Boysenberries: Your Ultimate Guide to Harvesting and Enjoying this Summertime Delight

Congratulations on growing your own delicious boysenberry bush! As the first reddish-purple berries start to ripen, you may find yourself wondering when and how to harvest these tasty treats. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with all the information you need in this comprehensive guide.

Boysenberries, a rare hybrid of blackberries, raspberries, loganberries, and dewberries, produce fruit on floricanes – the second-year growth. They typically flower in the spring and set fruit that ripens between mid-May and mid-July, depending on your growing zone. Fruit will ripen earlier in hotter zones with more sunshine and later in colder regions.

When to Harvest Boysenberries

Boysenberries do not all ripen at once. Even on the same lateral cane, you may find berries in various stages of maturation – from greenish to dark purple.
For fresh snacking or a delicious boysenberry pie, look for the darkest, wine-colored fruits to pick.
If you’re making jam, you can pick slightly less ripe berries with a reddish-purple color for a tart flavor.
The best time to pick boysenberries is in the fresh morning before the sun gets too hot and makes them soft.
Check the vines every couple of days to ensure you don’t miss any ripe berries.

How to Harvest

If you trained your vines on a trellis, picking berries will be easier compared to untamed plants.
Use gardening gloves and a long-sleeved shirt to protect yourself from thorns if you didn’t train your boysenberries.
Have a colander or plastic container ready to collect the berries without damaging them.
Boysenberries are juicy and thin-skinned, so handle them gently to prevent spoilage.
To pick, grasp the berry with your fingers and gently pull straight down. Do not rinse berries unless you plan to eat them immediately.

Recipes and Cooking Ideas

Boysenberries are versatile and can be used in a variety of recipes. You can substitute them for blackberries or raspberries in almost any dish. Try a fresh summer salad with berries, spinach, and walnuts or a delicious berry compote for dessert or oatmeal.

Storing Boysenberries

Lay them out on a wax paper-lined baking sheet to freeze. Once frozen, transfer them to a lidded container or zip-top baggie for up to six months.
You can also find more tips on storing fresh berries at Foodal.

Conclusion

Harvesting boysenberries can be a rewarding experience that offers fresh, nutritious goodness for your recipes. Enjoy the process and look forward to the delicious fruits of your labor throughout the year. Don’t forget to share your harvesting and recipe experiences in the comments below!

For additional information on growing berries, check out our guides on ground cherries, raspberries, and elderberries.

Remember, the joy of growing and harvesting your own boysenberries is a special experience that you can savor year after year.

Enjoy the bountiful harvest of boysenberries!