Who doesn’t love being able to wander out to their garden and grab a handful of blueberries or a crisp, juicy apple? Fruit trees and berry bushes make simply unbeatable additions to any landscape or patio. They are absolutely stunning and produce naturally delicious and nutritious crops, and they also help to support local pollinators. In honour of the rapidly-approaching planting season, I wanted to take a moment to introduce you to some of my favourite fruit trees and berry bushes that will thrive in Guelph’s spring climate.
Blueberries
Blueberry bushes are an especially popular choice for Guelph gardeners every spring. These sweet and nutritious berries are easy to grow and maintain, making them an excellent choice for beginners and experienced gardeners. Better yet, blueberry bushes come in tons of unique varieties, including some which are ideal for growing in pots on your patio and even some which produce berries in different colours!
Blueberry bushes grow best in acidic soil with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5, so be sure to use an acidic potting mix or test your soil before planting. You can also add Fafard Acid-Loving Plants & Berries Soil and Fafard Acid Loving Plants & Berries Fertilizer.
Make sure you space your blueberry bushes as far apart as they will grow tall—if they’ll grow to four feet tall, plant them four feet apart. Ensure they receive full sun so they produce as much fruit as possible.
Serviceberries
Serviceberry or Saskatoon berry bushes are an excellent, delicious and nutritious choice for any Guelph garden this spring: they’re native, pollinators love them, they flower in April, fruit in June, and produce breathtaking fall colour. In addition, these bushes can tolerate a wide range of soil types, grow well in both full sun and partial shade, and require very little maintenance once established. Mature bushes develop a lovely architectural form that is stunning when lit by garden lights or decorated with Christmas lights in winter when all their berries are gone. Make sure you plant your serviceberry bushes at least 12–15 feet apart.
Spring is the perfect time to plant fruit trees and berry bushes in your Guelph garden. Not only do these plants provide delicious and healthy snacks, but they can add beauty and pollinator value to your landscape!
Strawberries
Whether grown from the ground or in a hanging basket, strawberries are an amazing way to incorporate fruit into your garden. I mean, let’s face it: on a warm spring or summer day, nothing quite compares to a fresh, home-grown strawberry in your hand. Plus, they’re perfect for little fingers! In the landscape, strawberries make a gorgeous ground cover and serve as a beautiful spiller plant in patio pots. Best of all, they’re low maintenance, making them some of the best berry bushes to grow with your kids! Just make sure they’re in a spot with well-drained soil and keep them watered, and you’ll be good to go.
Apples
Apples are a classic fruit tree that adds both function and aesthetics to your Guelph garden. These trees require a bit more maintenance than berry bushes, but their delicious fruit and structural beauty make them well worth the effort. They also make fantastic privacy hedges when planted in succession or you can train them as espaliers. Apple trees require full sun to produce the most fruit, and grow best in well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Make sure you space your apple trees about 10–15 feet apart this spring and prune them regularly to maintain their shape and productivity. As for varieties, my personal favourite is the honeycrisp!
Weeping Mulberry
Spring greens make fantastic additions to any garden, from both a decorative standpoint and a culinary one! Lettuce is a particularly fantastic choice for Guelph gardeners because you can start them easily in early spring from seeds and can sow them every two weeks, allowing you to constantly change things up throughout the season! I prefer a bit of variety in my meals, so I love growing lettuce because it lets me add different flavours and textures to my plate every week!
Spring is the perfect time to plant fruit trees and berry bushes in your Guelph garden. If you’re ready to start planting, be sure to visit us at Royal City Nursery in Guelph, ON, for a wide variety of fruit trees and spring berry bushes!
