Growing soft fruit such as strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, currants, and gooseberries is a rewarding experience that can fill your garden with fresh, juicy produce throughout the summer. Soft fruit plants are easy to grow, and with the right care, they’ll provide a plentiful harvest year after year. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to grow a variety of soft fruits, including the best varieties, planting tips, and essential care instructions.
Why Grow Soft Fruit?
Soft fruits are a fantastic addition to any garden. Here’s why you should consider growing them:
- Fresh and delicious: Nothing beats the taste of freshly picked berries straight from the garden.
- Nutrient-rich: Soft fruits are packed with vitamins, fibre, and antioxidants, making them a healthy snack.
- Easy to grow: With a bit of attention, soft fruit plants thrive in most gardens and can even be grown in containers.
- Long harvest season: By growing a variety of soft fruits, you can enjoy fresh produce from early summer through autumn.
Best Soft Fruits to Grow
Here are some popular soft fruits that are easy to grow in UK gardens:
1. Strawberries
Strawberries are one of the most popular and easiest soft fruits to grow. They can be grown in beds, containers, or even hanging baskets. Varieties like ‘Cambridge Favourite’ and ‘Elsanta’ are reliable and productive.
2. Raspberries
Raspberries are perfect for adding to desserts or making jams. There are two main types: summer-fruiting varieties, such as ‘Glen Ample,’ and autumn-fruiting varieties, like ‘Autumn Bliss,’ which extend the picking season.
3. Blackberries
Blackberries are vigorous and hardy, producing large, juicy berries. Varieties like ‘Loch Ness’ and ‘Thornfree’ are perfect for growing in UK gardens and provide a heavy yield of fruit.
4. Gooseberries
Gooseberries are highly versatile, used in jams, desserts, or eaten fresh. Try growing the variety ‘Invicta,’ which produces large green berries and is resistant to mildew.
5. Redcurrants and Blackcurrants
Both redcurrants and blackcurrants are packed with flavour and nutrients. Varieties like ‘Rovada’ (redcurrant) and ‘Ben Connan’ (blackcurrant) produce heavy crops and are perfect for cooking or making cordials.
Where to Plant Soft Fruit
Choosing the right location for your soft fruit plants is essential to their success. Here’s what you should consider:
1. Sunlight
Most soft fruits thrive in full sun, so choose a location that gets at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. Some varieties, like blackberries and currants, can tolerate partial shade but will fruit better with more sun.
2. Soil
Soft fruits prefer well-drained, fertile soil that retains moisture without becoming waterlogged. If your soil is heavy clay or sandy, improve its structure by incorporating organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure before planting.
3. Shelter
Soft fruit plants, especially raspberries and blackberries, benefit from a sheltered position to protect them from strong winds that can damage canes or scatter fruit.
How to Plant Soft Fruit
1. When to Plant
The best time to plant soft fruit is in late autumn or early spring while the plants are dormant. Bare-root plants should be planted in early spring, while container-grown plants can be planted throughout the growing season.
2. Planting Strawberries
- Plant strawberries in rows, spacing the plants about 30cm apart, with 75cm between rows.
- Ensure the crown of the plant (where the leaves meet the roots) is level with the soil surface.
- Water thoroughly after planting and mulch around the plants to help retain moisture.
3. Planting Raspberries
- Summer-fruiting raspberries should be planted about 45cm apart, with 1.8m between rows.
- Autumn-fruiting varieties can be spaced closer together, around 30cm apart.
- Water well after planting and provide a support system, such as posts or wires, to keep the canes upright as they grow.
4. Planting Blackberries
- Plant blackberries 1.5-2m apart, as they can be vigorous growers.
- Install support wires or a trellis to train the canes and keep the plants manageable.
5. Planting Gooseberries and Currants
- Plant gooseberries and currants about 1.5m apart in well-drained soil.
- They can be grown as bushes or trained against a wall or trellis if space is limited.
Caring for Soft Fruit Plants
Soft fruit plants are relatively low-maintenance, but they do require regular attention to ensure healthy growth and productive harvests.
1. Watering
Water your soft fruit plants regularly, especially during dry periods and while the fruit is developing. Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid waterlogging the plants.
2. Mulching
Apply a thick layer of organic mulch, such as straw or compost, around the base of the plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil structure.
3. Feeding
Feed soft fruit plants in early spring with a general-purpose fertiliser or well-rotted manure. For strawberries, apply a high-potassium feed once the flowers appear to encourage fruiting.
4. Support
Raspberries, blackberries, and other cane fruits need support as they grow. Install a simple wire support system or trellis to prevent the canes from flopping over and to keep the fruit off the ground.
Pruning Soft Fruit Plants
Pruning is essential for maintaining healthy soft fruit plants and ensuring good yields.
1. Pruning Strawberries
Strawberries don’t require much pruning, but after fruiting, you can remove old leaves to encourage fresh growth. Replace your strawberry plants every 3-4 years to maintain productivity.
2. Pruning Raspberries
- For summer-fruiting raspberries, prune the old canes that have fruited down to the ground after harvest.
- Autumn-fruiting varieties should be cut back to ground level in late winter or early spring.
3. Pruning Blackberries
Blackberries should be pruned in late winter. Cut back old canes that have fruited and tie in new growth to the support system.
4. Pruning Gooseberries and Currants
Prune gooseberries and currants in late winter or early spring. Remove any dead or damaged wood and thin out crowded branches to improve air circulation.
Harvesting Soft Fruit
Harvest times vary depending on the type of fruit you’re growing. Here’s what to expect:
- Strawberries: Harvest when the berries are fully red and come away easily from the plant. Regular picking will encourage more fruit.
- Raspberries and Blackberries: Pick the fruit when it’s fully coloured and comes away from the canes with a gentle pull.
- Gooseberries: Harvest gooseberries in early summer when they are still firm for cooking or later when they are softer and sweeter for eating fresh.
- Currants: Pick red and blackcurrants when the fruit is fully coloured and the berries are plump.
Common Pests and Diseases
While soft fruit plants are generally robust, there are a few common pests and diseases to watch out for:
1. Birds
Birds love soft fruit, so protect your plants with netting as the fruit begins to ripen.
2. Aphids
Aphids can attack young shoots and leaves. Use insecticidal soap or encourage natural predators like ladybirds to keep aphids under control.
3. Powdery Mildew
This fungal disease can affect soft fruit plants, especially in humid conditions. Improve air circulation by thinning plants and avoid overhead watering.
Final Thoughts
Growing soft fruit in your garden is a rewarding way to enjoy fresh, home-grown berries all summer long. Whether you’re growing strawberries in containers, raspberries along a fence, or a mixed berry patch in your garden, soft fruit plants are easy to care for and offer delicious harvests year after year.
At Marshalls Garden, we have a wide range of soft fruit plants and growing supplies to help you get started. Visit us online to explore our collection and grow your own bountiful harvest of berries today!