Where to grow
Soft Fruit grow well in most soil types but ideally should be grown in well-drained, loamy soil that is not too heavy. The soil needs to be deep, well dug and with plenty of well-rotted organic matter incorporated. The plot should be cleared and dug over prior to planting.
Do not plant fruit in the same place as an earlier planting of the same type that has just been removed. Always make sure that strawberries do not follow potatoes or strawberries to avoid Verticillium Wilt infection. (If possible, leave at least 5 years between growing strawberries in the same place).
What to do when you receive your Soft Fruit
On receipt, unpack the plants immediately. In all cases, aim to plant as soon as possible after receipt as this will reduce the possibility of the roots starting to dry out. Allowing the roots to de-hydrate before planting is probably the single most likely cause of plants failing to re-establish and we cannot be expected to replace free-of-charge any plants which fail to grow satisfactorily through customer neglect.
If you can't plant straightaway - because the ground is very wet, or frozen for example - store the plants in an unheated building such as a shed or garage, making sure the roots are moistened and covered with a sack or polythene. Alternatively, dig a hole in a sheltered position and ‘heel in' the roots temporarily.
Keep the compost of container grown plants moist but not saturated.
Planting
Soak the roots of all bare root plants in a bucket of water for a couple of hours before planting. Dig a hole wide enough and deep enough to take all the roots without them being doubled up.
Plant Strawberries and Rhubarb so that when the planting hole is back filled and the soil pressed down firmly, the base of the growing crown is set level with the soil surface.
Set Raspberries, Currants and Gooseberries so that the soil mark on the stems is about 1-2in/2.5-5cm below the surface after the hole has been back filled and the soil pressed down firmly.
Remove the root ball of container grown Berries from the pot intact and re-plant in a hole that is just deeper that height of the root ball. Back fill any gaps and level off with the soil that was removed to make the hole, firm in and water thoroughly.
Positions and Spacings
Blackberries & Hybrid Berries - Plant in well-drained but moisture retentive soil in full sun or partial shade. Grow on wires against a fence or wall or as single plants up a post. Space at least 6ft/2m apart. Cut back to 10in/25cm straight after planting to promote fresh growth from the base.
Currants - Plant in moisture retentive soil in an open position in full sun or partial shade. Avoid planting in a position where the bushes might catch a late spring frost which will damage any emerging leaves and new growth. Space bushes 3-4ft/1-1.25m apart. After planting, cut blackcurrants down to 3-4in/8-10cm above ground level, and cut the stems of red and white currants back by about half.
Gooseberries - Plant in deep, well-drained but moisture retentive soil in full sun or partial shade. Avoid planting in shallow soil which dries out in summer as this will result in poor sized fruit. Also avoid sites liable to catch late spring frosts. Space bushes 4ft/1.25m apart. Cut stems back by about half after planting. This is very important for successful establishment.
Raspberries - Plant in deep, rich well-drained but moisture retentive soil in a sunny or partially shaded position. Space canes 15-18in/40-45cm apart. Allow 4-6ft/1.25-2m between rows of floricane (summer-fruiting) varieties and at least 6ft/2m between rows of primocane (autumn-fruiting) varieties. Cut back to 12in/30cm after planting. Keep soil moist until canes get established.
