foliage. Cold hardy variety for the South and up the East Coast. Also good for growing in containers.

            Celeste (Malta): Widely planted. Vigorous growers and good fruit bearers. Violet-brown fruit is very sweet and ripens early in the season. Dependable producer of high-quality small to medium figs. Reddish amber flesh with rich honey-like flavor. Excellent for eating fresh, dried, or in preserves. Well adapted to the South and East Coast.

            Italian Black: Heirloom fig grown by the Becnel family in Louisiana for over 100 years. Near black fruit with bright red pulp.

Plant Profile: Persimmons

Asian Persimmon:

           

General info: Asian persimmons (Diospyros) are ornamental trees native to Asia, and are one of the most widely grown fruit in the world. They are easy to grow and do very well in our area. Persimmons can be grown as single or multi-stemmed trees up to approx. 15-25’ high & wide, depending on variety. The fruit ripens in fall, and are popular with hunters to attract wildlife.

Persimmons are classified into two categories: astringent and non-astringent. Non-astringent varieties are crisp when ripe. Astringent varieties must ripen until they are soft and sweet. (Otherwise they are very bitter.)

Landscape uses: Small specimen or shade tree.

Ornamental qualities: Drooping, bluish leaves; golden leaves in fall; showy, brightly colored fruit in fall.

Persimmon trees are also great to take pics with! ;)

Planting: Persimmons tolerate a wide range of soil conditions once established. Plant in full to partial sun.

Pruning: Minimal pruning is necessary. Remove crossing, dead or broken limbs. Pruning to control size may be done if required.

Fertilizing/Watering: Fertilize in spring and mid-summer. Extremes in moisture (drought or soggy conditions) can cause fruit to drop off.

Varieties:

Fuyu: Most popular Japanese persimmon. Non-astringent. Medium size somewhat square-shaped fruit. Reddish-orange skin when ripe. Sweet and crisp like an apple. Excellent for fresh eating or cooking. Bears at a young age. Heavy producer. Ripens in November.

           

Ichi: Non-astringent. Productive, good quality fruit. Early to ripen in September. Dwarf growing variety.

Saijo: Astringent. Small, egg-shaped. Sweet, yellow flesh. Ripens late September to October. Self-fertile. Said to be the best tasting (once ripe).

Chocolate: Non-astringent. Medium sized with chocolaty-colored flesh. Very sweet. Ripens late October to November.