Preserve the Harvest Series: Let's Talk Blackberries

by Shari@puregrace

Preserve the Harvest Series presents a new fruit or vegetable every Tuesday with the goal of helping you get the most out of fresh fruits and vegetables harvested during peak season. Next up-blackberries and canning homemade blackberry syrup.

gardening harvest blackberries preserving, gardening, homesteading

Let's talk blackberries:

Blackberries are bramble fruits and grow on thorny canes or what some may call sticker bushes. Thornless blackberry bushes are available, but the thornless variety can still have small thorns that cause damage. It’s a good idea to wear gloves for protection when working with the canes.

While blackberries are easy to grow, it is important to keep a good eye on the developing canes. If left to themselves they can quickly take over an area. Blackberries like lots of sun, soil with good drainage, and plenty of water, especially when fruiting. Treat your plants well and they will give you many years of productive growing seasons.

Harvesting, care and storage of blackberries:

Berries ripen over a period of several weeks and once they begin to ripen will need to be picked every 2-4 days. Bird netting can be purchased to cover your berries if you are having an issue with birds eating your crop and don’t want to share. Pick berries early in the morning in the cool of the day. Refrigerate immediately and rinse berries only right before using. Refrigerated berries will keep for up to 5 days.

Blackberries may be frozen with great results. To freeze, rinse berries lightly and place on paper towel to soak up extra moisture. Arrange blackberries on a baking sheet in single layer and place in the freezer until frozen solid. Once frozen, remove berries and place in heavy duty freezer bag or use vacuum sealer. Frozen berries can be stored up to a year. How to can blackberry syrup recipe can be found at Pure Grace Farms.

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2 comments

Jeanette S on Jul 30, 2014
I love blackberries! I love blackberry jam...yes, I want seeds in mine! I remember berry picking with my grandmother and hated every minute of it! HA! Loved Grandma, but that berry picking was not for me. It was hot, I got scratches everywhere, and I just knew a snake was waiting for me ready to coil around me and gobble me up! I have the greatest admiration for people that pick and can/freeze blackberries!

1 Reply
- Shari@puregrace on Jul 30, 2014
  @Jeanette S Love your memories. Fortunately my berries are in my own backyard! The only thing I have to worry about is the pesky birds and raccoons. Thanks for taking a moment to share. It made my day :)
  
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