Description
The youngberry is one of the blackberry varieties and bears the typical purple-black berry. This fruit is tasty and nutritious. It is rich in vitamins A, B1 and C, as well as in calcium and pectin.
It effectively improves eyesight, supports efficient digestion, strengthens immune systems, and builds strong bones and teeth.
Youngberries are fantastic in desserts like cheesecakes, tarts and pavlovas. They are also delicious when added to smoothies, cocktails and fruit salads. They’ve even been used to make fragrant wine.
Harvesting
Fruit will begin to form in the early summer and you can pluck them when they are easy to pull off the vine.
Position
Plant your youngberry in full sun for good flower and fruit production. They are creepers, requiring a trellis or fence to grow up.
Soil
Youngberry plants like slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.5 and 6. Ensure the site has good drainage, and mulch it well with pine bark and green pine needles.
Dig a 50cm x 50cm deep hole and add a bag of compost or acid compost. Mix our Berry Mix and Volcanic Rock Dust into the top section of the soil. Make a little hole and plant, ensuring you to the same the level as in the bag. Place the plant directly into the soil mixture and cover it with pine bark, , keeping it away from the plant’s stem mulch.
Mulch
Apply from 2 to 5 centimetres of pine bark mulch to protect the roots from UV damage and drying out. It retains moisture, and maintains an optimal pH. Do not let the mulch touch the plant stem, as it may cause infection or rot.
Watering
Youngberries do not like waterlogged soil. Once it’s been transplanted, water the plant daily in hot, dry weather. Otherwise, please give it a good 30-minute soaking every 3rd day. In winter, water it once a week (never letting it dry out completely).
FertilisingApply our slow-release Berry/All-plant Fertiliser. For young trees, apply 1 teaspoon every 4-5 months. The roots will absorb what they need.
Pruning
Youngberry canes proliferate and reach up to 5 metres long during their first year after transplanting. After fruiting cut those canes back completely to encourage new growth in the spring. As new shoots will grow around the plant, dig them out to prevent the plant from taking over your garden.
Pest and Disease Management
Preferably use preventative measures by spraying with agricultural Neem Oil or Effective Microorganisms (EM Control)
EM Control puts you firmly on the green path when using it in your garden. EM is certified organic, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly. Because EM boosts the soil, your garden will flourish without the use of any chemicals. The soil’s vitality equals the vitality of the plants and fruits they produce. EM is a biocontrol measure, controlling pests by releasing microorganisms into the soil. With EM, pests and pathogens are controlled or suppressed by means of natural processes.
Agricultural Neem Oil is a powerful oil that is kind to your garden, fighting against even the most challenging infestations. Our Neem oil is an agricultural grade and is highly effective in controlling roughly 600 different types of insects! Targeted at insects that suck and chew leaves, it doesn’t extend its damage to the rest of the plant or its surrounds. It is Biodegradable, cold pressed and 100% organic.
