This year we are probably going to try some strawberries, but no more than an acre and probably more like 1/4 acre. Reliable labor is nearly non-existent around here so we don't want to get into a situation that we can't handle by ourselves, if necessary.
Gardengirl, yesterday we ventured into Lowe's for some plumbing supplies and they had just received a beautiful shipment of fruit plants. In fact, they were still boxed and waiting to be put out on display. We dug in and got 4 blueberry bushes, 2 Thompson seedless grapes and 2 raspberries. I also got a new fig variety at the Ag show 2 weeks ago. I really can't wait to get these set out, and if you have any information that wouldn't take long to share, I'm all ears!
I wanted to buy a few blue berry bushes last year. Just for personal consumption of course.
Strawberries are tempermental. Every year you need to plow up about 1/3 of your patch and rotate the patch. I had a small patch but the berries were not too big and the squirrels got most of them so I mowed it off.
Growing the berries is one thing. But you have to have somewhere to sell them before they are ready. They don’t have a very long shelf life.
If you can grow them down by you, Red Lake Currant bushes are nice. A very pretty red jewel-like berry (plentiful!) that makes great jellies and juice. You do need some sugar, though. They’re not sweet like blueberries and strawberries.
I prefer to buy pick-your-own on the strawberries. Harvesting them IS back-breaking work. I had a patch at one time; to me, it’s more work than it’s worth, though the strawberry ‘towers’ that I sell seem to be pretty good.
Blueberries need an acidic soil, so make sure you’re amending with the right stuff. Soil Sulfur has gone waaaay up in price because sulfur is an offshoot of the oil industry. Sound icky, I know, LOL!
So, you’ll have some expensive blueberries on your hands. You could try Miracle Grow Miracid. That would be a bit cheaper.
Also invest in netting because the SECOND they’re ripe, the birds and critters will be all over those blueberries.
You’re right—my thinking is too linear, I guess. I’m still thinking row crops/corn, soy beans, etc. Strawberries can do well, but like any gardening endeavor, weather, disease and season dependent. Plus you’ve got to have irrigation, a spray program, someone to pick, etc. They’re not the strawberry patches we grew up with for sure.
Glad you found some fruits and berries. Can’t remember where you are, but I hope they do well. Blueberries like acid soil but are otherwise fairly easy to grow. Don’t know about seedless grapes, except that I love to eat them. They won’t live here—muscadines only for us. Raspberries are my favorite, esp black ones. They won’t do here either—too hot and humid. :( Figs—no problem. They just need plenty of sunshine, limey soil, and lots of water. Once it gets going, you can take cuttings—we did ours last month—and make lots more. :) Lowes gets a lot of stuff, but you have to be careful—it’s not always the best plant for the area.
Go online and check your county extension site—they should have all sorts of info pamphlets specific to your area. Have fun!!