How To Grow Blueberries, Raspberries and Currants in Containers

[@dollyperry3020]

When planting containers in cold areas you MUST make sure that the variety can handle 2 zones colder than the inground recommendation. So for example if you live in a zone six then your container plants MUST be okay down to a zone 4.

[@firesunearthmoon8999]

Thank you! Great advice!

[@flowerheit4512]

Or, be prepared to bring the container inside during cold weather.

[@UwU-Crew]

We bury our container pots, cover with straw, then dig em up in the spring. It’s a little extra work but nothing has croaked on me since I started doing this.😊

[@Cloverkitty]

Thanks Dolly and Sugarbuns! Great tips to use for the garden! :D

[@sharileenlimpin5534]

Didnt even think of that. Thank you!

[@kristinaginorio1344]

Your enthusiasm is adorable. And your teaching style is quite accessible.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much Kristina, very kind of you to say. :-)

[@Halotest100]

Thank you for posting. I now see where I was going wrong with my potted Raspberries, I wasn't putting any ericaceous compost in with the soil.

[@JanetAstrella-ps1lr]

I loved your advice and strawberries! I grew up with a strawberry patch and as an adult this is my first strawberry plant. I hope I do well.

[@GrowVeg]

I hope they grow well for you Janet. :-)

[@kellyannew5020]

I see your comment was from a year ago. How have your strawberries done? Have you had loads of runners and now have a mini strawberry farm?

[@adairsulhoff5405]

Adding raspberries to my wish list :)

[@TofferJ-UK]

I have apples, morello cherries, rhubarb, blackcurrants and strawberries. My neighbour has black berries but I MUST do raspberries this coming year. I have bought them a number of times in 2022 from the supermarket. I’ve said it a long time and must do it. 👍 thanks for the reminder Ben.

[@GrowVeg]

Definitely plant some raspberries! :-)

[@mistyfarm1702]

What variety of raspberries please?

[@donaldauguston9740]

This could NOT have been timelier. I need to plant a black current and now I know to trim it back once in the ground. Thank you again, Ben. I can always rely upon you for outstanding information. DA

[@GrowVeg]

Cheers for watching Donald. :-)

[@jons5898]

Planted some blueberries and raspberries in 10 gal. pots and some in beds last spring . It will be interesting to see if the potted bushes survive the winter, it was -5 F (-20 C)where I live in Idaho this morning ! 🥶. The garden is under 24 inches (about 60 centimeters) of snow currently and we’re expecting more.

[@cherylhowker1792]

Wow, we only getting first frosts here on the southeast cost of uk

[@ninemoonplanet]

They should be ok, grew raspberries at -40 ° winters. -40 is the same temp at both scales. You could 'wrap' them to prevent frost/cold burn if you're not sure.

[@dollyperry3020]

Sounds like you live near to my Spokane home :)

[@Alyss93]

Considering they both grow in the wild in northern Ontario, Canada, where it easily gets to -40C or lower, you should be pretty good

[@ivyrakestraw]

Your raspberries will do fine in the ground there too. We had them in MT and they came back every year.

[@greenwayfilms1]

lol you are so much like us , eating your fruit leater with your garden hands , keep been real and loveing your content 🥦🥦🧄🧄🥒🥒🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much for the kind words. Mucky hands are a common theme in this household!

[@lolasullivan8110]

Thanks ❤ my son, will be very happy happy. To know how to plants those fruits, on pots Good luck 👍 🙏

[@GrowVeg]

Great stuff Lola. Happy gardening to you and your son. :-)

[@nancyroseallen1088]

Your videos are absolutely amazing. You're instructive and informative but so approachable and kind! Thank you you have helped me greartly. I could imagine you with your own series on the BBC!

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much, that's very kind of you to say! :-)

[@caroldragon7545]

Ben, I love your tip about dumping the pot to mix the soil and then put it back in without wasting any. You mentioned using a shorter variety of raspberry. Can you tell us the variety name? I live in zone 6 in the US so I will be planting the raspberries in the spring and I want to make sure I order an appropriate one.

[@GrowVeg]

Hi Carol. The raspberry I planted is called 'Summer Lovers Patio Red', but this may be a UK-specific variety. In the US you may want to seek out a variety called 'Shortcake': www.bushelandberry.com/raspberry-shortcake

[@caroldragon7545]

@@GrowVeg Thank you so much for checking to find a U.S. variety for me. I will let you know how I make out.

[@susanfit47]

Hi from the US. Thanks for the tips

[@pootlingalong8928]

Wonderful! A couple of months ago I bought some patio bushes - blueberries, raspberries, a blackberry and also a plum and pear tree. I’ve also set up a small square bucket garden for salads and baby veg in a 1m square raised bed and planted another 1m square raised bed with strawberries. So excited for next year! Enjoy your helpful videos - liked and subscribed! 👍🏻😁

[@lindabareh1492]

QA

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much for subscribing! :-)

[@WillsM85]

Wish there was in person courses where I could learn this stuff and go through it in practice. There's so much to learn and it puts me off.

[@GrowVeg]

Always happy to help with any specific questions - just drop me a new comment so I pick it up. :-)

[@aaronchapman6666]

@@GrowVegmy raspberries aren’t growing too well - they are fruiting but I’m only getting a few fruits per branch maybe 6-8 tops - the pot is around 20cm but maybe potting it up would help? I give them a seaweed feed every 7 days

[@luka2nd]

I have just discovered your channel, and I think it's great. I have recently inherited a garden from my grandparents, and there is a lot for me to learn. I'll be following your advice :-)

[@GrowVeg]

Great to have you along. What a lovely thing to have inherited - I'm sure you'll be a great custodian of the garden. :-)

[@jiggli-Jane]

Today, I pruned my raspberries 🍓🍓🍓(no raspberrie emoji,sorry) down to an inch, BEFORE 😱 I found one of your old videos from 5 years ago 😭😭 Hopefully, they'll grow back in Spring 😍 After watching your video, I had to beat my chicks away from what I'd massacred & thrown onto the compost piles, gave them the kiss of life (the canes, not my chicks), re-potted them in discarded drain-pipes & said several fruity prayers 🙏 Thank you for sharing your incredible knowledge 🤗

[@GrowVeg]

Hope the fruity prayers pay off for you Jane. :-)

[@raaron4315]

i absolutely love this guy

[@chaddamp2894]

Happy Christmas and thanks for all of your inspiring posts x

[@GrowVeg]

And to you - thank you for watching. :-)

[@BritInvLvr]

I never had any luck with blueberries here in Southern California. I will give it another try taking in your tips. 😊

[@lollypop2413]

Blueberries need cold to set fruit

[@Firevine]

I've got plenty of blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, but I really want to give currants and lingonberries a try. Thanks for the tip on the azalea mix! I had no idea. Easy to get since azaleas are a staple in landscapes here in the southeast US.

[@gardentours]

I can only grow in containers and the plants love it 🌱

[@GrowVeg]

That's really great to hear. :-)

[@Schoenmann3]

I'm growing blueberries! Lovely video thank you, I should be acidifying my blues more!

[@adriannademadriguera4859]

bless you. you are a rock star.

[@GrowVeg]

Cheers Adrianna!

[@laurieanne9712]

Thank you for this! Just what I needed!

[@Simply.happiDess]

Thank you so much! I am a beginner in gardening and your videos are helping me a lot !

[@stephenhope7319]

Good ideas in this video. Like the idea of filling a pot with what you want in it then turning it out into the wheel barrow for a good mixing. Going to try raspberry's here in 9b Sacramento. Good to do that during our mild winter. Thanks ben.

[@GrowVeg]

Hope the raspberries thrive for you Stephen. :-)

[@francesbatycki404]

I love raspberries. The garden previous house owners sort of grew has a patch, but the summer weather since we moved in hasn’t been too nice to the berries. Maybe next year. I have a cunning plan, says Baldrick.

[@GrowVeg]

Wise words from Baldrick!

[@russelwellard2217]

Great advice Ben many thanks, I have ordered raspberries and a blueberry bush for my small garden in north Yorkshire looking forward to next years fruit 😁

[@GrowVeg]

Great stuff Russel!

[@potagermalo]

Superbe vidéo bravo 😉😉 A bientôt 🤗 🤗 🤗

[@GrowVeg]

Merci bien!

[@potagermalo]

@@GrowVeg de rien c'est avec plaisir 😊 😊 😊

[@serenamccoy3711]

This video has some good ideas! We've always had trouble growing blueberries. Maybe we will try a container variety and see how it work. Thanks for the great videos and gardening tips!

[@GrowVeg]

Definitely worth a try, as you can tailor the soil for the blueberries to perfection.

[@ProjecthappylifeNYC]

I 100% support eating fruit leather with hands dirty from gardening! That made me happy.

[@GrowVeg]

So pleased Lory! :-)

[@jackiehorsley9263]

wow love your plants I planted some fruit plants myself I am hoping I get fruit next year

[@patstephenso7206]

Thank you Ben its amazing what you can grow in pots roll on spring

[@angelakenyon7490]

Thank you Ben for these potting tips for berries.....come at a good time as a few weeks ago I bought a black currant plant.....thank you for sharing.....😉 X

[@adam8822]

thanks for the hard work liked and already subscribed 👍

[@GrowVeg]

That is fantastic! Very warm welcome to the channel. :-)

[@alcarandos]

Awesome! Lots of useful information only. Thank you

[@EdurtreG]

The pruning is done so quickly while that is maybe the most important. Q: what is soilbased planting mix??? I live in Haarlem, North-Netherlands near the coast: what is my "zone" ?

[@GrowVeg]

Soil-based planting mix is just compost/potting mix that has soil as its base. Here in the UK we have John Innes potting mixes, which are soil based. I would say you are in zone 8.

[@EdurtreG]

@@GrowVeg thank you!

[@EdurtreG]

Here they sell gardensoil with enhancers; those are chemical and part of the soil is turf - the latter being the reason I do not want to buy it anymore. It is very very cheap, 1.49 € for 20 liters. Is that the same as your "stuff"? I am searching for affordable replacements.

[@mariaquinones2345]

Thank you, great idea. Love it.

[@Ryanrulesok]

Got goji berries growing here in the UK, very easy to grow and pretty hardy

[@stevenschnepp576]

Yeah, but they taste like butt.

[@lisjohn4818]

Wonderful, thank you so much❤

[@theoriginalkeepercreek]

I follow ( I am organic gardening) on youtube. His channel had a story of a farmer in Iowa that chose to not add fertilizer or pesticides to his corn crop. The farmer was told he needed to add this and that by a government guy that had tested his soil. At the end of the season, he had more bushel per acre than anyone around the county. He also had the county do some tests on how healthy the corn was. I don't remember if it was a sugar test or what but it was better than other crops in the area. That farmer went around the country sharing his information with other farmers about his results. Look up (I am organic gardening) on youtube. He has been doing it this way for many years. God Bless you and yours.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for the recommendation - I'll check this out.

[@stevenschnepp576]

That hurts me right in the scientific method. A guy doing better than some government scientist's recommendation is hardly a condemnation of or commendation for anything.

[@valoriegriego5212]

Great one, Ben! Loads of useful info for me as I continue to expand my container garden! I didn't know raspberries plants come in a smaller size.😃 I'm adding the strawberry patch and really would like to add currants.😃 Thanks!💕

[@GrowVeg]

Definitely add these fruits Valorie. :-)

[@conniegreco8409]

Thank you 😊

[@cuznclive2236]

A nice idea I found for trellising was to use long rebar stakes at the corners, then frame with bamboo. It will hold a net perfectly, and it provides an easy method to train plants with intermediary trellising of more bamboo; those crazy cannabis growers know a thing or two about protecting their crops. Thank you.

[@GrowVeg]

Great idea, thank you. :-)

[@trapped7534]

I have always had a green thumb. But it never extended the fruit. I’ve had some luck with blackberries sound like with raspberries I especially like the yellow raspberries. I’ve had some luck with strawberries. I don’t know exactly what I’m doing wrong but none are really prolific like a lot of my friends the face. And I’ve been gardening for 50 years so I don’t know lol. I appreciate your videos so much. Thank you Ben may you and your family have a wonderful Christmas. God bless.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much - and you!

[@stevenschnepp576]

What cultivars, and how are you growing them? What zone are you in?

[@michaeljlydon6991]

Great video Could you plant gooseberry in pots as well

[@GrowVeg]

You could - it would need to be a fairly big pot, but I think they could grow okay if looked after, though probably best in the ground ultimately due to their size.

[@Kitchenlabofficial]

Very beautiful your video

[@dn744]

Ideal 🤗

[@SmallholdingUK]

Your right about the cost of raspberry’s in shops, daylight robbery 💰I’ve expanded my raspberry’s this year to include all gold for yellow berries for some variety The kids go through loads of them

[@GrowVeg]

You must have very healthy kids! Great to be trying more raspberry varieties - the gold ones are delicious.

[@sandravalani359]

Excellent Presentation lil bro!😍Thanks deeply for sharinG your LifegiVinG Skills for Humanity's Wellbeing especially durinG these turbulent times!👍I am goinG to try growinG some blueberries plantS on my balcony thiS summer and your absolutely Contagious energy has convincd me...that I can succeed!👍Shine On Sweet Soul and May Our Precious Creator of liFe bless you greatly for sharinG so many Vital tipS to help keep our Plant KidZ very healthy!✌😃🙏😇🌹🌞🌹🌾🌹🐶🐱🐶🌹☕🍵☕

[@GrowVeg]

That's great to hear. I hope you do grow some blueberries - they're a great fruit to grow and incredibly rewarding. Enjoy! :-)

[@sandravalani359]

@@GrowVeg ✌☕🍵☕

[@TheeLoveland87]

I can't get over how beautiful your yard is. What region do you live in to get this type of climate?

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks Jeremy. I'm in the south of England.

[@shinanbarclay67]

I love your enthusiasm and excellent info.

[@indiantinamorals5791]

Thank you

[@genadavila5298]

How do you make the fruit leathers?? Just blend the fruit, spread very thin and dehydrate? How do you store them? Great video as always. Love this channel and the garden planner is the best!

[@GrowVeg]

Hi Gena. I always look up recipes. But basically I blitz the fruits along with a little lemon juice to stop it discolouring. The resulting smoothie is then poured onto non-stick sheets on trays, then popped into a dehydrator overnight. They are stored in-between non-stick baking parchment in Tupperware containers in a cool, dark place.

[@cherylhowker1792]

Another amazing show Ben. I must say I’m glad you showed this as I have new raspberries cains to plant out and a cascading blackberry too. And I’ve just received my lemon, lime and orange trees, they only small atm but will need to find out how to take good care of them. I have their feed but where and when to put them, inside pop up greenhouse or outside!?!?!? So many things I don’t know. Lol If you can answer any please do as I would appreciate it.

[@GrowVeg]

Frost-free greenhouses may be best for overwintering citrus, but some citrus are hardier than others. This article gives a good overview: www.growveg.co.uk/guides/growing-citrus-in-containers/

[@shanhans3945]

You are great thanks a lot😊

[@skylark.kraken]

If you have the space, feed the birds and have uncovered berries in another area - they'll learn if they want berries they shouldn't even try with your covered ones. It's worthwhile making birds happy as they eat up other pests. My wife and I are in the process of planning our future garden kitchen and we're already expecting to plant more than we need (it does give us the option to only use the very best, and not settle for non-ideal), and we have enough space to nurture fauna, from bees to birds, from hedgehogs to bats, frogs to woodlice, and lady beetles to aleochara- honestly fauna is a big part of the excitement of making a biodiverse garden; and there's a lot of birds we want to invite. Fully aware of birds being pests but there's definitely a balance that can be made, bit of give and keep.

[@GrowVeg]

This is such a great attitude and tactic to deploy. Great job! :-)

[@slomo1716]

Beautiful and YUM YUM YUM!! How about strawberries? I planted three in a grow bag, and topped off with more soil killing two plants. I purchased two and replaced them, too late in the season for more berries, but am hoping for next year.

[@GrowVeg]

Yes, strawberries are a must-grow for containers. Check out this video on growing them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/an2klmWAqchkY9U

[@katharinavonborcke4144]

Thanks you for your lovely videos. Would you be so kind to tell me the variety of your raspberries? They sound great. Schone Adventszeit from Berlin! 🎄

[@lisag9493]

Yes I was wondering the same thing

[@shawns0762]

For red raspberries I recommend Caroline. For fresh eating black raspberries are the best I think, red raspberries make the best preserves. Never tried the yellow ones.

[@GrowVeg]

Hi Katharina. The raspberry I planted was 'Summer Lovers Patio Red'.

[@missmaziecat5058]

Snaffling? So that's what I've been doing! I also would love to know the variety of those smaller raspberry plants. Thanks! 8b Seattle

[@GrowVeg]

It's called 'Summer Lovers Patio Red'. You may not find this exact variety where you are, but there will be something very similar.

[@francesbatycki404]

Are you going to do another book? I found the one I purchased to be so informative and so readable. ❤️❤️👍👍🇨🇦👩‍🌾🪴. Happy holidays to you and your family.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much for those kind words Frances. Not planning on doing another book just yet, but not ruling it out. :-)

[@Dawn_Grows_Veg]

Some good tips Ben, thank you. What variety of Raspberry is the one suitable for pots please? I grow a variety of pink blueberry called Pink Lemonade as well as the blue varieties. They are a delicious sweet and slightly tart and a pretty pink colour. I also have a golden raspberry and it is tall but not too vigorous. It still has fruit on it now ... in December!! Its the crazy warm autumn we have had in the UK I think.

[@zoewhite7705]

I just noticed fruit on my raspberry too and I’m in Scotland! Bonkers. Mine’s in a pot, I think it was called Yum Yum but there seem to be a few dwarf varieties available now. Have also seen dwarf blackberries which I’m thinking of getting next...

[@GrowVeg]

Hi Dawn. I'm also growing the Pink Lemonade blueberry. :-) The rasperries I planted are called 'Summer Lovers Patio Red'.

[@olefawkersbreaks]

Love your videos. Any tips on growing indoors? CNY has very short growing season :(

[@GrowVeg]

These fruits aren't really suitable for indoor growing as they need a chilling period to help them successfully flower and fruit the following summer. You could try herbs and salad leaf mixes indoors - they work well, along with microgreens and sprouts.

[@stevenschnepp576]

Your growing season isn't much shorter than mine. Get everbearing strawberries and black raspberries (the native wild ones, if you can). You don't need to bring them indoors, just shelter a bit from the worst of the cold if they're in containers.

[@daveswords2112]

Do I think bare root plants bought now will fruit in 2023? Great vid

[@GrowVeg]

Raspberries and other cane fruits should fruit in 2023. Currants and blueberries may take another year or two to reach fruiting stage.

[@janetmcnutt4994]

What do you do with the containers in winter? Can they be left outside? Would an unheated garage be okay to keep them til spring? What about watering them in an unheated garage?

[@GrowVeg]

They just stay outside all winter, as they are. :-)

[@Hellopumkin72]

Please could you show what brand etc you use as your compost quality looks amazing

[@GrowVeg]

I'm based in the UK. The brand I use here for my all-purpose potting mix/compost is SylvaGrow.

[@Hellopumkin72]

@@GrowVeg bless you thank you so much for the super fast response ♥ I'm also 🇬🇧 just called southern girl because roots from Cornwall x

[@Joe-yo1tm]

Thanks so much for the tips, I've just ordered two blueberry plants, one being the pink saphire. So excited to get going with them. I plan to do all my berries in containers down my plot. Quick question for you - you mention feeding these with fertilisers, tomatoes fertiliser for example or you also mentions organic fertiliser mulches that go over the top, would you mind explaining what these are and where you can get them? (Or make them!) Thanks again for your tips and your enthusiasm. It's infectious.

[@stevenschnepp576]

If you're in Zone 6 or colder, be careful with that pink blueberry. They don't tolerate cold nearly so well as other blueberries.

[@spaghettioo]

This was such a helpful video! We have a blueberry plant in a pot but it hasn't given us any fruit yet, and I need to repot a raspberry plant. Unfortunately I have not been able to find any ericaceous potting mix that doesn't contain peat! I've tried looking up hacks for it and the recommendation was to use half coco coir, which might be okay for the raspberry, but surely won't be acidic enough for the blueberry. Do you have any tips on DIY peat free ericaceous potting mix? I live in the Czech Republic and peat free mixes are hard to find... I'm building a wildlife- and eco-friendly garden so I want to avoid peat at all costs!

[@GrowVeg]

Well done on trying to avoid peat, that is a really worthy aim. This article has some excellent suggestions for making potting mix/compost more acidic. I would try some of these: www.ruralsprout.com/make-soil-acidic/

[@Proskaters6]

Great video. What about grapes?

[@GrowVeg]

Grapes are a great option also, but they will need quite a large container if you want to grow them in pots. You will also need some form of trellis or supports to train the grapevine up.

[@JV-dx5uv]

Thank you! But how about repotting the soils? How often?

[@GrowVeg]

They might need repotting once a year, once the roots are showing at the drainage holes. But once they are in their final pots you can just scrape off the top inch or so of soil and replace with fresh to help give them a bit of a boost.

[@mabellafranchie7036]

Hi, im just wondering what potted vairety of raspberries you planted please??

[@sarahwenger1284]

During the coldest days would it be ok to move the plants indoors? Even in a low to no sunlight area?

[@GrowVeg]

These berries are very hardy, so shouldn't really need to be brought indoors. Moving them to the warmth of an indoor room could trick them into thinking spring has arrived, which could cause them to sprout back into life prematurely.

[@cassieoz1702]

Do you have guidance on pruning currants, blueberries and cane fruits? We're in early summer here

[@GrowVeg]

Hi Cassie. Check out our guides to this: www.growveg.com/guides/how-to-prune-blackberries-and-raspberries/ and www.growveg.com/guides/how-to-prune-blueberry-bushes/ and www.growveg.com/guides/how-to-winter-prune-gooseberries-and-currant-bushes/

[@cassieoz1702]

@@GrowVeg oh thank you so much. I'm usually fine with the canes but currants, blueberries and gooseberries always get out of hand.

[@joannethomas782]

What variety of raspberry did you use? I'm hoping to do some in pots this year 😊

[@GrowVeg]

The variety is called 'Summer Lovers Late', but other dwarf raspberries are available.

[@joannethomas782]

@@GrowVeg I actually ordered some "summer lovers" raspberries yesterday as i couldn't resist 😂 hopefully they will do well!

[@anyanne]

Thanks Ben! Love your video. Can berries grow in a hot climate? 28-30 C

[@GrowVeg]

They can grow in temperatures that high, but they do need a period of winter chilling to help them flower and fruit the following season. If it never gets chilly where you are, then it's unlikely you will be able to successfully grow these fruits (sorry!).

[@susanvdp]

I'd really appreciate more info on cutting out old raspberry canes.. I keep hearing this but don't understand it as each spring ALL stems seems to have something green shooting!

[@GrowVeg]

It sounds like you might have autumn-fruiting raspberries, which are just pruned by cutting them down to the ground in one go in late winter. More on raspberry pruning here: www.growveg.co.uk/guides/how-to-prune-blackberries-and-raspberries/

[@lindakemer4950]

Instead of wrapping pots with bubble wrap, would it work to simply move the pots closer to the outside of a building for protection?

[@GrowVeg]

Yes, that could work, depending on how hard winters are where you are.

[@fredrickkoenig8584]

When finishing up the Raspberry can I use pine straw?.

[@GrowVeg]

Yes, you could add that as a mulch over the surface.

[@TheJenirainbow]

Can you recommend the small variety of raspberry you planted, please?

[@GrowVeg]

The raspberry I planted is called 'Summer Lovers Patio Red'. In the US you may want to seek out a variety called 'Shortcake': www.bushelandberry.com/raspberry-shortcake

[@TheJenirainbow]

@@GrowVeg Than ks so much!

[@ev1677]

Hi mate, could you please recommend a brand of all purpose potting mix? I've recently realised that for the past couple years since I started gardening that I have been growing in pure compost, its gone pretty well but heard that its better for my plants to be mixed into a soil at a 80 to 20 ratio

[@GrowVeg]

Here in the UK I often use New Horizon's Peat-Free Multipurpose Compost (the British name for potting mix, confusingly).

[@ev1677]

@GrowVeg That makes sense. Thanks so much, was getting so confused.

[@FreddietheFly]

I just bought raspberries in a container. I bought the variety for my zone (2). It gets cold here, as low as -30C during the winter. Should I bring the container in for the winter? If so do I still have to water or will the plant go dormant until Spring when I can take it outside again?

[@GrowVeg]

That is very cold! I would probably look to bring it in somewhere a little bit warmer, but not necessarily warm. Somewhere that still gets quite cold but doesn’t get quite as cold. I would drop the watering right down as the plants will be dormant anyhow. Just water maybe once or twice over the winter if the potting mix gets really dry. Then bring it back outside to start growing again once the worst of the winter is over.

[@FreddietheFly]

@@GrowVeg Thanks. I was thinking that would be the best way.

[@lynsey1187]

Novice here! 😊 How do you know that the raspberries you get are the shorter growing ones and not the long ones?

[@GrowVeg]

I bought a shorter-growing raspberry - I ordered one from an online supplier and the variety description specifically said it was a shorter-growing variety for containers. You can check by reading the variety descriptions and looking for a patio/container type of raspberry.

[@niricoelmingo4721]

To keep the birds and other animals away I was thinking of using a wire mesh. Would that keep pollinators out, or are they (pollinators) not needed.

[@GrowVeg]

Pollinating insects can fly through most bird netting. Wire mesh may be okay, depending on the size of the mesh. But to be on the safe side I would only add it once the plants have finished flowering.

[@WilsonsWanderings]

I had to prune one of my blueberry bushes quite aggressively at the end of this summer; will it grow back next year?

[@Ryanrulesok]

Yes they will providing you havent cut it too short and the stems have hardened off

[@Emkato]

Had no idea Stephen Merchant was such a knowledgeable horticulturalist

[@GrowVeg]

He's a man of many talents!

[@sonyaw7054]

​@@GrowVeghi do you use just normal woodchip as a mulch .not pine one ? I've used normal but not sure if I'm right many thanks x

[@donnabailey5325]

Hi. Can i use hay instead of wood mulch? Thankyou in advance.

[@GrowVeg]

Yes, that would be absolutely fine. :-)

[@goddessmother]

The birds love my currants so much that I barely get any for myself.

[@stevenschnepp576]

Or a cat.

[@nybass5062]

Would blackberries do as well as raspberries? Or are they totally different?

[@GrowVeg]

You can find dwarf varieties of blackberries for growing in containers - so these would be a great option also.

[@dcollings]

Is there a particular type of blueberry bush you’d recommend growing in a pot?

[@GrowVeg]

Most types of blueberries grow well in pots. Some varieties are especially recommended because they are a little more compact, e.g. Peach Sorbet and Jelly Bean.

[@bipbip6626]

Can i ask you a [ 2?]question/ raspberries? With that pot: Will you need to transfert within 2 years each plant to one pot each? Why are they so near each other? How many can you expect per plant, with a dwarf variety and so little space to grow?

[@GrowVeg]

The raspberries planted are dwarf varieties, so should be fine in that container for some years to come. I will need to perhaps replace the top inch or two of old potting mix with fresh from time to time, to keep plants happy. And, of course, feed them. I'm not sure how many raspberries to expect to be honest. As they are dwarf types, I would expect the total harvest to be less than that taken from standard-sized raspberry canes.

[@emilyw2790]

Is potting mix same as compost please?

[@GrowVeg]

Yes it is. I use 'potting mix' to be more easily understood internationally. But if you are in the UK, potting mix is exactly the same as bought-in bags of compost. All-purpose potting mix, for example, is the same as multipurpose compost.

[@emilyw2790]

@@GrowVeg ah amazing thank you. Have previously used all purpose in our veg trough

[@christiensgarden3325]

What is the variety of raspberries that you planted

[@GrowVeg]

It's called 'Summer Lovers Patio Red'.

[@kerencolsten7351]

do you need to plant more than one blueberry bush so they will pollinate each other?

[@GrowVeg]

They self-pollinate, so no. But if you have two or three of them close by you’ll find the pollination is much better and you should get even more berries.

[@pakbowl420]

What's the name of the raspberry variety you planted?

[@GrowVeg]

The raspberry I planted is called 'Summer Lovers Patio Red' but there are other dwarf varieties available.

[@andyfarmer759]

I have bought blackberries for pots this year what mix would you recommend for best results?

[@Ryanrulesok]

Mix of acidic soil and compost and feed

[@andyfarmer759]

@@Ryanrulesok Thank you

[@GrowVeg]

Yes, something similar to what I used for the raspberries would be ideal.

[@andyfarmer759]

@@GrowVeg Thanks Ben, I will do that when I pot them on.

[@sarahhuggins7217]

What is the name of variety of raspberry you planted?

[@GrowVeg]

It’s called ‘Summer Lovers Patio Red’, but there are a few varieties of container raspberry available.

[@Biabueno78]

What variety of raspberry is that that grows up to 3 feet???? If anyone knows please let me know where can I get it? I’m in the US.

[@GrowVeg]

It's called 'Summer Lovers Patio Red' but you may find other varieties like this. E.g. www.bushelandberry.com/raspberry-shortcake

[@master11pizza63]

Here in the US currants remain illegal to grow in many states due to laws to prevent disease. You must check your specific state law and what cultivars may be legal to grow.

[@GrowVeg]

Great advice, many thanks.

[@hobbygardeninthewoods]

Are three raspberry plants (like shown in the video) not too many for one pot??

[@GrowVeg]

They are in almost tall cases, but the variety I planted is a dwarf type specifically for growing closer together like this.

[@hobbygardeninthewoods]

@@GrowVeg thanks for replying! I will look for the dwarf kind