WHEN we talk of soft fruit we usually mean the kind that are thought of as either berries or currants and are synonymous with summer. Generally, these are fairly easy to grow in our climate, don't take up too much space, look decorative and taste delicious - do you need any more convincing to try a few varieties in your own garden?
Strawberries are all-round favourites with most of us and the modern large-fruited varieties that we enjoy today are a cross between Fragaria virginiana, which was first introduced into Europe from America in 1556, and F.chiloenisis, which didn't reach England until the 18th Century.
Today, modern strawberries can be divided into three groups: Maincrop - which ripen in June and July, Alpine - small fruit which ripens between June and October and Perpetual - which are a cross between the other two and ripen between July and October.
All strawberries die down in winter as they are herbaceous plants. They are self-fertile and propagate by sending out long runners. The type of soil they grow on determines the flavour of the fruit, generally speaking the richer the soil the better the flavour while those grown on a lighter soil will probably crop earlier.
The best time for planting is September. They do best on a sunny site, which has been enriched with lots of garden compost or manure. Space the plants about 45cm from each other. They will need plenty of water but,once the fruits start to ripen, be careful not to wet them. Slugs are addicted to strawberries so tuck straw or a mat around each plant to give it some measure of protection.
Once all the fruits have been harvested, trim the foliage down to about 5cm above the crown and feed with an all-purpose fertiliser. The plants will need replacing every three years. Replant on a new site to avoid disease and encourage heavier cropping. Strawberries grow very well in special planters with cupped holes at the sides for planting.
This is a good way not only to keep a watch on possible slug damage but also to pick the fruit as it ripens. The small alpine varieties are very successful when grown in pots or even window boxes. But remember with anything in a container it is even more important to water regularly.
Raspberries are another all-time winner in the summer fruit stakes. There is really nothing to compare with a bowl of freshly picked fruit covered in cream. There are two types, firstly the summer fruiting varieties that are ready for eating in midsummer and, secondly, the autumn fruiting ones that last from late summer until the advent of the first frosts.
Construct a support from posts and wires for the new canes and plant vertically in rich soil in late autumn, cutting ,back to 23cm.
Then, when the new growth appears, cut the original cane down to ground level. As the canes grow, weave them between the wires and tie in with soft twine. Raspberries need a generous mulch every spring and plenty of water if the weather is dry.
The summer fruiting varieties crop on the previous year's canes, so aim at pruning these every other year. In fact, this means cutting the fruiting canes down to ground level as soon as they have been harvested. The varieties that fruit in the autumn bear their crop on the current year's growth so all the canes should be cut right back to the ground in March.
Gooseberries are particularly popular in the kitchen, where they can be transformed into pies, jams and all kinds of delicious desserts, although some varieties can be left on the bush to ripen fully for eating raw.
They will live happily in cool, moist conditions but do need sunshine for their fruit to ripen. They can be grown as standards, bushes or even cordons, the latter being a good way to save space and get lots of fruit.
The bushes should be pruned to open up the centre, which not only makes picking the fruit easier but also increases the air flow through the plant, thus reducing the chances of mildew.
They are best planted in November and benefit from a high potash feed in spring, as well as a generous mulch with either well-rotted garden compost of manure.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article