When can blackberries/blueberries/straw...

[nancylee]

strawberries go into the ground? I live in Zone 5A, it snowed two days ago. Our last frost is generally Memorial Day weekend. I see some of the berry bushes being sold bare roots? Can those go in the ground now?

Any help is greatly appreciate!! It is amazing how much knowledge everyone here has!
nancy

[Callieslamb]

I'm zone 6. We got snow yesterday. Mine new plants (400 of them) have been in the ground for a week. I'd plant them if you can get into the area.

[luvrulz]

You usually plant blueberries in the fall, however, they will succeed any time you put them in. Dig a hole, fill it with peat moss and plant. Repeat until finished.

[nancylee]

Thank you!! I need to go buy some now!!
Nancy

[City Bound]

If the ground is free enough to dig and the plants are still dormant, there should be not problem, except strawberries. I would mulch the strawberries with straw or leaves to keep them protected.I am in zone seven, I cover my strawberries with straw every fall to give them a little warmth and put dormant plants in the ground in late fall or very early spring, lilke the small window where the winter and spring mingle. if you cant get out there and dig, keep your dormant strawberry plants in the fridge until you can.

I had to keep my leek sets in the fridge this year until the ground thawed.

[kan-green]

Home growers can plant blueberries anytime, commercial growers should plant in the fall. Just prepare the ground as luvrulz stated and keep them watered and mulched. The blossoms should be pulled off the first couple of years so the plants can properly develop root structure. Good luck.

[ronbre]

May
esp if they have leaves on them, they could freeze

[vallyfarm]

I run a strawberry/blub/rasb U-pik farm and am at the top of zone 5. I always wait till the 3rd week of May. This ensures the ground is warm enough to not shock the roots. We just had a few small hail storms roll through here in the last couple of days. Planting now makes these things, and frost/freezing at night. Years ago when I was in too much of a rush to plant I'd lose a good lot of them, by waiting I may lose 1% or so stbys, and never lost any blue/rasb plants. Mike