Strawberry jam, a blueberry smoothie, blackberry galette – there are so many delicious ways to eat berries all year round. And what’s better than being able to go into your backyard to pick some for your next meal? Here are some tips for growing delicious berries at home. 

Choose the right kind 

We’ve got a bit of bad news – you can’t just wake up one day, think “I want to grow berries” and order any kind of seed online. Certain berry varieties will thrive in the Jersey climate while others will falter. Do a little research to find the perfect berries for your area – highbush blueberries, Jone J raspberries and Triple Crown blackberries are great for Jersey. 

Plant at the right time 

Berries are a pretty low maintenance plant (which we think make them perfect for our own backyard gardens) – but that’s once you get them established in your garden. Ideally, you’ll start your plant in the spring or fall to avoid the blistering heat and give your berries a chance to grow strong and delicious. Or if you do decide to start them in the hotter season, make sure to water them A. LOT. 

Mulch, mulch, mulch

Especially during your berry plant’s first season, you want to make sure they are getting plenty of water. One way to help your berries (and other plants) stay hydrated is by putting a layer of mulch on top of the soil. This will help keep the moisture in the soil, giving the garden’s roots plenty of refreshing water. 

Beware of hungry animals 

Jersey critters – they’re just like us. They also love digging into those Jersey Fresh berries each season. If you don’t want to lose half your crop to the neighborhood squirrels and chipmunks, drape some netting over your plants or build an enclosure around your garden to protect your hard work. 

Avoid thorns 

Many berry varieties have thorns on their stems, but that doesn’t mean you have to prick your fingers all season long. When ordering your berry seeds or seedlings, be sure to choose a thornless variety.