By Scout Nelson
Gardeners in the Dakotas are always looking for fruits that can handle cold winters and grow well in prairie soils. One fruit stands out above the rest — haskap, also called honeyberry.
The berries taste like a mix of blueberries, raspberries, and cherries. They are sweeter and larger than blueberries, with thin skins that melt in your mouth. Best of all, haskaps survive the coldest winters and need little care.
Unlike blueberries, which struggle in Dakota soil and weather, haskaps thrive. They do not need acidic soil, and they rarely face insect or disease problems. That makes them perfect for backyard gardeners in colder regions.
The main issue with haskaps is that the fruits do not ripen all at once, and they tend to fall when ripe. This makes them hard to grow on large farms. However, for home gardeners, picking by hand as they ripen is easy and fun.
The biggest challenge for growing haskaps is birds. These fruits ripen early, and birds love them. To protect your crop, you need to cover your shrubs with netting a couple of weeks after flowering.
Haskap plants are now easier to find in garden centres and online. Trusted sellers include HoneyberryUSA, One Green World, Haskap Oregon, and Jung. Be sure to plant at least two compatible varieties to help with pollination and get more fruit.
Some of the best haskap varieties come from Japan and are easy to harvest. These include Solo, Maxie, Opus, Kawai, and Keiko.
Photo Credit: creative-commons-khanmn2019
Categories: North Dakota, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables, Education, Weather