Discover Uncommon Berries: Saskatoon, Honeyberry, Gooseberry and Currant

The fruits less taken are relatively easy to grow, taste fresh as well as in jams and tarts.

By Holly Stockley
Published on August 23, 2021
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by Adobestock/Aloksa

Summer means berry season, and U-pick farms abound offering strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. But there are some new kids on the block offering new flavors and extending the season by ripening before even strawberries. And there are also some old-fashioned berries that are worth rediscovering.

Saskatoon

The first is the Saskatoon, or June berry. Native to the Northern Great Plains — Saskatchewan, and Alberta are particularly blessed with wild stands — Saskatoons are very cold-hardy. They are botanically related to apples, look like blueberries and taste, well, like themselves. Different varieties range from tart to sweet, often with a bit of an almond undertone. They’re tasty fresh as well as delicious in jams and tarts. Saskatoon Berry Pie is a Canadian regional specialty.

Saskatoons grow as a bush, and they’re pretty tolerant of conditions. They don’t like clay soil or wet sites, but other than that will perform well on most sites. It’s best to plant them in the spring and lightly mulch — don’t pile it on, especially if your soil tends to be cold and wet in the spring. Pruning is important and is very similar to pruning blueberries, with the goal being to make sure wood over three to four years old is removed and good airflow is maintained.

wild bush of saskatoon berries

Honeyberry

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