Get The Most Out of Your Blackberries from Backyard Eats
Harvesting Blackberries
When It’s Ready
- Observe the fruit’s color and texture: Ripe blackberries will have vibrant colors and a slightly soft texture.
- Gently tug the fruit: If it easily comes off the stem without resistance, it is ready for picking.
- Harvest in the early morning: The cool temperatures help preserve the fruit’s freshness and flavor.
- Summer to early fall, with peak harvest from July to August
When It’s Too Late
- Overripe fruit may become mushy, discolored, or start to decay.
- Regularly check your plants to ensure you don’t miss the optimal harvest time.
How To
- Wear gloves to protect your hands from thorns.
- Grasp the ripe fruit gently and twist it to detach it from the stem.
- Place the harvested fruit carefully in a shallow container to avoid crushing them.
- Avoid leaving harvested fruit out in direct sunlight for extended periods.
About Blackberries
Blackberries are cane plants that grow up to 5-10 ft tall. They require partial to full sun, the support of a trellis, and pruning to thrive. Netting may help protect the fruit from birds and squirrels.
Flowering/Fruiting Tendencies
Blackberry canes grow from a specific crown. Blackberries can spread because the canes get so tall they flop over, then root from where they contact the ground. This is called “walking.” Blackberries canes grow new in spring and fruit in their second and third years before dying off.
Design Notes
Blackberry canes need to be removed from spreading outside their planting bed. Blackberries can look unwieldy, especially in winter. They need a wire trellis to keep them upright for ease of maintenance, harvesting and pruning.
Care Notes
Blackberries benefit from compost and wood chip mulch in spring to promote growth. Remove any dead or dying canes, usually 3rd year canes, in spring. Canes can also be thinned in spring; include 8 canes per crown for optimal production. In the fall, canes can be pruned to promote side branching (where fruit occurs) and to make canes a manageable height for harvest and staying on the trellis. The best practice for pruning is to reach up and snip as far as you can reach.
Newly planted perennials require some additional care to help establish and support the plants as they grow. Water newly planted perennials deeply at the root 2-3 times a week during the first growing season. Apply compost and wood chip mulch in the late winter/early spring.
Storing Blackberries
Fresh Storage: Place berries in a breathable container lined with paper towels in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Long-Term Storage: Freeze the fruit in a single layer on a baking sheet. Transfer it to a freezer-safe container for up to six months.
Cooking With Blackberries
- Blackberry Jam: Simmer cane fruit with sugar and a splash of lemon juice until it thickens into a luscious jam. Use it as a spread on toast, pancakes, or in desserts like thumbprint cookies.
- Blackberry Smoothie: Blend cane fruit with yogurt, a banana, and a splash of milk for a refreshing and nutritious smoothie. Add honey or maple syrup for extra sweetness if desired.
- Blackberry Crumble: Mix cane fruit with sugar and a squeeze of lemon juice, then top with a crumble mixture made from oats, flour, butter, and sugar. Bake until the fruit is bubbling and the crumble is golden and crisp. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Blackberry Salad: Combine cane fruit with other fresh fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and sliced peaches. Toss with a squeeze of lemon juice and a drizzle of honey for a vibrant and flavorful fruit salad.
- Blackberry Cobbler: Layer cane fruit in a baking dish and top with a sweet biscuit dough. Bake until the fruit is bubbling and the biscuit topping is golden and cooked through. Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream.
