It's summer berry season at Two Lights! Read on to learn more about some of our absolute favorite fruits to grow, and not just because of their flavor and nutritional profile! Unlike most fruits, these crops are quick maturing, which means that you don't have to wait years after planting to reap the sweet rewards. This last point is HUGE for those who are getting a homestead started for the first time, or simply want to add more sustainability and variety to their existing food production.
Garden Huckleberry (Solanum melanocerasum). Unrelated to the native North American huckleberry, this quick maturing annual in the tomato family produces loads of antioxidant rich berries the same year it is planted from seed. Simply save back some seeds each year and you will provide yourself with a continuous supply of homegrown fruit with no additional investment. You can't beat that! When raw, their flavor is a bit tart and relatively bland, quite similar to tomatillo or green tomato, but cooked with a little added sweetness, the flavor transforms into something truly delightful! Perfect for jams, desserts, and our absolute favorite, huckleberry wine. You can find the heirloom seeds to grow your own here: https://www.rareseeds.com/huckleberry-garden
*Important Note on Harvesting this Fruit: Garden Huckleberries should ONLY be eaten when fully ripe, dark purple throughout with no green inside or out. When harvesting at the right stage, the berries will be completely black, slightly soft, and pull easily from the plant. Under-ripe berries will be unpleasant and bitter to taste. Some sources even report mild toxicity. (On a related note, did you know that green tomatoes naturally contain toxic compounds that diminish as the fruit ripens?) So play it safe and only consume ripe fruit!
2. Elderberry (Sambucus). Well known for its nutritional content and reported immune boosting effects, Elderberry is super easy to grow, attracts beneficial pollinators, and a healthy plant at full maturity will produce enormous amounts of fruit. As an added bonus, you can cultivate new seedlings by taking cuttings from an established mother plant. Use elderberries to make delectable syrup, juice, and jams. Elderflower smells divine and is used to make products like infused honey and herbal tea.
*Important Note on Harvesting: Elderberries should not be consumed raw due to the naturally occurring presence of cyanogenic properties in the plant. Proper cooking and preparation should be followed when processing elderberries. The remaining parts of the plant, including the the wood, stems, and foliage should not be consumed.
All in all, these berries are a simple and economical way to add flavor, variety, and sustainability to your garden or homestead growing space. We hope this information has been helpful to you. The more you know, the more you grow!
Happy Harvesting Friends!
Comments