As well as tasting delicious, strawberries are reasonably simple to grow. One of the best things about them is how adaptable they are and also the lack of space that they require. Strawberries will actually grow in almost any soil type from light sand to heavy clay, though ideally they prefer moist and well drained soil. Just like most Floridians, strawberries love as much sun as possible, but they do need protection from the wind. Although easier to grow from a small plant it is possible to grow strawberries from seeds, though this obviously takes much longer and requires more effort. The roots are neither long nor wide so there is no need for deep soil when growing strawberries. This means that you can grow strawberries in anything from garden beds to window boxes and even hanging baskets. The hanging basket actually gives you protection from slugs and other bugs, but you may need netting to keep the birds away!
Raspberries
Raspberries are also relatively easy to grow, and if you mix the varieties in the correct way you can grow them from June all the way through to Autumn. Unlike strawberries however, raspberries need a lot of space in which to grow so aren't ideal for small fruit gardens. They grow best in deep soil which has good drainage. The pH of the soil should be between 5.6 and 6.2 and you can measure this yourself with a simple home soil tester kit. Raspberries need a lot of sun, but also need to be protected from the wind so you need to be careful where you position it.
Pineapples
Growing a pineapple is much simpler and more accessible than many people would imagine - though you do need a lot of space as the plants grow up to five feet in diameter and have spiny leave. The first step to growing your own is to buy one from your supermarket or wherever you can. Cut off the leafy top leaving about two inches of the fruit underneath. To plant you can just put the piece directly into the ground if you are lucky enough to live somewhere warm (or pot if you are using one, but remember they need space).
Place the pineapple in the hole, and cover with dirt, leaving the pineapple leaves exposed above ground. Once its covered by dirt water it, you don't need to repeat the watering too often if the plant is outdoors, but more frequently if you are attempting to grow indoors. The one thing to note with growing pineapples is that you need patience. You should notice growth after a year, but it could be two to three years before you start to see fruit.
Blueberries
The benefits of eating blueberries are well documented, and now you can grow your own supply of this "super food". Blueberries need a sunny location and the soil needs to be well drained with no weeds. You can plant straight into the ground provided that you dig over an area around two feet in diameter and about a foot deep. To really help the fruits grow, you can add an acidifier to the soil. Blueberries need a lot of space to grow and should be spaced eight to ten feet apart if growing in rows. Although they need to be left to grow for the first year, they will need regular pruning after this.
