Berries You Can Grow in Houston Gardens

Few things beat walking out to your garden and picking fresh berries for breakfast. The good news is that several berry varieties perform beautifully in the Houston area — if you choose the right ones.

Blueberries are the trickiest berry for our area because they require acidic soil — and Houston's clay soil is naturally alkaline. The solution is to plant in raised beds or large containers with an acidified mix, and choose Southern Highbush varieties like Sunshine Blue, Misty, or O'Neal that are bred for our low-chill climate.

Blackberries are one of the easiest fruits you can grow in Houston. Varieties like Brazos and Kiowa were actually developed in Texas and are extremely productive in our heat and soil. They spread aggressively so give them room or contain them.

Strawberries are grown as a cool-season annual in Houston — plant in fall, harvest in spring, and pull them when summer heat arrives.

Houston berry tip: For blueberries, plant at least two different varieties for cross-pollination and much better fruit production. They love acidic soil!