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Ever want to grow your own fruit? Well the best choice just might be grapes and berries! They are much more adaptable to the average home garden than fruit trees. They require less space, start producing in a shorter period of time, and generally need less care.All fruit crops will produce best with full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Here are the most popular small fruits to grow in Western North Carolina: Strawberries: They bear fruit the second year and a bed may produce for 3 to 4 years. Plant strawberry plants in March or April. When plants begin to flower, remove all flowers the first year. Keep the bed weed free. Mulch will help. Blueberries: Highbush blueberries are native to western North Carolina. Blueberries need a very acid soil - ph 4.2 to 4.8, so it is important to do a soil test before planting. Well maintained blueberry bushes may produce berries for 20 years. Blackberries and Raspberries: Brambles are also fairly easy to grow. They will begin to bear the second season and the patch may last several years if maintained. Annual pruning is important and some varieties require a trellis. Grapes: American bunch grapes can be grown in Western North Carolina, though they require more care than the other small fruits. Vines can produce for many years if pruned annually and with regular pest control. Please note: Muscadines are not reliably cold hardy and wine grapes (viniferas) are difficult because they are very prone to disease. (Image provided by Buncombe County.)
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