The only native barberry species, Berberis vulgaris, is not only useful as a magnificent privacy hedge. The pretty yellow spring blossoms on sour thorn bushes turn into tasty berries, which Pastor Kneipp praised highly. Don't miss out on these delicious natural treasures. This guide explains when and how to harvest barberries correctly.
When and how should you harvest barberries?
Barberries can be harvested from the end of August until winter. Ripe berries are dark red in color and have a sour taste. When harvesting, wear protective clothing, gloves and safety glasses to avoid injury from the sharp thorns.
He althy and tasty - that's why harvesting barberries is worth it
The sight of their long, sharp thorns makes gardeners doubt whether harvesting barberry berries is even worth it. The following beneficial properties characterize sourthorn fruits:
- Sour, invigorating taste
- Rich in vitamins with 25 mg of vitamin C per 100 g
- Low in fat (1.0 g per 100 g) and high in satiating fiber (7.5 g per 100 g)
Furthermore, sourthorn berries strengthen the immune system because they are rich in natural red dyes. Naturopaths have sworn by its healing effects for colds, liver and gallbladder problems for generations.
Harvest time is in autumn - this is how you can recognize ripe barberries
The window for harvesting barberries opens at the end of August. The harvest season extends into winter because the berries are considered to be so-called winter storers. You can recognize ripe berries by their dark red color and sour taste. If the freshly picked treat makes your palate contract, you can use the juicy fruits to make jam, syrup, compote or fruit tea. Dried barberries spice up any breakfast muesli.
Harvest sour thorn professionally – this is how it works
Before the harvest begins, you need to protect your skin and eyes from the sharp thorns. Please put on impenetrable clothing, sturdy gloves (€17.00 on Amazon) with long cuffs and safety glasses. So that you don't have to constantly push yourself back and forth through the dense undergrowth, ideally hang a basket or bag around your neck for harvesting.
Clever home gardeners use the thorn-proof full equipment to cut a barberry bush into shape immediately after harvesting.
Tip
Apart from the berries, barberry species are all poisonous. Shoots, leaves, thorns and especially the roots are permeated with harmful alkaloids. Growing sourthorn and other Berberis species in the family garden is therefore not recommended.
