Backyard Berry Book A Hands On Guide to Growing Berries Brambles & Vine Fruit in the Home Garden

Here's hands-on advice from a professional horticulturist and experienced fruit grower to help gardeners create an edible landscape. The Backyard Berry Book provided all the information that backyard gardeners need to grow strawberries, rhubarb, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, lingonberries, currants, gooseberries, grapes, and kiwi fruit. Includes details on soil nutrition and testing; disease, pest, weed, and bird control; and trellis design. A trouble-shooting section and Seasonal Activity Calendar will help ensure success.

"If you're dreaming of harvesting mouth-watering small fruits in your own backyard, ...read this book! If you're already trying small fruit production and harvesting a peck of problems, ...read this book. Stella Otto tells you how to grow the familiar and the more exotic, for big results in a little space." --Jan Riggenbach, columnist Midwest Gardening and Midwest Living magazine

The Backyard Berry Book provides the home gardener with a complete guide to growing strawberries, rhubarb, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, currants, gooseberries, grapes, and kiwi fruit. It also includes details on soil nutrition and testing, important plant nutrients, and mulching.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 270-272) and index.

Author of the 1994 Benjamin Franklin Award winner, The BackYard Orchardist, Stella Otto has more than sixteen years of hands-on experience in fruit growing. As a horticultural instructor, consultant, and fruit farm owner she has repeatedly faced the questions presented in the Backyard Berry Book and offers practical, realistic solutions.

List of Illustrations and Charts 8
Acknowledgments 11
Preface 12
1. Success with Backyard Berries 13
Section I. Getting to the Roots-Fundamentals of Small Fruit Growing
2. Selecting the Right Site 17
Selecting the Site-Soil-Preparing the Site-Controlling Weeds and Nematodes-Adjusting pH-Adding Organic Matter-Correcting Soil Drainage Problems-Windbreaks
3. Plant Selection and Propagation 31
Selecting a Healthy Plant-Types of Nursery Stock-Selecting Specific Varieties-Propagation Methods & Techniques
4. A Bit of Berry Botany 41
Parts of the Plant and Flower-What is a Berry?-Understanding Fruit Bud Development-Chilling-Pollination-Cold Hardiness
5. Soil Nutrition, pH, and Water 49
Photosynthesis-Soil pH: What is it?-Modifying pH-Choosing a Fertilizer-Functions and Sources of Important Plant Nutrients-Soil and Tissue Testing-Understanding Your Soil Test Results-Fertilizer:How Much?-Water:How Much?-Irrigation-Mulching-Compost
6. Pest Control Strategies 69
Approaches to Pest Control:Cultural, Chemical, Organic, and Biological-Integrated Pest Management-Effective Pest Control-Safe Handling of Pesticides
7. Insect: Friend or Foe 79
Understanding Incest Life Cycles-Insect Damage-General Insect Identification-Encouraging and Using Beneficial Insects for Pest Control-Effective Use of Beneficial Organisms
8. Disease Identification 95
Fungus Diseases-Bacterial Diseases-Viruses & Miscellaneous Disorders-Nematodes
9. Wildlife Pests 101
Birds-Deer-Rodents-Gophers, Raccoons and Porcupines
Section II. Early Spring Fruit
10. Strawberries 107
Selecting & Preparing the Site-Growth Habits & Specific Varieties-Planting Systems-Planting in Small Spaces-Planting-Care of the Berry Planting-Renovation-Pests and Diseases-Harvest
11. Rhubarb 129
Site Selection Preparation and Planning-General Care-Varieties-Pests and Diseases-Harvest
Section III. Brambles
12. Bramble Basics 135
Site Selection-Selecting and Caring for Bramble Varieties-Planting and Spacing-Water-Fertilizer-Pruning and Trellising-Insects and Diseases
13. Raspberries 147>br />Types & Varieties-Thimbleberries & Winberries-Pruning-Harvest
14. Blackberry 157
Types & Varieties-Planting-Pruning-Harvest
Section IV. Bush Fruit
15. Blueberries 165
Types and Varieties-Site Requirements-Soil Requirements-Plant Selection and Planting-Care after Planting-Planting in Containers-Fertilizer and Water-Pruning-Diseases-Insects-Harvest
16. Lingonberries 183
Growth Habit-Site Requirements-Varieties-Planting-Ongoing Care-Fertilizer and Water-Pests and Diseases-Harvest
17. Currants and Gooseberries 189
Site Requirements-Pollination-Varieties-Planting-Pruning-Fertilizer and Water-Diseases and Insect Pests-Harvest
Section V. Vine Fruit
18. General Characteristics and Culture of Grapes 203
Climatic Effects on Site Selection-Site Selection and Soil-Planting the Vine-Special Terminology-Trellis Design Fundamentals-Vine Training Systems-Pest and Diseases-Weed Control
19. Bunch Grapes 217
Types & Varieties-Fertilizer and Water-Care of the Young Vineyard-Training-Pruning-Cluster Thinning-Growing in Containers-Winter Protection-Harvest
20. Muscadine Grapes 233
Varieties-Pollination-Training the Young Vine-Pruning-Fertilizer and Water-Fruit Drop-Winter Protection-Harvest
21. Kiwifruit 239
Site and Soil Requirements-Pollination-Varieties-Planting-The First Critical Years-Growing in Containers-Fertilizer and Water-Frost Protection-Pruning-Pests and Diseases-Harvest
Section VI. Resources

Troubleshooting Questions & Answers 255
Seasonal Activity Calendar 260
Sources of Plant Stock/Nurseries 263
Associations 266
Publications 270
Further Reading 271
Glossary 273
Index 279