Arbor Day Message Board

[Altarboy]

I live in rural Tennessee in a valley. I have some blue berries, black berries, and some raspberries. I planted all of the above last year and none ever grew and eventually all died. The seller exchanged them for me. The sign at the market said "plant now for summer harvest" or something like that. My problem is that we will get frost and maybe hard freezes for another month or so. Is it too early to plant?

[Newt]

Hi Altarboy,

I get your hardiness zone as 6. I'm in zone 7 and wouldn't plant shrubs now. Besides, the earth is still frozen and there is still snow cover. I'd wait for at least another month.

Here's some sites you should find helpful for you to succeed this time with your plantings.
http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/trees/f1147w.htm
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-701/426-701.html#L5
http://www.watersaver.org/pdfs/shrub_watering_recommendations.pdf

http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/fruit/raspberries.html
http://ssfruit.cas.psu.edu/Brambles.htm
http://ssfruit.cas.psu.edu/Blueberries.htm

http://muextension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/hort/g06000.htm

Newt