How to Grow Luscious Berries

Fertilize every spring with an all-purpose fertilizer to encourage blooms and fruit. Each berry is slightly different on its nutrient needs, but on average, apply 1 cup per plant, and work it into the soil around the stem. Blueberries prefer acidic soil, so use an acid lovers fertilizer in areas where the soil tends to get alkaline.

Apply water after fertilizing to work the food into the soil. Water until the soil puddles up. Water deeply each time you irrigate, and then allow the top 3 inches of soil to dry out between watering periods.

Use a hoe frequently when you see weeds. Berries need a lot of nutrients, and any competing vegetation will pull resources from your fruit crop and minimize the yield. Lay a thick 3-inch layer of mulch between your berry plants to prevent weeds and conserve moisture.

Grow raspberries and trailing blackberries on a trellis constructed of two stakes sunk deeply into the soil, with another set of stakes across from them. String at least two lines of wire between the posts. Use plant ties as the canes get tall enough to reach the wires.

Build up a soil bed that is 6 to 8 inches high for strawberries. Rake the soil together, or construct a fancy edge. This will keep the berries from becoming too wet as they mature in the spring and allow the soil to warm up more quickly.

Use pruners to prune all berries in early spring. Strawberries should have old foliage cleaned out of them and the oldest clumps removed. Raspberries bloom off the 2-year canes, so remove the canes that fruited the previous year. Cut out the old wood in blackberries. They are so vigorous you can even cut down all the canes to the ground, and the plant will reform in no time. Remove dead or broken wood in blueberries.

Use bacillus thuringinesis or insecticidal soap on most insects. These items are nontoxic methods of control and will not harm the fruit. To prevent rot and fungal disease, use a soaker hose for irrigation.