Several blackberry species are native to Florida. Native Americans fed on this fruit long before settlers arrived in this country. Wild blackberries are still harvested in Florida, however they have limitations including comparatively small berries, lack of uniformity, low yield and late maturation.

In 2005, the University of Arkansas’ breeding program released Ouachita’, an erect growing thornless cultivar. This plant produces consistently high yields of plump, pluckable medium size fruit, which are easy to harvest on their thornless upright canes. These blackberries rate very good in both flavor and sweetness and are hardy, disease resistant, and reliable. Harvest can begin as early as mid to late May in central Florida and can continue thru July.

Although the handling and storage potential of the fruit from these new cultivars is very good, so far they are primarily limited to homeowner production. Most of the blackberries you see in the stores are shipped in from northern states or from Arkansas. So if you want truly fresh blackberries in your diet, why not grow them yourself. The Ouachita (wash-uh-taw) Blackberry is certainly a great choice for our Central Florida area.

A few years ago blueberries were only grown in states with colder temperatures than ours. Within the last few years scientists at the University of Florida have developed a series of blueberry hybrid plants that thrive in Florida’s USDA 8 through 11 heat zones. Grown specifically for areas with less than 400 chill hours (between 32 and 45 degrees), the Southern Highbush cultivar grows well in Central Florida. With proper site selection and preparation, this blueberry hybrid will grow quite well and produce many baskets of sweet delicious berries for baking, making jellies and jams, and eating right off the bush.

These tiny little gems pack a potent punch. They rank the highest of any fruit for antioxidants (those free-radical-fighting powerhouses), and one cup delivers 14% of the recommended daily dose of fiber and nearly a quarter of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C. Blueberries are also low in calories — fewer than 100 for a full cup. These plants, besides producing fruit, are a very attractive addition to your landscape.

The plants should be in a sunny area and should have 4-5 feet between plantings. Fertilize and water regularly and you should have a bumper crop.

Let us add some flavor to your landscape or garden. We will even furnish some good tips for making sure you have a bumper crop.

Do you enjoy a variety of fresh citrus fruit but don’t have the room for your own personal grove?

Problem solved!

5 citrus fruits on one tree! (Types subject to change. Availability seasonal. Please call for more information.
Get your choice of several different types from one tree. With what they are calling the FRUIT COCKTAIL TREE, a specially grafted citrus tree, you can have almost a year around supply of different citrus. Most trees are grafted with 5 varieties.

Fruit Cocktail Citrus Tree

Contact JLC Outdoors about getting your own FRUIT COCKTAIL TREE.