The Growing Time for Berry Bushes

Strawberries

• Strawberries grow well in small areas and produce fruit quickly. These luscious red berries usually produce fruit during the first growing season. After two or three years, the amount of fruit produced declines, so for continuous production of strawberries, you should start new plants every few years.

Blueberries

• Blueberries don't require much space and are sometimes grown in containers. According to Ohio State University Extension, bare-rooted blueberries don't become truly productive for six or more years, although they may produce some fruit by the second or third season. Container-grown blueberries shouldn't be allowed to bear fruit during the first two years, or until they are more than 2½ feet tall.

Raspberries

• Raspberries are good to eat fresh, or to use in pies, jams and desserts. They typically take two years to become established. Once these berry bushes are established, they can continue to produce fruit for several years. Raspberries come in many varieties, including red, purple, black and yellow. Red raspberries are usually the hardiest type, while black and purple raspberries aren't sturdy enough to grow where winters are harsh, according to the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Some raspberries are considered everbearing and produce up to two crops a year.

Blackberries

• Blackberries are another type of berry bush that produce fruit quickly. They are usually not considered as hardy as raspberries. Blackberries grow best in temperate areas, and most cultivars don't handle harsh winters well. These fruits are self-pollinating; they mature 35 to 45 days after they are pollinated.

Other Berries

• Fresh fruit can grow from many other types of berry bushes. Grapes are actually a type of berry. There are several types of grapes, each with a distinctive flavor. By spacing out planting, you can space out the harvest as well. It usually takes three years for grapes to become established. Other types of berry bushes are sometimes grown for berries to be used in pies or jellies. An example of this type of berries includes elderberries, which usually take three to four years to become established.