As a wild fruit, sea buckthorn is one of the fruits with the highest vitamin C content. Its berries are also tasty and suitable for many preparations. But be careful: the prerequisite is that the berries are harvested at the right time!
When is the harvest time for sea buckthorn?
The harvest time for sea buckthorn berries varies depending on the variety and is between August and October. Examples of harvest times for different varieties include Frugana (early August to early September), Hergo (late August to mid-September), Askola (late August to September) and Leikora (mid-September to early October).
Male + female=fruits
Only the female varieties of sea buckthorn bear fruit. But only if there is a male sea buckthorn nearby. So don't trust your luck, plant both a male and a female plant.
Various factors determine the harvest time
Depending on various factors such as location, climate, weather conditions and size of the fruit, the sea buckthorn berries ripen at different times. Therefore the harvest time varies from variety to variety.
The different varieties with their individual maturity and harvest time
The sea buckthorn berries usually ripen between the end of August and September. However, in order not to miss the perfect ripening time, you should harvest the berries depending on the respective variety.
The Frugana variety ripens early compared to other varieties. The Leikora variety, on the other hand, ripens much later. The different harvest times for the sea buckthorn varieties are summarized here:
- Leikora: mid-September to early October
- Askola: end of August to September
- Hergo: end of August to mid-September
- Frugana: early August to early September
Wait yes, but not too long
Although the sea buckthorn berries ripen between August and September, they can be harvested until December without much loss of taste. But: It is advisable not to wait too long before harvesting. Birds and small mammals like the berries as a source of food in the cooler season
Tips & Tricks
Immediately after the harvest, the sea buckthorn berries are ready to eat. Since they quickly lose quality, they should be consumed or processed as quickly as possible.
