Berries a Bloomin'

A bumble bee pollinating some blooms on one of my blueberry bushes.

Ahh.....spring. Everything is in bloom! Well, not everything......but a lot of stuff for sure! While my nose and sinuses are enduring the torture, my eyes delight to see all of the blooms everywhere. Usually I pull up any blooming weeds immediately before they can set seed. This year I have decided to leave some to bloom to attract pollinators into my garden. We had a cold winter and any pollinators coming out of hibernation are going to need all the nectar/pollen they can get. My strawberries and blueberries are blooming like crazy. The girls are going to loooove all of the berries. One of their favorite things to do in the garden is pick the berries and eat them right off the plant. I am not too particular about them washing the berries, since I don't use chemicals on or near these plants. There is no need; they grow so well.

Perennial Food Plant Care

(I use this for all of my perennial food plants including the berries)

I fertilize with a side dressing of compost once in the fall and once right before spring. I water throughout the year when necessary and sometimes fertilize with fish emulsion diluted in water. I weed several times throughout the year when needed. It's well worth the effort!

Strawberry plant with blooms and immature fruit.