Small Fruits and Vegetables
| Asparagus-MaryWashington |
| This perennial vegetable, if well cultivated can produce for 20 seasons or more. Although it |
| takes 3 years to produce a good harvest, there are few more rewarding crops. It is best to cut |
| the asparagus to ground level at the start of each spring growing season and mulch the bed. |
| Harvest the asparagus when the shoots are 12 - 20 cm. (5" to 8") tall. Make sure the buds are |
| still tight. Asparagus can be grown in any well drained fertile soil. |
| Blackberry Thornless - Chester |
| The berries are large, firm, and sweet. It is the most winter hardy of the thornless |
| Boysenberries. Disease resistant. Heavy yielding, semi-erect, thornless vines, which do not |
| give way to the occasional thorny cane. The berries ripen in July and last until mid August. |
| Planting and pruning are the same as red raspberries. Very hardy with trailing habit. |
| Boysenberry - Thornless |
| Very large, almost seedless, with sweet, juicy, full-bodied flavour. Good for all raspberry |
| uses. Ripens during May and June. It is pruned and planted the same as red raspberries. It |
| will be necessary to lay down and mulch all the first year canes, in cold climates. |
| Blueberries |
| All varieties of blueberries are at their flavourful best when freshly picked, but can be frozen |
| and used in muffins, pancakes, pies, jams, jellies, etc. It is best to plant two varieties of |
| blueberries near each other for pollination. Although they are all self pollinating, cross |
| pollinating will give a larger more plentiful crop. Blueberries thrive in well-drained acid soil, |
| rich in organic matter. The PH level of the soil should be between 3.4 to 6.5 and best between |
| 4.5 to 5.5. PH levels can be brought down by mixing lots of peat moss into the bed. Frequent |
| watering is required. |
| Bluecrop - Midseason: Hardy to Zone 4. |
| Fruit is very large with excellent flavour. Bush is upright to about 2 meters. Bluecrop is |
| considered the best all around variety for moderate zones. Bluecrop is easy to grow and |
| produces consistent yields of 10 - 20 pounds per mature plant. |
| Blueray - Midseason: Hardy to Zone 4. |
| Fruit is very large, powder blue, with excellent dessert flavour. Blueray is the best companion |
| to Bluecrop for cross pollination. Beautiful bright red fall foliage and bright red wood in winter. |
| Northcountry - Midseason: Hardy to Zone 2. |
| This bush grows to about 60 cm. and is highly branched. It can withstand temperatures to -40 |
| degrees C. The fruit is small, sky-blue, with a delicious wild blueberry flavour. Mature plants |
| yield about 4 - 6 lbs. per bush. Northcountry is considered by many to be the perfect landscape |
| blueberry plant because of its excellent compact bush shape and stunning fall colour. |
| Northland - Early: Hardy to Zone 3. |
| Fruit is medium size, dark blue and very sweet. The bush is spreading to about 1.25 meters high |
| and 1.5 meters wide, with bright yellow wood in winter. Northland bears consistent yields of 15 |
| - 20 lbs. per mature bush. It will cross pollinate with any of the other varieties. |
| Northsky - Early to Midseason: Hardy to Zone 2. |
| Fruit is small, sky-blue, with delicious sweet flavour. The plant is short and compact to about |
| 35 - 40 cm. with very small glossy green leaves that turn dark red in the fall. The shortness |
| of the plant makes it the hardiest blueberry variety because of snow cover. It bears about 1 - |
| 2 lbs. of fruit per mature plant. |
| Currant -Black (Crandall) |
| This black currant is a very hardy and attractive plant that produces succulent berries ideal for |
| jams and pies. It is also high in vitamin C. Mature plants have very heavy yields. The best fruit |
| is on one-year old wood. Pruning approximately 1/3 of the old wood is recommended each |
| spring. Mature plants produce fruit from late June to early August. Black Currants prefer an |
| open sunny location. The soil must drain well, and manure should be worked into the soil for |
| best results. |
| Currants -Red (Red Lake) |
| The red currant is a hardy attractive plant that produces intensely flavoured fruit, ideal for |
| jellies and pies. Mature plants have very heavy yields. The best fruit is on one-year old wood. |
| Each spring pruning of old wood and winter dieback will be necessary. Red Currants bear fruit |
| from late spring to mid summer. Full to 3/4 sun is required and soil 'must' drain well. |
| Gooseberries |
| The gooseberry is a very hardy small fruit bush that produces large clusters of round green |
| berries. They are great for pies and jellies. It is a very vigorous growing and high yielding plant. |
| The bush needs to be thinned out each year to stop it from suffocating. It is necessary to mulch |
| well in the winter. Gooseberries fruit from late spring to mid summer. A well drained, moist |
| loamy soil suits gooseberries best. Slightly shaded to full sun is preferred. |
| Grapes |
| For centuries grapes have been the symbol of good life. They fit even the smallest gardens |
| because they grow upward not outward. Grapes prefer a light soil with good drainage and |
| moderate to high fertility. Soil should be loosened to a depth of 60cm., to give the roots a good |
| chance to establish. Soil should be kept moist during the first year after planting, but the |
| grapes will stand dry periods in following years because their roots can go down as far as 20 feet. |
| A spring application of well rotted manure is recommended. Grapes may produce an occasional |
| fruit bunch the first year, and a good crop the second year if full sun is supplied. Pruning is |
| necessary when a good harvest is required. Little pruning when used for privacy or hedge |
| situations. |
| Beta |
| For decades this cross between Concord and a wild Vitis riparia vine was the most widely |
| grown grape in Minnesota. Betas is known for it's extreme hardiness and acceptable |
| juice and jelly quality. Zone 3. |
| Canadice (Hardy Seedless) |
| At last a cold hardy seedless grape! The fruit is red, seedless, medium sized and firm with sweet |
| grape flavour. Has outstanding quality. Excellent table grape; fine for juice, jelly and wine. The |
| clusters ar large, long and well filled. It is a very productive grape, which ripens in mid-August |
| through September. |
| Catawba |
| Clusters are medium to large and well formed. Fruit is medium sized, round, and purplish with |
| a distinctive flavour. The grape is well known to be very aromatic. Catawba keeps very well |
| after being picked. It is a good table grape, and is great for jams and jellies. Vines are vigorous, |
| productive and moderately hardy. |
| Concord |
| Concord is one of, if not the most widely planted grape in North America. Clusters are medium- |
| sized and fairly tight. The fruit is large, tough skinned, highly aromatic and flavourful. A |
| standard all purpose grape used commercially. It is used as a table grape, jelly, juice, and wines. |
| Concord is hardy and resists powdery mildew. Often the standard of quality in judging new |
| varieties. |
| Flame - Seedless |
| Loose clusters of crisp, sweet, red seedless berries. Clusters are loose enough that bunch rot is |
| not much of a problem. Very good flavour that is good for eating fresh or raisins. Ripens from |
| late July to early August. This is the red seedless grape you will find in most grocery stores. |
| Himrod - Seedless |
| Produces long, large and loose clusters of berries. Fruit is golden yellow, medium sized, oval, |
| sweet, juicy and seedless. Not recommended for areas colder than Zone 5. Fine table quality |
| and is good for juice and raisins. Moderate disease resistance. Ripens in late August or early |
| September. |
| Interlaken - Seedless |
| Medium size tapering clusters with small to medium, seedless golden berries. Berries are crisp, |
| meaty and have a sweet tangy flavour. It is cross between Thompson Seedless and Ontario. |
| Ripens mid to late August. Moderately hardy if not allowed to over-crop. |
| Niagara |
| Also known as the White Concord. Niagara is the most widely planted white grape in North |
| America. Fruit is large, light-green to white, with a sweet tangy flavour making it the top eating |
| variety. Also makes distinctive white wine. Clusters are large, tight and compact. Niagara is |
| hardy and ripens in mid September. It is an attractive, productive and vigorous vine. |
| Pinot Gris |
| This up and coming variety will be on your favourite list in no time. A very good tasting white |
| wine grape. Zone 3b. |
| Pinot Noir |
| An excellent grape for red wine. The fruit bears on medium sized, tight clusters. The grape is |
| small, hard skinned and sweet if ripened long enough. The clusters are very tight which can |
| cause some fruit damage. It is fairly resistant to mildew and ripens late September to early |
| October. |
| Suffolk - Seedless |
| The fruit bears on medium size, long loose cluster. The grape is round, firm, meaty and seedless |
| with pure flavour. Excellent quality fruit for picking and storage. Colour varies from bright red |
| to grayish pink. It needs direct sunlight to develop maximum red colour. Suffolk Red needs |
| moisture and fertilizer while fruiting. It ripens in early September. |
| Vidal |
| This white ice-wine making grape is extremely hardy. Used by many vinyards around the world, |
| Vidal produces large clusters in high yields. Zone 4. |
| Josta Berry |
| Jostaberry takes on the look of a gooseberry, without the nasty thorns, and the fruit |
| is much sweeter. It combines the vigorous growth and rich flavor of a black currant with disease |
| resistance (including to white pine blister rust and mildew). The tangy-sweet flavour of a jostaberry |
| (pronounced yust-a-berry) is a mix of grape, blueberry, and kiwi fruit. |
| Josta-berries are great in jams, jellies, and pies, but most often eaten fresh off the bush. |
| Raspberries Black - Jewel (leading variety) |
| Black Raspberries are hardy plants with long arching canes, and produce juicy, pruple-black |
| fruit. They are delicious fresh as a snack or used for pies, jams, jellies and syrups. Pruning is |
| necessary for best fruit. Canes bear fruit the second year. After harvest, the old canes should |
| be cut to the ground and the new canes bundled and mulched (in cold climates). In the spring |
| unbundle the canes. They thrive in full sun or partial shade. Well drained soil is a must in |
| having a healthy black raspberry. Jewel is a heavy producer and easy to grow. |
| Raspberries Purple - Royalty (Pat. #5405) |
| The most popular and productive purple raspberry available. Large fruit, sweeter than |
| Brandywine. Good for eating fresh, great for jams and jellies. Very disease resistant. |
| Raspberries Red |
| Red Raspberries are upright, tall growing prickly shrubs that bear red juicy fruit. |
| Raspberries can be used for fresh desserts, cooking, jam making and also for freezing. |
| Raspberries should be planted 3 feet apart. When planting raspberries, cut back to 6" inches |
| and let them grow without pruning for the first year. Next season select about 6 to 8 |
| healthy canes and cut the rest to the ground. These canes will produce fruit and after the |
| fruiting season, cut the 2 year canes to the ground, pick the best 6 or 8 canes of new growth |
| and cut the rest back. This cycle of new and 1 year old canes will help you to have the |
| maximum yield from the raspberries. Raspberries like to be planted in a fertile soil with |
| good drainage. Using a trellis |
| to hold the canes is the best for both picking and sorting out new and old canes. |
| Boyne - Extremely Hardy |
| Developed in Morden, Manitoba for northern areas where extreme hardiness is needed most. |
| Medium, tender, juicy, dark red berries. The flavour is aromatic and medium sweet. |
| Especially good for jams, jellies, and freezing. Very productive, strong, sturdy canes. Ripen |
| in early to mid season. |
| Heritage - Everbearing |
| Large, sweet, dark red berries with a mild flavour. Good for fresh eating, freezing, canning |
| and preserves. The canes are fairly tall, but are very sturdy and seldom require support. |
| Heritage has moderate summer crop with heavier, superior fall crop. Hardy into zone 3. |
| Killarney |
| Deep red fruit is sweet and of excellent quality. Slightly larger and lighter than Boyne. |
| Canes are medium sized and very sturdy. As hardy as Boyne and does not sucker as |
| much. High fruit quality. |
| Qualicum |
| Vertually thornless, with large, firm dark red fruit. Long fruiting season, over 30 days in |
| most climates. |
| Meeker |
| Fruit size and colour similiar to Heritage. Excellent flavour. Ripens 10-14 days earlier than |
| Heritage. Disease resistant. |
| Tulameen |
| Tulameen is a very new variety, which has taken the raspberry trade by storm. In extensive |
| testing it was best in; yield, fruit size and firmness. It also has a very long season; 50 days. |
| The fruit is glossy medium red with a desirable taste. |
| Raspberries Yellow - Fall Gold (Everbearing) |
| Fall Gold is very similar to the Heritage Red Raspberry in growth habits, fruiting times and |
| maintenance. The fruit is large to very large, cone shaped, extremely sweet, non-crumbling |
| golden berries. Excellent for fresh eating, canning and preserves. The canes are vigorous |
| and productive. It is adaptable to a wide variety of soils. Hardy to zone 3. |
| Rhubarb |
| Although rhubarb is generally classified as a vegetable, it is traditionally used as a fruit in |
| pies, cobblers, jams and jellies. Rhubarb grows well in almost any type of soil, but it is a |
| heavy feeder and should not be planted in poor soils. When planting, the soil needs to be |
| worked with some compost and manure to about a 2 foot depth. The top of the root should |
| be planted about 3-4 inches deep. 10-10-10 fertilizer should be used on a regular basis for |
| the first year to help the root get established. Rhubarb plants produce seed stalks, which |
| should be cut as soon as they appear. |
| Saskatoonberry |
| Can be used for fruit production and as an ornamental. Masses of showy flowers appear in |
| spring and has brilliant fall foliage. All of the named varieties were derived from the wild |
| bushes on the prairies. The fruit has been used to make jams, syrup, pies, juice and wine. |
| They grow from 10 to 15 feet tall. |
| Honeywood |
| This variety was produced in Parkside, Saskatchewan. Honeywood has excellent nutritional |
| value. Berries are large and sweet tasting. Great for jams. |
| Smoky |
| Was produced at the Beaverlodge Research Centre in Alberta. It was one of the first |
| Saskatoonberry plants cultivated and is still one of the best. It has the highest yield and |
| sweetest berries. |
| Theissan |
| Was produced in Saskatchewan. It's berries are the largest of all the varieties and they are |
| mild to sweet tasting. |
| Strawberries |
| Strawberries are a low growing bush that bear red, juicy, sweet, triangular shaped fruit. |
| Strawberries give an extremely quick return of fruit after planting. Before planting add a 2 |
| inch layer of organic matter over the soil and dig to 4-6 inches. Proper planting depth is |
| very important. Place plants just above the root line and just below the crown. Set plants |
| about 12 inches apart in rows 12-15 inches apart. For the best yields, pinch the runners |
| off. If runners are allowed to flourish, it can cut the yield in half. For best results, |
| strawberries should be replaced every 3 years. In the fall, the strawberry should be cut back |
| to about 2 or 3 inches above the ground level. |
| Fern - Everbearing / Day Neutral, Hardy |
| Fruit is large and firm which means that it stores very well. It is very winter hardy. |
| Ft. Laramie - Everbearing, Hardy |
| An improved Ogallala, with bigger yields and just as hardy. It can withstand temperatures |
| down to 30-40 degrees below zero un-mulched. A very productive plant with excellent |
| vigour and large berries. Berries are medium red and sweet. |
| Glooscap - Junebearing |
| Mid-season variety. Very hardy. Excellent choice for the prairies. Fruit is dark red and |
| the berries maintain their size throughout the picking season. Canadian variety. |
| Kent - Junebearing |
| Early mid-season with high yields of large, good quality berries. Canadian variety. |
| An excellent all around berry for fresh or frozen. Extremely hardy and vigorous. |
| Seascape - Everbearing/DayNeutral, Hardy |
| This new introduction has very large fruit with good flavour and high yield. |
| It is extremely winter hardy. |
| Tristar - Everbearing / Day Neutral, Hardy |
| Tristar is one of newest varieties of strawberries, and maybe the best. It bears fruit all |
| season with very good flavour, and has a bright red surface and red flesh. It is extremely |
| winter hardy. Many people believe that Tristar is unquestionably the best variety to date. |
| Tayberries |
| Tayberry is a cross between a blackberry and a raspberry. It has long, vigorous canes, that |
| bear very large (2 inches long), reddish purple coloured berries. They have a very good |
| flavour and are slightly aromatic. Excellent quality for freezing, canning, jams and jellies. |
| Tayberry has shown considerable promise for the fresh fruit and processing markets. |
| Planting and pruning are the same as red raspberries. |
| Vaccinium macroparpon (Cranberry) |
| This mat forming, evergreen shrub has dark green foliage that turns bronze in winter. In |
| summer plant bears, pendant, bell-shaped, pink flowers. Blooming is followed by edible, |
| round, bright red berries. Cranberries prefer a cooler climate and moist wet soil. |
| Zone 2-7. |