The Backyard Berry Book: A Hands-On Guide to Growing Berries, Brambles, and Vine Fruit in the Home Garden (Paperback)

by Stella Otto (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
In the late 20th century, unfortunately, berries are seen primarily in the supermarket at certain times of year, and while this is welcome, it used to be that everyone had a few berry bushes in the backyard: some currants, some gooseberries and a few rhubarb plants. Stella Otto explains how to bring this tradition back and raise lush crops of berries and fruit with pointers on soil nutrition, plant nutrients and mulching that will make your home-grown berries the envy of folks who only see them in the supermarket. This mouth-watering book will get you going.

From Booklist
Otto focuses on what she calls small fruit, fruit that does not grow on trees but as a cultivated, perennial crop on small plants, canes, bushes, or vines--strawberries, rhubarbs, brambles (raspberries and blackberries), blueberries, lingonberries, currants, gooseberries, grapes, and kiwi fruit. She begins with a chapter on site selection and preparation, continuing with chapters on plant selection and propagation; berry botany; soil nutrition, photosynthesis, and water; pest control; and diseases. Chapters detailing the growing of these small fruits complete the book, along with troubleshooting questions and answers, a seasonal activity calendar, and a glossary. George Cohen

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Ottographics (April 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963452061
• ISBN-13: 978-0963452061
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,965 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #2 in	Books > Home & Garden > Gardening & Horticulture > By Plant > Berries
  #3 in	Books > Home & Garden > Gardening & Horticulture > By Plant > Grapes
  #7 in	Books > Home & Garden > Gardening & Horticulture > Fruit

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent resource, October 14, 2003

By	Heather Degeorge "book-ie monster" (North Plainfield, NJ United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While I occasionally found the lack of something I felt to be important (like what HEIGHT should my blackberry trellis be?!) I found this to be, overall, and invaluable resource in understanding exactly what the differences were in berries, pitfalls of growing (and harvesting), pruning, diseases, caveats and just setting the growers expectations (so you're neither disappointed or overwhelmed by your results). I haven't found another book that covers the subject so well on such a variety of berries (including grapes, lingonberries and currants). It's written in a way that takes the ABSOLUTE NOVICE into a really good understanding--well above the norm. While it left a handful of details for you to seek out (and truly, not many and not hard to find) I would buy it again and again. It has made a difference in my garden.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Berry Growing Basics for Beginners, January 21, 2006

By	Robert A. Williams "libertarian" (Oberlin, OH United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Stella Otto uses plain language and ample illustrations to cover the basics of growing small fruit. Her book contains separate chapters for strawberries, blueberries, brambles, grapes, kiwis, gooseberries, currants, lingonberries and even rhubarb in the backyard garden. The coverage of varieties of each fruit and varietal differences is good, which is why each fruit requires a chapter.

First the fundamentals of growing small fruit are surveyed, including site selection, stock selection, methods of propagation, berry botany, soil nutrition, pH, irrigation, and other cultural practices. Then pest control is discussed including organic versus non-organic controls and Integrated Pest Management techniques that reduce the need for chemical controls. Lastly there are charts, resource lists, and trouble-shooting guides provided in the reference section of this book.

Well worth consulting before planning your berry patch!

30 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Good Addition to Your Gardening Library, December 30, 1999

By	"jillfennell" (MO) - See all my reviews

This book provides both basic and detailed knowledge needed to start berries growing in your own yard. Although, I found this book extremely useful, I would not have it as the only berry growing reference in my library.