I just moved to my property a year ago and I'll be buying berry plants next week from a local farmer! I'm in 5B, Northern Illinois. I'm so excited about having fresh berries again! I had berry plants growing up... Raspberries, Currants, Blueberries... But I haven't been able to grow any in many years. I'll be picking up Honeyberry, Black Currant, Red Currant, Aronia, Elderberry, and Concord Grape. I have a lot of shady areas on my little acre, but I'll just have to make it work. Now to find White Currant, Blackberry, Chocolate Vine, Hawthorn, Sea Buckthorn, Serviceberry, and Nanking Cherry. I'm also attempting to grow from seed Goji Berry, Raspberry, Strawberry, Hardy Kiwi, Cranberry, and others. What's the berry that's like Cranberry but easier to grow? Is it Lingonberry? I also have growing wild Gooseberries and Mulberries. The Gooseberries I waited until they turned purple last year to taste and by then they were too mushy and bland. Can they be picked and eaten earlier while they're still a bit green? I'm also wondering if Guomi Berry would grow in my area. Would Autumn Olive be considered a berry? Any tips for planting bare root plants?
