It’s officially that time… the benches are filling up and the growing season is starting to feel very real. From bold summer blooms to homegrown berries, we’ve got everything you need to get planting.

This week’s spotlight: berry + fruit seedlings (because nothing beats harvesting from your own yard).

The quick rules
(before you plant anything)

When to plant (Zones 4–6)

• As soon as the ground is workable and you can dig (cool spring days are perfect).
• Avoid planting into frozen soil or a soaking-wet hole.
• Water well after planting, and keep evenly moist for the first few weeks.

What you’ll need (the essentials)

• Shovel + gloves
• Compost or triple mix (to improve the planting area)
• Mulch (wood chips/straw) to hold moisture + block weeds
• Watering can/hose
• Plant ties + supports (trellis/stakes for vines and brambles)
• Optional but helpful: soil test (especially for blueberries)

The #1 mistake

Planting into poor soil and hoping fertilizer fixes it.
Soil structure + moisture management are what make seedlings take off.

Planting guide by type
(how to plant + what to add)

Brambles
(Raspberry, Blackberry, Boysenberry, Loganberry, Marionberry)

Where: Full sun is best (6–8+ hrs).
Soil: Well-drained, compost-rich soil.

How to plant

• Dig a hole 2x as wide as the root ball (same depth).
• Mix compost into the native soil.
• Plant at the same depth it was growing in the pot.
• Water deeply, then mulch 2–3" (keep mulch off the stem).

Support + tools

• Trellis or wire support makes harvesting easier and keeps canes healthy.

Fertilizer

• Go gentle year one. Compost + a light spring feed is plenty once established.

Companion planting

• Great companions: chives, thyme, marigolds, alyssum (pollinators + beneficial insects).
• Avoid planting right beside potatoes (disease pressure overlap can increase).

Currants + Gooseberries
(Currant, Gooseberry)

Where: Sun to part shade (they’re more shade-tolerant than most fruits).
Soil: Moist but well-drained; compost helps.

How to plant

• Same depth as the pot.
• Mulch well (they love steady moisture).

Companion planting

• Underplant with clover, alyssum, yarrow to support pollinators and beneficial insects.

Blueberries
(Blueberry)

Blueberries are the “special soil” fruit, worth it, but they need the right pH.

Where: Full sun.
Soil: Acidic (pH ~4.5–5.5) and well-drained.

How to plant

• Dig wide.
• Amend with peat moss + compost (and consider soil acidifier if needed).
• Water deeply and mulch heavily with pine bark / pine needles / wood chips.

Fertilizer

• Use an acid-loving plant fertilizer (lightly). Avoid heavy manure-based fertilizers.

Companion planting

• Great companions: lingonberry, thyme, pollinator flowers nearby.
• Avoid planting near concrete runoff areas (lime raises pH).

Haskap / Honeyberry
(Haskap Honeyberry)

Where: Full sun to part sun; very cold-hardy.
Soil: More forgiving than blueberries, still likes good drainage.

How to plant

• Plant like a shrub: same depth as pot, compost mixed in.
• Mulch to keep roots cool and moist.

Big tip: Many varieties fruit best with a pollination partner nearby.

Companion planting

• Great with early spring flowers (they bloom early, so pollinators matter).

Grapes + Hardy Kiwi
(Grape Seedlings, Hardy Kiwi Seedlings)

These are vigorous vines, plan the structure first.

Where: Full sun, warm spot, wind protection helps.
Soil: Well-drained.

How to plant

• Dig wide, plant at pot depth.
• Install trellis/arbor at planting time (don’t wait).
• Water consistently the first season.

Tools

• Trellis/arbor, plant ties, and eventually pruners (vines need pruning).

Companion planting

• Underplant with clover, thyme, alyssum to suppress weeds and support beneficial insects.

Goji + Elderberry
(Goji Seedlings, Elderberry Seedlings)

Where: Full sun to part sun.
Soil: Compost-rich, well-drained.

How to plant

• Plant like shrubs: same depth as pot.
• Mulch and water consistently while establishing.

Companion planting

• Great near pollinator gardens and mixed hedgerows.

Strawberry Seedlings

The fastest “reward” plant.

Where: Full sun.
Soil: Rich, well-drained, consistent moisture.

How to plant

• Don’t bury the crown (the center growing point).
• Mulch with straw to keep fruit clean and retain moisture.
• Water consistently during flowering and fruiting.

Companion planting

• Great companions: borage, alyssum, chives.

Hardy Fig Seedlings
(Hardy Fig)

Where: The warmest microclimate you have (south-facing wall is ideal).
Soil: Well-drained; containers work great in colder zones.

How to plant

• Plant in a protected spot or a large container.
• Mulch heavily and protect in winter (especially Zone 4–5).

Companion planting

• Mediterranean herb vibe: thyme, rosemary (in pots), oregano.

“Add-ons” that make a big difference

Mulch (highly recommended)

• Holds moisture, blocks weeds, protects roots from temperature swings.
• Keep mulch a few inches away from the stem/trunk.

Compost / triple mix

• Best “all-purpose” planting boost for most fruit seedlings.

Drainage help (if your soil is heavy clay)

• Improve the area (wider bed), not just the hole.
• Consider raised planting or mixing in compost to loosen soil.
• Use drainage aggregates carefully, better in base layers/raised builds than in a single planting hole.

Ready to plant?
We’ll help you match the right seedling to the right spot.

Bring a quick photo of your space (or tell us: sun/shade + soil type), and we’ll guide you on:

• what to plant where
• what supports you’ll need (trellis/wires)
• which soil boosters make the biggest impact

Stop in-store and let’s get your yard growing.