Grow your own berry garden

Plant these low-maintenance, flavorful gems now to enjoy in as little as 3 weeks!

Dress up summer salads

with fresh strawberries

“Homegrown fresh strawberries are so delicious and easy to grow in pots,” says Christy Wilhelmi, author of

Grow Your Own Mini Fruit Garden. The key? Feeding plants with a steady supply of organic nutrients as they mature so they reap a good harvest, she notes. To start, pick up an established potted strawberry plant of an everbearing variety (like Tristan or Alpine) from the nursery, which will bear fruit in as little as three to four weeks— and throughout the summer. To do: Add the plant to a pot filled with well-draining soil mixed with organic fruit and berry fertilizer. Give full sun and water regularly. Once a week, add organic plant nutrition to water (according to package directions) and pour over the soil.

Delicious idea: Toss sliced strawberries in a spinach salad and blend 1 cup of strawberries with 2 Tbs. each of olive oil and balsamic vinegar for a sweet, tangy dressing.

Brighten brunch

with juicy blueberries

“Blueberries are so precious when picked from your own garden,” notes Wilhelmi. Plus, the tiny gems are packed with healing antioxidants and vitamins C and K. To plant them, simply loosen the root ball of a 2- to 3-year-old, 1-gallon blueberry plant from the nursery and nestle into a pot filled with acidic soil. Give full sun and keep soil moist, and berries will be ready to eat by July. Delicious ideas: Stir 1 cup of berries into the batter of your favorite banana bread recipe for a tasty, berry-kissed twist, or add 1⁄ cup each of milk and rolled oats to a jar,

2 chill overnight, then top with blueberries.

Sweeten snack time

with ripe raspberries

“Raspberries are full of beneficial antioxidants and fiber, and they’re a great addition to a smoothie or yogurt,” says Wilhelmi. She suggests buying a plant that’s bred specifically for containers (like Raspberry Shortcake). “It will stay compact and doesn’t require trellising like other varieties,” she notes. Plant seedling in a pot filled with acidic soil, give full sun and water regularly, being careful not to overwater. Add organic fruit and berry fertilizer to soil one month after planting and harvest in seven to eight weeks.

Delicious ideas: Blend 1 cup of raspberries, 1⁄ cup of

2 plain Greek yogurt, 1 Tbs. of mint leaves and 3 ice cubes until smooth for a cool and refreshing smoothie, or pour the mixture into Popsicle molds, insert Popsicle sticks and freeze for cool and creamy frozen yogurt pops.