Berry Delight

For many gardeners, berries are the epitome of summer. Shiny red or black, they tempt from the bushes and often go straight from the hand to the mouth. If they unexpectedly make it to the kitchen, they can be processed in many ways: into jams, juices, and jellies, sorbets and casseroles, cakes and compotes, smoothies, and dried fruit. And of course, most berries can be excellently frozen, allowing you to bring summer memories back to life during the cold season.

It is the undisputed queen of berries – even though, botanically speaking, it’s not actually a berry but is commonly referred to as one: the strawberry (_Fragaria_). Whether enjoyed fresh, sugared, with whipped cream, or on a heavenly light sponge base, it tastes best when freshly picked from your own garden. You can start harvesting as early as May if you planted them in late summer of the previous year. Early varieties like 'Elvira,' 'Honeoye,' and 'Thulana' lead the way. The classic strawberry 'Senga Sengana,' along with 'Korona' and 'Elsanta,' are mid-season varieties that follow in late May. Medium-late varieties like 'Sonata' and 'Polka' ripen in early to mid-June. Late varieties like 'Florence' and 'Yamaska' can be harvested as late as August, weather permitting. As you can see, with strategic planting, you can harvest throughout the entire summer! For maximum flavor, try the everbearing strawberries 'Alexandria,' 'Florika,' or 'Spadeka'; these varieties have wild strawberries crossed into them, resulting in smaller but highly aromatic fruits. Tip: On a mulch bed made of clean straw or wood wool, plants and fruits stay healthy and mold-free. The straw layer also keeps hungry snails away from the sweet berries. Mulch as soon as the first fruit set is visible after blooming.

Did you know that raspberries (_Rubus idaeus_) have been cultivated in Europe for over 1,500 years? There are summer-bearing and fall-bearing varieties. The summer-bearing varieties (such as 'Schönemann' and 'Malling Promise') produce fruit in the second year, while the fall-bearing varieties (such as 'Autumn Bliss' and 'Aroma Queen') form their canes in the spring and bear fruit just a few months later, continuing through October. The harvest of fall-bearing varieties is typically smaller than that of summer-bearing ones. Blackberries (_Rubus fruticosus_) have a similar growth habit to raspberries, but their canes grow longer and should be tied up. The fruits appear on the 2-year-old canes, which are pruned after harvest. There are both thorny and thornless varieties, with 'Navaho' and 'Loch Ness' being especially recommended. Harvesting, depending on the variety, occurs from June to October. Raspberries and blackberries thrive as woodland plants in light shade.

Currants (_Ribes_) come in three colors – choose according to your personal preference: White (or slightly pinkish) currants are mild, red ones are predominantly sour, and black ones are mainly tart. Again, it's all about the mix. Classic varieties include the red 'Jonkher van Tets' and the slightly sweeter 'Rovada'; for those who want to snack on black currants straight from the bush, the self-fertile 'Kieroyal' is a great option, with a flavor reminiscent of grapes rather than currants. A favorite among white currants is the sweet-sour 'Weiße Versailler'.

If you'd like to grow all three colors on one shrub, try the currant trio of red 'Jonkher van Tets', black 'Ben Sarek', and white currants!

The Jostaberry (_Ribes x nidigrolaria_) is a hybrid between black currants and gooseberries. The deep black berries ripen in July, are high in vitamin C, and have an aromatic, tart-sweet taste. They are used to make jam and juice but can also be enjoyed raw. The cranberry (_Vaccinium macrocarpon_), also known as the moss berry, grows as a ground cover and loves the sun. Dried, it offers a healthy snacking alternative throughout the winter with its high vitamin C content. Blueberries (_Vaccinium corymbosum_) need a sunny spot and acidic soil but have low nutrient requirements. The firm, sweet-tart fruits ripen from late June to September; in addition to many vitamins, they contain minerals such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

It is hailed as a true wonder plant. Packed with carotene, vitamin C, and antioxidants, the goji berry combats fatigue and memory loss, keeping us fit, healthy, and young. It originates from Asia, and particularly in Tibet, it is a staple in the diet. The great thing about the goji berry (_Lycium barbarum_) is that it is incredibly hardy and undemanding, thriving in both sun and shade. From August to October, the bright orange berries ripen on the shrub, which can grow up to 4 meters tall, and their fruity-sweet flavor is reminiscent of cherries. Harvesting is done by spreading a cloth under the shrub and shaking the plants; after that, the berries can be easily picked. They can be enjoyed raw, dried to enhance cereals and salads, or steeped in hot water to make a fruity tea.

Most berries thrive in loose, humus-rich soil and prefer a sunny to slightly shady location. Under a mulch layer of dried grass clippings or compost, the soil remains nicely moist, and weeds have less chance of taking over. Fertilize early in the spring before blooming with a special berry fertilizer from the garden center. In the fall, you can incorporate compost and manure into the well-loosened garden soil.
However, blueberries, cranberries, and lingonberries require acidic soil. For these, dig a larger planting hole and add peat soil. Container culture in acidic specialized substrate is also ideal for them. When planting berry shrubs, ensure that the bottom 8 to 10 centimeters of the stems are below the soil surface; this way, new roots will form, ensuring optimal plant nourishment.