Growing your own fruit and berries yields many benefits. You can promote your own wellness and help the environment with fresh and tasty treats. Now is the perfect time to plant fruit trees and berries. With a little love and care, a bountiful harvest awaits. Not sure where to start? We are here to help!
UPDATE YOUR LANDSCAPE WITH FRUIT TREES
A Fruit Tree is the gift that keeps on giving, year after year. Every season, they will enhance your landscape with beauty. At Calloway’s and Cornelius, we have a wide variety of fruit trees in stores now!
Stop by and explore yummy tree varieties like Apple, Pear, Peach, Fig, Apricot, and more! Fruit trees offer more than just their tasty fruits, there are many wonderful benefits of growing fruit trees in your landscape.
1. PROMOTE WELLNESS
Plant for the well-being of your household with homegrown fruit. Growing your own fruit gives you more control over what is in your food and where it comes from. Plus, you will love the fresh flavor with each bite. Foods grown organically are rich in nutrients like Vitamin C, Iron, Magnesium, and Phosphorous. Get the family involved and grow together! Involving your family in the edible gardening process encourages healthy eating. Kids are more likely to eat fruit that they grew themselves and they will take pride in their accomplishments.
2. SAVE MONEY
Skip the grocery store lines and enjoy fruit fresh from your backyard! Fruit trees are bountiful, and they will give you fresh fruit for years. After a hefty harvest, you can preserve leftover fruit by making jam and jellies, then can the rest. With proper care, your fruit trees will provide your family with fresh snacks every year!
3. ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
Growing fruit trees can contribute to a healthier ecosystem. You can help reduce the greenhouse effect with each tree you plant. Fruit trees clean the air and provide fresh oxygen to the surrounding communities. They can serve as a filter to trap dust and absorb pollutants in the air. Plus, planting trees can even prevent flooding and soil erosion!
HOW-TO PLANT FRUIT TREES
- Find an open and sunny location in your landscape. Make sure there is access to a water source and room for your tree to grow. Avoid planting in low areas that flood regularly or high ground areas that dry out too quickly.
- Prep the soil with Calloway’s Organic Garden Compost and Expanded Shale. Spread 3 inches of Expanded Shale onto the native soil and till in 3 inches of Organic Garden Compost. This will create a well-draining and nutrient-rich soil.
- Dig a hole that is twice as wide and 1 ½ times the depth of the root ball.
- Fill the bottom of your hole with a mix of compost and expanded shale to enhance the draining system. Add enough so that the top of the root ball is level with the surface.
- Gently remove your tree from the container, as it will help protect the roots. It will also encourage the root system to establish stronger and quicker.
- Center the root ball in the hole and fill in the hole with more compost and native soil.
- Mound the soil around the perimeter to form a water basin. This will allow the water to seep in and avoid run-off.
- Add stakes or a support system to keep your freshly planted tree upright while the roots establish. We have a selection of bamboo, steel, or hardwood stakes available at our store nearest you!
- When you are finished planting, water in thoroughly. Water regularly during the first year while the roots establish. Fruit trees like a consistently moist soil.
CREATE YOUR SMALL SPACE EDIBLE GARDEN WITH BERRIES
Limited space? No problem! You too can enjoy tasty fruits fresh from your patio. Blueberries, Raspberries, and Blackberries are the perfect edible plants for your small space garden. Berries grown in containers allow you to protect your plants from critters, they are easy to harvest, and even easier to move!
BLUEBERRIES
Did you know the modern-day Blueberry was cultivated in the 20th century? Before the 1900’s the only way to find Blueberries was in the wild. Blueberries are high in antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins. They are one of nature’s superfoods because they are full of essential nutrients, minerals, and health-boosting polyphenols.
There are many different varieties of blueberries to enjoy. The Powder Blue Blueberry produces a medium-sized sky-blue blueberry with a firm flesh and sweet flavor. It is very low-maintenance and can tolerate spring frost, heat, and humidity. For a unique Blueberry selection, try the Pink Lemonade Blueberry. It produces a deep pink and surprisingly sweet Blueberry.
BLACKBERRIES
Did you know all Blackberries are perennials? With proper care, the roots survive year after year, but the portion of the plant above the soil that produces fruit, will die off. New canes will grow and replace them. Blackberries are high in antioxidants like Ellagic Acid. Ellagic Acid is known to reduce genetic damage caused by carcinogens like air pollution. Blackberries can also help lower cholesterol and ward off cardiovascular disease.
Check out the Arapaho Blackberry! It is an early ripening and thornless variety. Arapaho Blackberries are sweet and firm. This plant is very prolific and winter hardy. It is also disease resistant and vigorous which means you will have plenty of Blackberries to enjoy.
RASPBERRIES
Raspberries are one of the most popular berries in North America! They make for a tasty addition to smoothies, jams, desserts, and more! Raspberries are an excellent source of Vitamin C which helps support your immune system and fight infections. They are also a great source of fiber and may even protect against disease.
The Dorman Red Raspberry is a vigorous and everbearing plant. It produces large, glossy red berries with loads of flavor.
HOW-TO PLANT BERRIES IN CONTAINERS
- Pick a large container with drain holes for each plant. Make sure there is room for your plant to grow.
- Fill your container with Calloway’s Organic Container Potting Soil, leaving space for your plant.
- Remove the plant from its original container and add your plant.
- Water in thoroughly until water flows of the drain holes. Add more potting soil, if needed.
- To protect the roots and maintain moisture, top with Calloway’s Premium Hardwood Mulch.
- Place your berry container garden in a sunny location on your porch or patio. Avoid any areas with harsh, dry winds.
- To help your plant thrive, water regularly and keep the soil moist.
- Use stakes or a support system to help your plant stay upright.
SHOP FOR PLANTS WITH EASE
At your local Calloway’s and Cornelius, we have convenient ways to shop for fruit trees and berries! Shop our community stores or shop online for Curbside Pickup or Delivery!
Stop by today and explore our entire selection of cool seasonal plants, gardening tools, and so much more! Have questions? Ask our Texas Certified Nursery Professionals; they are here to help!
