There’s nothing quite like stepping into your own backyard and picking fresh, juicy berries straight from the plant. Whether you love sweet strawberries, tangy raspberries, or unique currants, growing small fruits at home is rewarding, cost-effective, and easier than you might think!

If you live in Southeastern Idaho, you might wonder which berries grow best in the region’s unique climate and how to care for them properly. This guide will walk you through the essentials of variety selection, planting, pruning, and long-term care for small fruits in our area.

Why Grow Your Own Berries and Small Fruits?

Before diving into the details, here are a few reasons why you should consider adding berries and small fruiting plants to your garden:

• Fresh and Flavorful – Homegrown berries taste far better than store-bought options, which are often picked early for shipping.
• Cost-Effective – A few plants can produce pounds of fruit each season, saving money in the long run.
• Nutrient-Rich – Berries
  are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, making them a healthy addition to your diet.
• Low-Maintenance Options – Once established, many small fruits require minimal care and produce for years.
• Attract Pollinators – Berry plants bring bees, butterflies, and birds to your garden, enhancing biodiversity.

If you’re ready to get started, let’s explore the best berries for Southeastern Idaho and how to grow them successfully.

Best Berries and Small Fruits for Southeastern Idaho

The region’s cold winters and short growing season mean that choosing hardy, zone-appropriate varieties is crucial. Below are some of the best options for Zone 4-5 gardeners in Southeastern Idaho.

Strawberries (Fragaria spp.)

Strawberries are one of the easiest and most rewarding small fruits to grow.

Best Varieties for Southeastern Idaho:

• June-bearing (e.g., ‘Honeoye’, ‘Jewel’)
  • Large crops in early summer.
• Everbearing (e.g., ‘Quinault’, ‘Fort Laramie’)
  • Smaller, continuous harvests throughout summer.
• Day-neutral (e.g., ‘Albion’, ‘Seascape’)
  • Produce fruit regardless of daylight hours.

Planting Tips:

• Choose a full-sun location with well-draining, sandy loam soil
• Space plants 12-18 inches apart in rows, allowing room for runners to spread.
• Mulch with straw to retain moisture and prevent fruit rot.

Pruning & Care:

• Remove flowers from first-year plants to encourage root development.
• Thin out older plants every 3-4 years to maintain strong production.

Need strawberry plants? Visit Town and Country Gardens for top-performing varieties suited to our region!

Raspberries (Rubus idaeus)

Raspberries are hardy and thrive in Southeastern Idaho’s cooler climate.

Best Varieties for Southeastern Idaho:

• Summer-bearing (e.g., ‘Canby’)
  • Produces a large summer crop.

• Everbearing (Fall-bearing) (e.g., ‘Joan J.’, ‘Anne’)
  • Produces in summer and again in fall.

Planting Tips:

• Plant in full sun with rich, well-draining soil.
• Space canes 2-3 feet apart in rows.
• Provide a trellis or support system to keep canes upright.

Pruning & Care:

• Prune summer-bearing varieties after fruiting, removing old canes.
• For everbearing varieties, cut canes to the ground in winter for a larger fall crop.

Currants (Ribes spp.)

Currants are often overlooked but are excellent for jams, jellies, and fresh eating.

Best Varieties for Southeastern Idaho:

• Red currants (e.g., ‘Red Lake’)
  • Tart, great for preserves.
• Black currants (e.g., ‘Consort’)
  • Rich in antioxidants, used in juices and syrups.
• White currants (e.g., ‘Primus’, ‘White Imperial’)
  • Sweeter and milder in flavor.

Planting Tips:

• Plant in full sun to partial shade
• Space bushes 4-5 feet apart
• Currants tolerate heavier soils, but good drainage is still important.

Pruning & Care:

• Remove old stems every 3-4 years to encourage new growth.
• Keep the center of the bush open for good air circulation.

Honeyberries (Lonicera caerulea)

Also known as Haskap berries, honeyberries thrive due to their cold-hardiness and ability to tolerate late frosts.

Best Varieties for Southeastern Idaho:

• Early Bloomers (e.g., ‘Aurora’, ‘Borealis’).
• Late Bloomers (e.g., ‘Boreal Beast’, ‘Boreal Beauty’, ‘Boreal Blizzard’).

Planting Tips:

• Plant at least two different varieties for cross-pollination and better yields.
• Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil (pH 5.5-7.5).

Pruning & Care:

• Minimal pruning in early years; prune mature plants in late winter to remove dead wood.
• Mulch heavily to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Planting and Long-Term Care Tips

• Soil Preparation – Most berries prefer slightly acidic, well-draining soil. Consider adding compost or organic matter to improve fertility.
• Watering Needs – Keep plants well-watered, especially in their first year. A deep soaking once a week is better than frequent light watering.
• Fertilizing – Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring and again after fruiting. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can promote leafy growth at the expense of fruit.
• Winter Protection – Mulch around the base of plants to protect roots from extreme cold. For grapes, consider wrapping vines with burlap in severe winters.

Common Pests

• Aphids – Use insecticidal soap or ladybugs to control outbreaks.
• Birds – Netting can protect ripening berries from being eaten.
• Slugs & Snails – Use beer traps or diatomaceous earth around plants.
• Spider Mites – Hose down leaves to remove mites and improve humidity.

Start Growing Berries in Your Backyard Today!

Growing berries and small fruits is a rewarding and delicious way to make your yard more productive. By selecting the right varieties for Southeastern Idaho, following proper planting techniques, and giving your plants the care they need, you’ll enjoy years of sweet, homegrown harvests.

Need help choosing the best berries for your garden? Visit Town and Country Gardens for expert advice and premium plants!

Join Us for a Free Seminar!

Want to learn more about growing strawberries, raspberries, grapes, and currants? Join us for a FREE seminar at Town and Country Gardens on March 1st at 10 a.m.!

• When: Saturday, March 1st, at 10 a.m.
• Where: Town and Country Gardens
• What: Learn about variety selection, planting, pruning, and long-term care for berries and small fruits.

Stop by and get expert advice, high-quality berry plants, and all the supplies you need to grow a thriving fruit garden!