If you love raspberries, blackberries, and loganberries, then try growing a boysenberry, a combination of all three. How do you grow boysenberries? Read on to find out about growing a boysenberry, its care, and other boysenberry plant info.
What is a Boysenberry?
What’s a boysenberry? As mentioned, it’s an amazing, hybrid berry comprised of a mix of raspberries, blackberries, and loganberries, which in themselves are a mix of raspberries and blackberries. A vining perennial in USDA zones 5-9, boysenberries are eaten fresh or made into juice or preserves. Boysenberries look much akin to an elongated blackberry and, like blackberries, have a dark purple color and a sweet flavor with a hint of tartness.
Boysenberry Plant Info
Boysenberries (Rubus ursinus × R. idaeus) are named after their creator, Rudolph Boysen. Boysen created the hybrid, but it was Walter Knott of Knott’s Berry Farm’s amusement park fame, who launched the berry to popularity after his wife began making the fruit into preserves in 1932. By 1940, there were 599 acres (242 ha.) of California land dedicated to cultivating boysenberries. Cultivation trailed off during WWII, but peaked again in the 1950’s. By the 1960’s, boysenberries fell out of favor due to their susceptibility to fungal diseases, difficulty in shipping from their delicate nature, and general high maintenance. Today, most fresh boysenberries can be found at small local farmers' markets or in the form of preserves from berries grown primarily in Oregon. New Zealand is the largest producer and exporter of the berry. Boysenberries are high in vitamin C, folate, and manganese and contain quite a bit of fiber.
How to Grow Boysenberries
When growing a boysenberry plant, select a site in full sun with well-draining, sandy loam soil that has a pH of 5.8-6.5. Don’t select a site where tomatoes, eggplants, or potatoes have been grown, however, as they may have left behind the soil-borne verticillium wilt. Plant boysenberry plants 4 weeks before your area’s last frost date. Dig a hole 1-2 feet (30.5-61 cm.) deep and 3-4 feet (about 1 m.) wide. For row planted plants, dig holes 8-10 feet (2.5-3 m.) apart. Place the boysenberry in the hole with the crown of the plant 2 inches (5 cm.) below the soil line, spreading the roots out in the hole. Fill the hole back in and pack the soil firmly around the roots. Water the plants in well.
Boysenberry Care
As the plant matures, it will need support. A three-wire trellis or the like will do nicely. For a three-wire support, space the wire 2 feet (61 cm.) apart. Keep the plants evenly moist, but not wet; water at the base of the plant rather than overhead to avoid leaf disease and fruit rot. Feed boysenberries with a 20-20-20 application of fertilizer in the early spring as new growth appears. Fish meal and blood meal are also excellent nutrient sources.
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Winterizing Boysenberry Plants – How To Treat Boysenberries In WinterBoysenberries are a cross between common blackberry, European raspberry, and loganberry. Although they are robust plants that thrive in cold weather, boysenberries require a little winter protection in chilly climates. Learn more in this article.
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Boysenberry Disease Info: Learn How To Treat A Sick Boysenberry PlantBoysenberries are delightful to grow, giving you a harvest of juicy, sweet berries in the late summer. This cross between raspberry and blackberry varieties is not as common as it once was, but it should be. Watch out for common diseases though, as explained in this article.
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Potted Boysenberry Plants – Growing Boysenberries In A ContainerBoysenberries are a popular fruit, a hybrid among several other varieties of cane berry. Most commonly grown in gardens in the warm, moist regions of the U.S. Pacific Northwest, they can also be grown successfully in containers. Learn more here.
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Cutting Back Boysenberries: Tips For Effective Boysenberry PruningIf you want to grow boysenberries, you'll need to undertake regular boysenberry pruning. For tips on cutting back boysenberries, this article will help. Click here for more information on how and when to prune boysenberry plants.
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Boysenberry Problems: Learn About Common Boysenberry Pests And DiseasesBoysenberry plants are so susceptible to a number of fungal conditions that many gardeners have become reluctant to even try growing them. In this article, we will take a closer look at common boysenberry pests and diseases.
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Boysenberry Pests: Learn About Bugs That Eat BoysenberriesAlthough they are fairly low maintenance, boysenberry pests can still be a problem. What pests of boysenberry should you watch out for? Well, it should come as no surprise that bugs that eat boysenberries are also inclined to nibble on raspberries. Learn more about them here.
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How To Harvest Boysenberries – Picking Boysenberries The Right WayFor ultimate flavor, boysenberry harvest occurs when the berries are mature and at their peak. It's important for growers to know exactly how and when to pick boysenberries to capture their distinctive taste and aroma. This article can help with that.
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Boysenberry Benefits And Uses – Why Should You Eat BoysenberriesWe've been hearing a lot about the health benefits of berries. What are some benefits of eating boysenberries? Use the information in this article to find out why you should eat boysenberries and how to use boysenberries. Click here to learn more.
