The Alternative Way To Grow Berries That Saves So Much Space

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

No matter where you live, you're likely to find at least one berry-producing bush that is perfect for your yard. Blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries are some of the easiest to grow – as long as you choose varieties that can handle your local climate. Gardeners often plant these shrubs next to a fence, since this barrier can slow the spread of raspberry and even give blackberry plants a structure to climb. However, a fence might not feasible for everyone, whether due to yard size or budget. Similarly, the laws in your area might make fence building difficult, including any homeowner's association (HOA) prohibitions. But don't worry — you can still grow juicy delicious berries by planting them in barrels instead. This saves space, makes the plants moveable, and reduces the need for fencing.

To make a berry barrel, you'll need a container that's deep enough for the shrubs to spread out their roots. A depth of at least 2 feet works for a range of berry bushes. Your container can be a barrel, a trough, or another style of raised planter. Also, including organic mulch in your soil mix can keep the soil moist while discouraging weed growth. Wood chips, tree bark, and pine needles are a few options to consider. If you're growing blueberries, consider a low-pH growing medium such as Coast of Maine organic and natural potting soil for acid-loving plants. Planting a blackberry bush or another fruiting shrub that benefits from structural support? Add a small trellis or obelisk to your barrel.

Barrel-grown berry plants are most likely to thrive with plenty of sunlight and water. Fruiting plants generally need about 8 hours of sunshine and soil that drains properly. Make sure whatever container you decide on has drainage holes, since these holes discourage water from collecting around roots — a common cause of root rot. Also, Berry bushes grown in containers need more frequent watering than those grown in the ground — typically 1 to 2 inches a week. Pushing a finger an inch deep in your plant's top soil can tell you if more water is needed. Add moisture if soil particles don't stick to your finger when you remove it from the soil.

To boost your chances of a bountiful harvest, choose berry cultivars with compact growth habits for your barrels. Instagram reel-maker @pikenurseries recommends 'Heritage' raspberries (Rubus idaeus) and 'Superlicious' dwarf blackberries (Rubus x 'A-2500T' PPAF) for this type of garden. Both are good in USDA Hardiness zones 4-8, with the Superlicious able to be grown through Zone 9. They offer ripe fruit twice a year and can manage the space constraints of a patio container. You can grow these berry bushes on their own or pair them with ground-hugging strawberries that will spill over the barrel's sides. Similarly, you can plant culinary companions such as oregano (Origanum vulgare) — in zones 4-8 — and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) — in zones 5 to 9. These delicious flowering herbs can also repel any pests with their fragrance.