AMERICAN GARDENER

A shady backyard does not have to mean giving up on berries. Although many of the most popular fruit crops produce their largest harvests in full sun, several berry-producing shrubs can tolerate partial shade, woodland conditions, or filtered light. Currants and gooseberries are particularly well suited to shade, while serviceberries, elderberries, chokeberries, and some native … Read more

Heirloom tomatoes have a way of making an ordinary vegetable garden feel much more interesting. Unlike the uniform supermarket tomatoes that are usually selected for firmness, shelf life, and shipping ability, heirlooms come in an astonishing range of colors, shapes, sizes, textures, and flavors. A single garden bed can contain tomatoes that are pink, purple, … Read more

Thorny berry bushes have a special place in the garden. They can produce delicious fruit while also creating dense, protective growth that can provide shelter for birds and other wildlife. Some are traditional backyard fruit crops, while others are native shrubs valued more for wildlife and ornamental interest. Not every berry-producing shrub has true thorns. … Read more

Growing huckleberries successfully starts below the surface. These distinctive berry plants are adapted to woodland environments where the soil is often acidic, rich in organic material, moist but not waterlogged, and naturally well aerated. Trying to grow them in ordinary garden soil without considering these conditions can result in weak growth and poor fruit production. … Read more

Growing berry bushes in a backyard can turn an ordinary garden into a productive edible landscape. Unlike many fruit trees, berry bushes generally require less space and can be incorporated into borders, hedges, raised beds, or dedicated fruit gardens. University extension services recommend many small fruits for home gardens, including blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, currants, gooseberries, … Read more

Huckleberries are woodland-adapted plants that look especially natural when grown alongside other species that enjoy similar conditions. Rather than treating a huckleberry as an isolated shrub, you can build a layered planting around it using trees, shrubs, ferns, ground covers, and flowering natives. The best companion plants depend on the huckleberry species. Red huckleberry (Vaccinium … Read more

Fresh huckleberries are a seasonal treat, but their delicate skin and high moisture content mean they can spoil surprisingly quickly when left at room temperature. Whether you picked them from your garden, bought them from a local grower, or gathered them from a permitted wild-harvesting area, proper storage can help preserve their flavor and texture. … Read more

Fresh huckleberries are one of those seasonal fruits that can make ordinary recipes feel special. Their small size and intense flavor make them excellent for everything from breakfast dishes and desserts to sauces, drinks, and preserves. Depending on the species and ripeness, huckleberries can have a sweet-tart flavor with a distinctive wild-fruit character. If you … Read more

Huckleberries are prized for their distinctive flavor, but getting a generous harvest can be more challenging than simply keeping the plant alive. A healthy huckleberry may produce plenty of foliage while setting relatively few flowers or berries if its soil, light, moisture, pollination, or growing environment is not right. The good news is that fruit … Read more