I harvested 2 lbs 9.6 oz of blackberries this morning, and that wasn't even half of what's out there ready to pick! At the current rate of $0.67/oz for organic blackberries at the store, that makes this a ~ $28 harvest! Woohoo! 🙌 To celebrate, here are some fun facts about growing blackberries. 😊 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝗼𝗶𝗹: A pH of 6.0–6.5 is their sweet spot, the same range as blueberries and strawberries. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝘂𝗻: Less sun = fewer berries. They want at least 6–8 hours a day. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗲: - Floricane varieties produce on second-year canes. So you plant, wait a year, then harvest. - Primocane (everbearing) varieties fruit in their very first season AND again the following year, giving you two crops from one plant. 𝗣𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 = 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: It feels counterintuitive, but pruning canes during the growing season encourages branching, which means more fruiting sites. Don't skip it! 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗸: - Wait until there's zero red or pink left on the berry, AND it comes off the cane with almost no effort. If you're tugging, it's not ready. - Bonus tip: ripe blackberries lose their glossy shine and look slightly dull. That matte finish = peak sweetness. Pick those! 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆'𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱: A well-maintained planting can produce for 15+ years. Plant them once and enjoy them for a long, long time. ⚠️ 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘆𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺: - Blackberries spread, and they spread fast. New canes will pop up beyond where you planted them, so you want to be able to spot and remove any strays easily. - Keep them away from your main garden beds and annual veggie areas. They will absolutely take over if given the chance. A dedicated spot with clear boundaries is the move! Are you growing blackberries? Thinking about it?

It's time for another Live Q&A today!! 🎉(5/15) 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁? This is your opportunity to ask ANYTHING you want and get on-the-spot coaching + live troubleshooting & guidance. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗜 𝗱𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲: • So you never feel stuck • You always know what to do next • You get specific answers to your personal situation (not one-size-fits-all advice) • For us to spend intentional time together as a community & learn from each other So, come join us!! 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀: • Drop your questions below, and I’ll answer them live during the session • If you can’t make it live, catch the replay afterward & read the recap notes • If you’re not sure what to ask, just come listen! 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 & 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻: • Check the Calendar tab to view it in your time zone, then add it to your personal calendar so you don’t miss it! • When it's time, click the "🔴LIVE" icon at the top of the community feed, OR click the join link from the calendar tab 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀? Send me a message, and I'll get ya all hooked up! Excited to see y’all! 🤗

Hi Megan, Below is a picture of a strawberry plant I planted today. I have had them for a few days, however I'm just getting to get a chance to plant them. I have 4, the other 3 are in great shape....the one below......I'm not sure if I should give a few days to see if any life shows up or maybe get another plant to replace it. Please let me know your thoughts. Judy Fishpaw

Hi Megan, I have planted many seeds and some are doing great while others, not so much. Should I resow? If so, when? I have the tower set up, not as if that really matters!

Hi Megan, I have a tower that I'm growing in. These are pictures of two views of my tomatoes. These are bush tomatoes, do I stake them?