Berry bushes bring nutritious sweetness into your edible landscape. There are suitable varieties for every size of yard or patio, from fence climbers to patio pots. They’re usually planted in Spring and grow almost anywhere in Canada, so you’ll often find them in garden centres this time of year.
1. Raspberries
Raspberries need no introduction and most of us have seen them growing somewhere. You’ll often find them in pies or muffins and they’re a favourite for homemade preserves. They’re packed with vitamin C, vitamin B6, manganese, magnesium, and dietary fiber.
2. Blueberries
Blueberries are an antioxidant powerhouse, with flavonoids on top. Antioxidants assist in fighting free radicals in your body that cause cell damage. They’re delicious in muffins, cheesecake, pancakes, syrup, and smoothies. They’re one of the few berries that fare well in the freezer as well.
3. Saskatoon Berries
Often mistaken for blueberries, Saskatoon Berries are every bit as tasty and nutritious. Even the smallest varieties (such as Honeywood) reach quite a size, so you’ll need ample garden space for it. When they’re covered in white blooms they make a bold statement! Enjoy Saskatoon Berries in jams, pies and other deserts.
This berry bush wins the award for the most common names.
“Amelanchier alnifolia, the Saskatoon [Berry], Pacific Serviceberry, Western Serviceberry, Alder-leaf Shadbush, Dwarf Shadbush, Chuckley Pear, or Western Juneberry, is a shrub with edible berry-like fruit, native to North America, from Alaska across most of western Canada and in the western and north-central United States,” says Wikipedia. “Historically, it was also called pigeon berry.”
4. Blackberries
Blackberries are a staple in locations where they grow wild, but they’re a little less popular in cultivated form. They’re easy to grow and make very good jam or jelly. Try them fresh from your garden for a big helping of antioxidants and vitamins.
5. Gooseberries
Gooseberries will add delectable variety to your berry harvest. They’re packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Try Gooseberries in sauces, make a unique pie, or enjoy them fresh.
6. Strawberries
Strawberries are the most versatile berries to grow, with varieties that thrive in average-size pots or in a garden. They’re bursting with vitamin C and dietary fiber. Strawberries are old favourites for jam, jelly and deserts, but are also delicious fresh from the garden. We have recipes for both strawberry freezer jam and traditional strawberry jam, if you’d like to try your hand at preserves.
Fresh is Best
It would be difficult to argue the fact that berries are the best-tasting way to improve our health. They’re even more nutritious when eaten fresh from your garden, where they’ll more than earn the space they take. You’ll save a lot of money growing your own, but you may have to fight the birds for the bounty!
Have you grown berry bushes in your Canadian garden? Which is your favourite?
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My blueberry bushes went in this year. I cannot WAIT to eat fresh blueberries and bake with them. They taste SO much better!
We attract the birds in our area so unfortunately unless you keep up in the early stages of growth the birds get to our berries first. Last year we tried ceramic owls, cats… but after a day or two the birds figure it out. Have to keep moving them around.
I’m going to try full size tomatoes in a pot this year. I’ve done cherry tomatoes but not full size ones. I’m also thinking of growing peas in a tomato cage in a pot as well. I just have a small deck but it gets lots of sun.
I’d love to have lots of berries growing & freeze them for smoothies. I’m realizing how important it is to have our own food supply. I don’t have a big garden but I’m slowly building up the variety. Thanks for the berry good ideas HAHA!
While I was out buying gardening supplies last year I came across hanging strawberry plants at our local garden center. I LOVED the idea of it and ended up picking one up to try it out. Now, having had success with that last year, I think we’re going to add a few more around the back yard… They don’t take up any ground room, and look kinda pretty hanging too! It’s a win/win