How to Grow and Fertilize Salal Berry

Water the salal often enough so that the soil around its roots is slightly moist at all times. Salal grown in full sun requires more frequent waterings than shade-grown salal.

Mulch the soil around the salal with a 3-inch layer of wood chips. This helps reduce moisture evaporation and discourages weed growth. Place the mulch 5 inches from the salal's base and spread it out to the plant's dripline.

Fertilize the salal in spring. Rake back the mulch from the previous season and discard it. Spread a 3- or 4-inch layer of compost on the soil around the plant, water to a depth of 6 inches and apply fresh mulch.

Cut the salal to the soil in early spring if it becomes overgrown and isn't flowering as much as you'd like. Otherwise, wait until late winter and prune out old growth and give it a light prune, just to keep it to the shape and size you desire.

Harvest the salal berries in September. Although they may be sweeter after a frost, birds and other wildlife typically get to them long before then so beat them to it and harvest in September. Cut entire stems of berries from the salal. In the kitchen, wear gloves -- the juice stains skin -- and use scissors or garden snips to cut each berry from the stem.