Many people nowadays shy away from enjoying berries picked fresh in the forest or picking them for further processing due to the fox tapeworm and possible contamination. In an appropriately delimited garden, various varieties of different wild berries can be grown and harvested without any concerns.
Which wild berries can I plant in my garden and when?
Species such as blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, elderberries and sloes are suitable for planting wild berries in your own garden. Most of these berries grow well in partially shaded locations with moist, humus-rich soil and can be planted in autumn or spring.
Which wild berries can you plant in your own garden?
There are a whole range of plant varieties that, due to their occurrence in nature and their location preferences, can probably be classified under the term wild berries without any systematic plant relationship:
- Blackberries
- Blackthorn
- Cranberries
- Blueberries
- Elderberries
This list could certainly be extended, but the varieties mentioned above are some of the most important wild berries that are actually valued and planted for their berries. When it comes to blackberries and blueberries, the commercially available cultivated varieties are usually used due to the amount of yield to be harvested, but their wild forms can also be planted in a garden. However, especially when it comes to wild blackberries, you should be aware of the fact that you can hardly ever get rid of these plants in a suitable location in partial shade.
Which locations are suitable for wild berries?
As the term wild berries suggests, most of the typical wild berry varieties thrive best in a location in partial shade. Elderberries and cultivated blueberries also appreciate full sun locations.
What should you consider when planting or transplanting wild berries?
Basically, some of these plants are sensitive to drying out. Therefore, the roots of the plants should never be taken out of the soil for longer than absolutely necessary when planting or transplanting. In addition, cooler rainy periods are more suitable as times for planting than summer dry periods.
How can wild berries be propagated?
Some wild berries such as the low-growing wild blueberry or wild blackberry multiply by themselves in a suitable location over the years without any intervention. Other varieties such as elderberry or blackthorn can be propagated relatively easily by sowing.
What is the best time to plant wild berries?
Wild berries can be easily transplanted in autumn, but if necessary the plants can also be planted in the garden in spring.
At what time of year can the fruits of wild berries be harvested?
Since wild berries consist of a relatively wide range of different plant varieties, no general time can be given for harvesting. However, the fruits of the wild forms of the blueberries native to Central Europe, for example, usually ripen between the end of June and the end of August. The exact time depends not only on the weather during the year, but also on the specific location and altitude.
What should the soil be like for wild berries?
Most wild berries love a rather moist, humus-rich soil with a certain depth. Sandy or poor soils can be enriched with a little seasoned compost before planting wild berries in the garden.
Tip
When it comes to elderberry, not only the fully ripe berries can be harvested and processed. The flowers can also be used to make a drink syrup with sugar and water for a variety of refreshing summer drinks.
