D.T. Brown Blog

Although they are very hardy plants, when grown outdoors grapes need as much sun as possible to ripen the fruits. In southern England, outdoor varieties will also succeed when trained onto wire supports in a more open position or can be accommodated on a trellis or pergola.

Blackcurrants and Casseille fruit best on one-year-old wood and the aim of pruning is to ensure that the oldest wood is continuously replaced with vigorous new growths.

Blueberries are ready for picking when they are blue-black, soft and detach easily from their stalks. As they don't all ripen together it is usual to go over the bushes several times at about 4-5 day intervals. Ripe cranberries are a dark red colour and, being rather tedious to pick, it is probably best to wait until all are ripe before harvesting.

All of these berries can be grown effectively against a boundary wall or fence. Otherwise plant in rows 1.8-2.1m (6-7ft) apart, each running north to south to catch maximum sunlight and supported on a system of posts and wires about 1.8m (6ft) in height. Strain four wires horizontally between the posts at 30cm (1ft) intervals, starting with the first wire at about 90cm (3ft) from the ground.

Originating in Western Asia, figs need plenty of sun and warmth. In favourable areas of the south and west they can be trained as free-standing bushes but, in most of the southern half of the country, they are best trained on a warm south- or west-facing wall. Elsewhere, they should be grown in large containers which can be moved inside, e.g. into a shed, during severe weather.

Raspberries benefit from an annual mulch of organic matter, like well-rotted manure or good quality, weed-free garden compost, to suppress weeds and conserve soil moisture. Spread it thickly every spring on the surface of the ground while the soil is still moist from winter rain.

Growing your own fruit trees is incredibly rewarding and the taste of the fruit picked is truly delicious- fresh, tangy and nutritious. Our range has been chosen with care and offers varieties which perform well in the UK, cropping readily for many years and providing structure and character to our gardens.

Strawberry beds have a limited life and need to be replaced every 3-5 years with virus-free stock. As they should each time be replanted on a fresh site where they have not been grown for a number of years, they are best grown as a rotational crop with vegetables rather than being included in a more permanent fruit area. Choose a sheltered area of the garden in full sun and, if possible, avoid known frost pockets.