In 2009, edible gardening surged in popularity, and the trend is expected to continue into 2010. This trend is not just limited to vegetable crops, but also berry crops, brambles, vines, fruiting shrubs and trees.

Edibles currently available:
Vaccinium (blueberries) - Climax, Premier,Becky Blue and Tifblue
Carya (pecan) - Desirable, Gloria Grande, Stuart, and Sumner
Vitis (muscadine grapes) - Carlos and Noble
Ficus (fig) - Brown Turkey
Rubus (blackberry) - Arapaho, Cheyenne, Chickasaw, and Ebony King
Rubus (raspberry) - Caroline, Cumberland and Latham

Blackberry and Raspberry Culture
Blackberries and raspberries are often referred to as brambles, and are members of the genus Rubus. Blackberries and raspberries both produce aggregate fruit, which is a collection of smaller fruit called drupelets around a central receptacle. An easy way to distinguish between blackberries and raspberries (which may be red, purple, or black in color) is that raspberry fruit will separate from the receptacle when ripe, leaving a hollow core in the fruit. When blackberry fruit is ripe, the drupelets remain attached to the receptacle.

Both blackberry and raspberry plants prefer full sun and well drained soil rich in organic matter. Blackberry and raspberries both have a perennial crown from which new canes emerge. Raspberry and some cultivars of blackberry will also produce new canes from underground lateral stems or roots. The canes of blackberry and raspberry are biennial. A first year cane produces vegetative growth and they are referred to as primocanes. It is usually recommended to tip the primocanes when they reach 30-36” to promote lateral branching. These lateral branches will bear fruit the second year. The 2nd year fruiting canes are referred to as floricanes. After fruiting, the floricanes will die. To maintain healthy vigorous plants it is best to remove the floricanes after harvesting.

Blackberries have 3 distinct growth habits: erect, semi-erect and trailing. Blackberry cultivars with erect canes are self-supporting. Cultivars with semi-erect and trailing canes, as well as raspberries are best grown on a trellis or some sort of support.