Raspberry Plants

Raspberry plants are easy enough to grow and care for, but you must understand
how the plant works in order to care for them properly.

Raspberries grow best in a well drained soil with a pH 6.0-6.5. Plant them in the fall or early spring, set them 2" deeper in the soil than they were previously growing. They ideally should be planted about 2' - 2 1/2' apart in rows 7' to 8' apart. Then cut them back to about 4"tall.

When first planted Raspberries will not produce any fruit the first year. They do not produce fruit on new growth, only two year old wood. But the raspberry canes only live two years. So each fall or late summer the spent canes that produced fruit should be removed.

The remaining canes should be topped at about 36", forcing the growth into lateral side branches which should be trained along support wires.

Some Raspberries are summer bearing and some are ever bearing, so make sure you know what yours are so you don't prune them to early and lose out on the that second flush of fruit. If you are not sure wait until fall to prune them. Ever bearing varieties can actually produce
fruit on new growth. This happens in late fall.

Everbearing raspberries are generally grown in hardiness zones 4-7. Summer bearing raspberries are grown in hardiness zones 4-8 depending on the variety.

When pruning it should be easy to distinguish the newest growth from the two
year old growth. Do not remove the new growth unless the plant is just too full.
All parts of the plant need good air circulation and sunlight. Keep that in mind
as you prune.

Not thinning raspberries is a huge mistake. Make sure you thin yours each fall for
good fruit production which should last for about 10 years.

Each spring apply a SMALL amount of 12-12-12 garden fertilizer spread over the root zone, about 1 pound per 10 feet of row.

Growing Potatoes

Potatoes, taters, spuds....by any name they are what they are,
potatoes are a staple in the diet of many people all around the
world and they're also incredibly easy to grow. But
before you run out to the garden with your shovel and hoe,
there are a few things to know about growing potatoes.

Potatoes should not be planted too early while the ground is
still cold. Potatoes do tolerate cool soil and a light frost,
but not much growth will take place until the soil warms up a bit.

Don't rush to your garden center looking for potato seedlings or packets
of potato seeds for sale. Interesting though, potatoes are grown
from seed potatoes. A seed potato is merely ordinary potato with
at least one "eye" or sprout. An amazing variety of seed potatoes
are available at garden centers and in seed catalogs.

Seed potatoes may be planted whole or cut into pieces with at
least one eye per piece. Seed potatoes with more eyes will
grow to produce a larger quantity of smaller potatoes while
seed potatoes with fewer eyes will produce fewer, but larger
potatoes.

If you choose to cut your seed potatoes into smaller pieces,
divide them the day before planting. This will allow the cut to
slightly heal which helps prevent soil-borne diseases from infecting
your crop. Always choose seed potatoes that are free from blemishes.

Plant your seed potatoes two to three inches deep in good, rich soil.
Rows of potatoes should be about three feet apart and the potatoes
within the row should be about a foot apart. Planting your potatoes
in a different area of your garden each year will also help prevent disease
and insect infestations from year to year.

Potato plants will begin to emerge one to three weeks after planting,
depending on the soil temperature. When the plants are about
a foot tall, use your hoe to mound six to eight inches of soil
against the potato plants. You can also use some straw or other mulch
to ensure the little potatoes will stay out of the sunlight that
causes them to be bitter and green.

Potato plants need to be uniformly watered during the growing season.
Fertilizer needs are very important. Spread 1 1/2 pound of 16-16-8 fertilizer
per 100 square feet of planting area or 1 cup per 10 feet of row and mix with
soil before planting. More fertilizer should be added when plants are 6" tall
and again at first blossoming. Use 1/2 cup ammonium sulfate (21-0-0-0 per
10 feet of row.

Once the plants have bloomed, you can begin to harvest little new
potatoes. After the foliage has begun to dry and die back, the
entire crop can be dug. Allow the potatoes to dry for a day or
two out of direct sunlight before storing them in a cool, dry and
dark place.

Potatoes are members of the Nightshade family, the plant has a bitter
poisonous sap in its stems and leaves. When the potato tuber is exposed
to the sun, it turns green and bitter. The chemical produced in this process
is poisonous if ingested in sufficient quantities. If the green layer is removed
when peeled, the potato is still edible.

Garden grown potatoes taste so much better than any can buy, because
you have an investment of work, care and attention in them.
Happy Gardening!!!!

Rotating Crops in your Garden

Practicing crop rotation is very crucial to reduce the plant diseases

and insects that attack your vegetable garden. Crop rotation

simply involves not planting crops of the same family in the

same section of the garden year after year.

Plant diseases and insects are liable to infect or be attracted to

plants of the same family. Some larvae, beetle, scab and etc.

will stay in the soil through the winter. Rotating your crop will keep

these from attacking your plants as quickly.


Some plants are natural deterrent to some diseases and

insects of other plants.. Garlic and onions are of beneficial use to

repel some insects and soil retained diseases.

The crop following another crop should be able to compliment the

soil and be of a beneficial use. Like planting a member of the

cabbage family to offset some of the diseases and insects that

attack potatoes, tomatoes and eggplant.

Replenish your soil by planting a crop that will replace the nutrients

removed by a crop of heavy feeders. Following sweet corn with peas

or beans will help rebuild and revitalize your soil and boost your yields.

Divide your garden into four equal sized sections. Decide which crops

are to be planted in each section. Now decide which section will follow

and compliment each other, and your garden.

Attacting Birds to your Garden and Yard

For a wonderful activity all year long, consider feeding wild birds and
attacting them to your yard/garden. The birds will especially appreciate
your efforts in winter and spring when natural food sources are scarce.
Providing food for birds not only helps the birds, but with all of the bird
activity and their bright colors and chatter it surely liven up an
otherwise drab winter backyard.

Just hanging out birdfeeders and filling them with birdseed may not
be enough to attract birds to your yard. Birds have additional needs besides food,
birds need water for drinking and bathing, along with nesting
spots and shelter from predators.

Maybe you can incorporate water feature in your landscape to
give the birds someting similar to a pond, stream or birdbath.
This would satisfy their need for water. Building a perch for them
to stand on while they get a drink would be a nice touch.
Birds can't drink frozen water so investing in a heating system
would be essential for them in cold climates.

Trees, shrubs and vines provide nesting places and hiding spots
if predators are nearby. Place a few birdhouses randomly to encourage
them to stay for awhile. From a bird's point of view, a yard
that is filled with a variety of both short and tall trees,
bushes, vines and brush piles is more attractive than a vast
expanse of grass punctuated by the occasional small tree. If
your yard isn't a haven for birds, it can easily be transformed
with the addition of suitable trees and shrubs.

Evergreens of all kinds make excellent cover for birds,
especially in winter when their dense foliage blocks the biting
wind. Plants that have fruit that persists throughout winter are
important food sources for birds. You might include bayberry,
hackberry, flowering crabapple, and juniper.

Plant sunflowers, coneflowers and black-eyed Susans, and allow
them to go to seed. These plants will attract goldfinches and
chickadees who will happily feast on the seeds and entertain you
with their cheerful songs and antics. Be sure to plant flowering
plants that will attract th ever popular hummingbirds.

Happy gardening!