So, it is getting to that time of year when blackberries are starting to ripen. There is a lot that you can do with blackberries. You could make a delicious jelly, toppings for cakes, fillings for pies, and more.
The question is, when is Blackberry season? It can be hard to know exactly when the blackberries will ripen and thus when you can head out and gather these delicious juicy fruits.
Well, in this article, I am going to give you the answers you need. As such, I am going to go over everything you need to know about when it is Blackberry season.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in and get started!
When Is The Best Time To Go Blackberry Picking?
Blackberry season will differ depending on where in the world or even where in the United States you are.
The plants themselves are very resilient. They can tolerate heat and frost quite well. Because of this, blackberry bushes can grow just about anywhere.
The question is, when do these berries ripen? Well, in the Southern United States, the best time to go blackberry picking is during early spring or early summer.
While in the Pacific Northwest, berry picking season is at its peak in the late summer and through to Autumn. For the majority of the United States, blackberries will start to ripen between July and August.
To make things easy. There are some varieties that will bear one crop of fruit in the summer and another in the fall. These plants are known as ever-bearing blackberry bushes.
How Do You Harvest Blackberries?
Harvesting blackberries is not difficult. But the best way to do so is by hand. Just make sure that your blackberries are ripe. This means that the color must be fully black.
Once you have picked your blackberries, it is essential that you store them quickly and properly. They will last only one day after being picked. So, get them in the refrigerator, cook them, or use them quickly.
When you are picking your blackberries, it is important that you do not pick any that are wet. The reason for this is that wet berries will mean that your berries will be more likely to mold or get squished.
During Blackberry season, you will have a window of about three weeks before the berries will be depleted. During this brief time period, you should pick your berries two to three times a week.
How Do You Store And Preserve Blackberries?
As I have said, blackberries only stay delicious and fresh for a short time. As such, if you have a hefty haul that you can’t finish. You will undoubtedly need a way to store and preserve your blackberries. That is what I am going to go over in this section.
Refrigeration
If you want to use your freshly harvested blackberries in the near future, refrigeration might be a good idea for you.
To properly do this, I recommend putting your blackberries in a shallow container and covering them with plastic wrap or paper towels.
Make sure that there are holes in the top so that the berries are properly ventilated. This should keep your blackberries fresh for a few days.
Freezing
If you do not want to use your Blackberries in the next few days. Freezing blackberries is a fantastic way to keep your berries fresh for a long time.
This is a technique you can use on many different kinds of fruits, and it always works.
All you need to do is clean your berries thoroughly and then allow them to dry before you put them in the freezer.
I recommend placing your berries on a cookie sheet so that there is a single layer and then putting this sheet in the freezer.
Make sure that your blackberries are not crushed or clumped together. This will make it easier when you store your berries down the line.
When your berries have completely frozen through, you can put them into a ziplock bag or small container.
Using this method, you can keep your berries fresh for up to a single year. When you eventually want to make a delicious pie or dessert, all you need to do is thaw your berries. It is super easy!
Canning
The next way to preserve your blackberries is to can them. This is a fun way to preserve your fruit and keep them for later use. Canning is a safe and easy process, but it is more complicated than freezing or refrigeration.
Blackberries have a lot of sugar in them, which is why they are such an easy fruit to can.
That being said, you will still need to follow instructions carefully to ensure that everything is properly done. So, find a good guide online and follow it to the letter.
It is not hard to do! But there is a careful methodology you will need to follow for success.
Final Thoughts
I hope that you have enjoyed reading this article and learning when Blackberry season is. As you will have discovered, when blackberries ripen is entirely dependent on the climate and their location.
In the Southern United States, for example, the best time to harvest blackberries is during the early spring or early summer.
But in other places like the Pacific Northwest, late Summer and Fall are your prime berry-picking windows.
But as a general rule, in the United States, the best time to go blackberry picking is between July and August.
I hope that you have enjoyed reading this article and learning about when the best time of year is to pick blackberries.
If you want to learn more about blackberries or other fruits and veggies, take a moment to check out my site.
I have a range of fun and interesting articles available. You are sure to find something that will pique your interest.
Hello, my name is Valentina and I am the founder or ‘grower’ as I like to call myself of BonitaFruitTrees.com.
Cultivating my own fruit trees is definitely my passion, and has been for such a long time.
That’s what made me want to make this website. I wanted to create a place where I could share my experiences with others, teach more people how to grow fruit trees, and just help them have a little fun with it.
