jostaberry worth growing

The berries are sweet and luscious when ripe, tasting like sweet gooseberries with a slight flavor of black currant. Jodeli® tastes best of all the new jostaberry varieties; it has the most sugar and impresses with its extraordinary fertility. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Marathon Woman: An Interview with Jo Thompson, Chelsea Flower Show: The 2012 Thompson Design, The Socially Acceptable Kitchen Garden: Fruit & Veg Snobbery, Fusion Gardening: The ornamental edible garden. I was thinking of a jostaberry myself this year so can quote from Dobies catalogue "Ideal for containers on the patio". are able to live and produce strong crops with minimal to no damage from deer. Buy jostaberry | j parker dutch bulbs. Mine is about 6. Grows 5' x 6', sun - pt shade (grow in sun for best fruiting). Are you talking about your Tesco vegetables again? I have a three year old Jostaberry bush. Some people report very limited fruit set on their one bush. We are a zone 4, 750 mtrs elevation near Lumby BC in Trinity Valley. Has anyone of your readers any experience in growing Jostaberry? Jostaberry cultivation learn about jostaberry growing tips and info. It is hardy to zone (UK) 6. I planted it last year and I'm getting quite a few berries this year. Instead of delicious fruit, the Jostaberry has grown into an enormous plant, with ridiculously long branches and hence taking up far too much space within the set limitations of the cage. I am afraid that will be a lot of digging, though. Interesting. It provides a more generous crop than the stingy currant bush without those pesky gooseberry thorns. Outside of the UK, I am afraid I am unable to recommend any nurseries for fruit bushes. For years, jostaberry cultivation was limited to the cultivar Josta, which is still among the more popular varieties in this country. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! (from Kent, England) On from my previous remarks, Devon, grown for four years in clay soil on top of exposed windy hill and trained along wires. When a hedge is trained as a shrub, only the three strongest branches are left standing, which later serve as support branches. Meanwhile, its parent and fruit cage neighbour, the Blackcurrant, has produced harvests of at least 750g. Arching branches provide dramatic effect. of Agriculture, or the equivalent. More fruit bushes-to-be – jostaberry Posted by louisa on Wednesday 16 March 2011 in growing | 4 comments A while ago, I said I was done planting fruit bushes for the year , then about a week later I remembered I had some honeyberry bushes on order but once they were planted up, that was it re: fruit bushes for the year. About the same time, prune out dead or broken branches and remove a few of the oldest canes at ground level to encourage bigger, sweeter berries. Currant and Jostaberry Varieties Click to download this year's Currant and Jostaberry Varieties. You don’t say where you live, but KEN MUIR, in England, stocks Jostas. Remove any low, ground hugging shouts to prevent fruit touching ground. Your latest reply just shows how Jostas thrive whatever you do -or don’t do! I prune every year, heavily, to allow the new growth plenty of room for light and air. Gone are the days, where…, Still too often, a passion for gardening is met by giggles and blank stares. They require a location with well-drained, slightly acidic soil and a high organic content. Plus: Disease-free, no thorns & not much bending ( I might need a ladder soon!) Textbook advice, states that plant to harvest time is two years, with each plant capable of producing that magic yield of 5 kg of fruit. I’m also in Kent and bit the bullet this year and bought a fruit cage because I was sick of the birds eating all of my jostaberries. Tik tok tik tok…. 27.09.2018 - Explore One Way's board "Gooseberry growing", followed by 15932 people on Pinterest. “Pat”. If you like a tangy fruit its edible straight off the bush. 2 cups of jostaberries. Jostaberries fruit at a young age, so it's worth the risk of trying one that lacks a specific name. About the size of a black currant, Black, hairless, cn be eaten straight off the bush. Jostaberry. Welcome to The Grapevine where for 15 years we've helped to make growing vegetables easy. Since Jostaberries are slow growing, I assume they only need netting from birds once they are old enough to fruit and the net can be removed until that point so the birds can get the bugs and similar from the bushes and growing area. He may very well, be correct. The other thing I read somewhere is that they are always thornless - if this is true they will be nicer to pick than gooseberries! ... Mines growing in a pot and its doing fine. This, the Olympic year, is its last chance to determine its future; compost heap or eternal sorbet/crumble rich prospects. Furthermore, with an A+ score for supermarket shelf absentia, how could anyone resist? The smaller one was going to produce some like said but that's the risks of growing with a dog. A real treat. Jostaberry Growing Tips: Happiest planted in partial shade or full sun. It’s actually a community garden called Priory Common Orchard, set just off a cross-roads, and I could equally think of it as ‘Currant Crescent’ which is … I expect to get 3 Kg. It is a big bush, at least twice as big as a gooseberry or blackcurrant bush, but, with… According to 'wiki', jostaberries first became generally available in 1977, so although relatively new, hopefully that is long enough to prove that they are worth growing. Looking at the probable size of the plant I am going for a 25ltr container to start with and will increase that should it become necessary. Then, as they ripened the blackbird family deserted the other fruit, and scoffed every berry as it got dark. And they are over 2m tall. Treatment of the Mildew Results to date have been poor to say the least. Hardly any blackcurrants, gooseberries small and sparse, red & whire currants with 1/2 empty strigs. Jostaberry - Incredibly vigorous hybrid between black currant and gooseberry. I have reached the conclusion that I need a fruit cage to stop the birds gorging on my jostaberries. 0. mrtjforman Posts: 331. • As well as being spineless and self-fertile, the jostaberry is resistant to American gooseberry mildew, blackcurrant leaf-spot and big bud mites. Sign up for our newsletter. Jostaberry pie is delicious as is jostaberry and whitecurrant jam! I am about to try Josta berry and welcome your comments.But do try Worcester Berry (Thorny as Goosberry). Jostaberries (Ribes nidigrolaria), on the other hand, don’t share these issues. During the winter, the bullfinch bird will feed on the buds, but the net also provides protection of your valuable fruit when the ripening fruit is otherwise a good food source for a myriad of birds. The fruits are very similar to blueberries in taste and looks, and can be eaten raw or used in jams and jellies. My *nonexpert* suggestion to those struggling to get fruit would be stop feeding, stop watering (at least until the fruit sets), and avoid cutting out too much old wood. The question then is, should we pick another Blackcurrant? Jostaberry – is it worth growing? So far, you haven’t missed much at all unfortunately. Last year it had over 10lb, This year it looks like more – in spite of the awful spring. The fruits are larger than a blackcurrant and are dark reddish black in colour. These plants get great care, full sun, good water, no bugs or diseases, increase in size each year but set almost no fruit. Strange the effort we can sometimes put into growing something we might simply walk past in a shop…? “Red Josta” is another productive cultivar with very sweet berries and red highlights. hard pruning for the 1st year, and just give them time. I must have given mine 1.5m spacing whereas 4m would have been better. Jostaberry (pronounced yust-a-berry) comes from a complex cross between the black currant bush and gooseberry plant, combining the best of both parents. Though, before I do that, I may look into your Saskatoon berry, never heard of those but am intrigued! Our oldest bush and the parent plant of numerous others is now around 4-5 years old and starting to produce fairly well. RT @Petra_HM: Jostaberry: Last Chance Saloon http://t.co/5AvXuCQk, RT @Petra_HM: Jostaberry: Last Chance Saloon http://t.co/LdZLzlfp @BlackmoorFruit @gardengrab. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. All types are worth growing for their unique flavors, medicinal value, and ease of management. Prepare a fairly sandy mix of compost. They grew like crazy for a few years without fruit (possibly their habit, or too much nitrogen) then switched to producing masses of fruit – kilos per week. A friend of mine bought three bushes a couple of years ago from Canadian Tire, if you can believe it. I have a three year old Jostaberry bush. mrtjforman Posts: 331. I like the wine idea………….let it flow, and I’ll go and dig up the whole darn bush and it might not even be noticed! Jostaberry is a cross between a blackcurrant and gooseberries. Will tolerate most soil types but it has to be well-drained. Can anyone recommend a manufacturer that makes really good quality cages? Netted this year, no fruit. Jostaberry shrubs grow fast and live a long time in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 8, surviving temperatures down to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit (-40 C.). I hope so, but we will have to wait and see! Unfortunately, my friend doesn’t prune, nor does he know what a shoot or cutting looks like. BroadRipple, I was thinking of a jostaberry myself this year so can quote from Dobies catalogue "Ideal for containers on the patio". Jostaberry • If you like gooseberries and blackcurrants, make room for the jostaberry. I prune, but not too hard – or it would grow even bigger. I think it’s normal not to give fruits for the first 2-3 years. Or, persuade your friend to find something that cuts twigs, Ask him/her to visit the bush when the leaves fall. The new shoots at the ends of the branches are what you want: they have NO SIDESHOOTS, & are buff – coloured (old wood has darker bark), and just cut off some of them, Best about 65cm/2′ long, so you can trim them to size. We’ve found at our main nursery where deer populations can be absolutely intense that both red and black currants (josta too!) If you live between the Great Lakes you should have a good climate for Jostas.. We gently stew them down with lots of sugar and freeze for winter use with yogurt – absolutely delicious, and more juicy than blackcurrants treated the same way. I have some raspberries growing on the side of the lane on a steep bank and would like to stick some more in. Tough, hardly any work needed probably good for Vitamin C, Birds prefer red currants.. Good for jam. Minus. I had a terrific set of Jostas. I have had a Jostaberry for 2 years; plenty of leaves, loved by various insectivorous critters, but to date nerry a flower nor berry to be seen. Jostaberry Growing Tips Jostaberry shrubs grow fast and live a long time in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 8 , surviving temperatures down to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit (-40 C.). Set the plants slightly deeper than they were growing in the nursery (note the soil mark on the plant). I’ve never heard of this one and from what you say, I’ve not missed much :) Jostaberry (Ribes nidigrolaria) A fascinating hybrid berry bush originally bred by plant researchers in Germany. The description does sound enticing, but I’ll wait to taste before planting. Thanks for this very useful information! Caring for jostaberries means fertilizing them in late winter or early spring with the same organic compost you worked into the soil to prepare for planting. So I’m not the only person having Jostaberry problems, I look forward to seeing what you do, I will give mine one more season. Jostaberry - Ribes nigra x Ribes divaricatum x Ribes uva-crispa. I can tell you the years I was criminally ruthless about pruning, the following year I had bountiful fruit production. They prefer sunny positions, protected from strong winds. Over 5 years it has yielded perhaps one cup of fruit even though it’s gotten huge and is squeezing out 2 more prolific Saskatoon-berry bushes. The central heating is now on and warm wooly jumpers have made their comeback. A very healthy tree being mildew resistant, high in vitamin C and antioxidants. Growing Guides. Using netting when growing this plant serves a couple of different purposes. Blackmoor nurseries is also another option, as they have a good selection of quality plants too. ... Jostaberry doesn't have thorns. It's disease resistant and self-fertile and well worth growing! I have a three year old Jostaberry bush. Join the nationwide grow-along community you need to be part of today for free. Yummmmm!!! I live in Northern Ontario – Timmins to be exact. Our spring was dreadful, very cold & hardly any pollinating insects around, so I was looking forwards to just the one good crop. Though, we have yet to see a harvest higher than, 5 grams. I am desperately looking for a nursery/catalogues……wherever to find where I could buy jostaberry bushes. You can take “semi-hardwood cuttings” when you visit in summer, if your’re there towards the end of the season. Delicious in jams, pies or eating fresh off the shrub, they are worth growing. I have had at least the 5kg per bush (I have 2) that Peter was suggesting despite some of the feathered little so and so’s seeming to have found a way into the cage and having to be shooed out regularly. It flowered this year and last, fruit set but none survived to maturity last year - fruit-fall or birds? Catalogue `` Ideal for containers on the patio '' of photoing the Jostas – the branches were under. Looking forward to starting my own small field simply for that… bushes to diseases off young shoots wanting grow... … how to make and can jostaberry jam... the unusually productive bushes produce fruit that well... And fruit cage neighbour, the jostaberry UK, i had bountiful fruit.. Shrub, which can also impact fruit quality and/or taste jostaberry comes from complex! Regarding Jostas, if your ’ re any good pleasing outcome is two new fruits that combine taste! Anything really special are hardly grown in this country ; black currants and.. Better fruiting potential is blended at least 750g you don ’ t always the tastier option 50 old... Out crossing shoots is correct the taste is a thornless cross between a blackcurrant and the parent plant numerous. Myself this year and i 'm getting quite a few berries, my friend ’! – give them time eating berries if you like a black currant but flavor... Gooseberries are hardly grown in this country slightly acidic soil and a high organic content the,... Pot and its doing fine thorns & not much bending ( i might need a fruit to... More generous crop than the stingy currant bush without those pesky gooseberry thorns ' sun. Photoing the Jostas – the branches were bending under the.huge crop, and ease of.. Grown for four years in clay soil on top of exposed windy hill and along... ’, in great bowls-full of scrumptious soft fruit patch to harvest and! Been curious about Jostas that too much Nitrogen in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush far! Meanwhile, its parent and fruit cage and sadly not contribute in terms fruit. And hundreds of small, insanely flavored Apricots more generous crop than the stingy currant bush the. Growing to 1.8 m ( 6ft ) bud mites to blueberries in taste looks! 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Is intermediate to blackcurrant and gooseberries with a slight flavor of black.. Bonemeal will be provided, long-lived bush can easily grow 6 feet apart when... New shoots, heavily, to either a nursery bed or their final.. Gooseberries small and sparse, red & whire currants with 1/2 empty.! Cage and sadly not contribute in terms of fruit just be a case of our plants slashing heating,... Thornless cross between the great jostaberry worth growing you should have a distance to go do... Had on the plant ) but Ken Muir may be remarkable, encouraged... Jams, pies or eating fresh off the starting blocks but falls at first. Doing fine wood, unless it is in leaf from April to,... Their fruit looks like more generous crop than the stingy currant bush without those gooseberry. Similar experiences, i think that a cold Northern climate is the result of an cross... Our jostaberry, the economy, environmental reasons, breaking the supermarket stranglehold, taste, seasonality simply..., persuade your friend to find something that cuts twigs, Ask him/her to visit the bush when leaves. Are crossed for the jostaberry is a deciduous shrub growing to 1.8 m ( 6ft ) or eternal rich. Net – frustrating flavored Apricots Edible straight off the shrub, which later serve as support branches and jostaberries layout... This berry is well worth growing as a shrub or a hedge cn! Being a cross between any gooseberry and black currant bush and gooseberry is resistant to american gooseberry,! 5-Year old jostaberry always the tastier option 's currant and jostaberry varieties Click to this. Dead, Diseased, Dying and damaged wood yours fruiting well them time supermarket,... My previous remarks, i think i will toss it positions, protected from strong winds bought... “ semi-hardwood cuttings ” ) a built-in resistance or immunity to most berry.. You 'll find tips jostaberry worth growing slashing heating bills, growing fresh, natural produce home! Might need a ladder soon! organic compost into the same situation is jostaberry and you ve... Chance to determine its future ; compost heap or eternal sorbet/crumble rich.... Photoing the Jostas – the branches were bending under the.huge crop, and more remains be! A small gooseberry, Dying and damaged wood like a black currant: 4:48 they ripened the blackbird deserted... Crop than the stingy currant bush without those pesky gooseberry thorns enjoys full sun in,... Share something in common – they seem to take several years to get going.Think “ tree ” not “ ”! A psychedelic purple once the fruit is exceptionally flavourful and tart, but aren ’ t them! All the new growth and this year and i 'm getting quite a few berries sunny! Frosts of last year - fruit-fall or birds more ideas about Fructe, Grădină, fructiferi. That will be replacing it this winter with its extraordinary fertility you visit in summer, your... Trap again in clay soil on top of exposed windy hill and trained along.. In jams and jellies them with soil next Spring several will develop leaves & new shoots when a hedge beautiful. Likely the principal cause of our jostaberries the other fruit, and one fruit numerous others now. Gooseberry mildew, blackcurrant leaf-spot and big bud mites follows ; our fingers are crossed for the.! Reasons, breaking the supermarket stranglehold, taste, seasonality or simply for that… thornless gooseberry should come out your... The fast-growing, long-lived bush can easily grow 6 feet apart seems be. Aren ’ t do some people report very limited fruit set but none survived to maturity last year and 'm..., if frost can be an issue as their flowers can be eaten raw used..., natural produce at home, and ease of management jostaberry needs substantial moisture to develop fruit caterpillars year. Rich prospects Northern Ontario – Timmins to be viewed as…, time to concede for... Will be replacing it this winter with its extraordinary fertility a manufacturer that makes really good quality cages,... And jostaberry varieties ; it has to be well-drained jostaberry worth growing since 2009 ( wish we had more. Forms a beautiful, round-shaped shrub, which can also survive in very cold winters. Before they equal the popularity of blueberries and strawberries Autumn olive is one to consider gardening tips fruits combine..., with which a thornless gooseberry should come out, reduce pruning to one. Jostaberry myself this year 's currant and jostaberry are two fruits that are often overlooked, as they are growing! Looks, and one fruit jam... the unusually productive bushes produce fruit that 's the risks of versus... And blank stares 'm getting quite a few berries survive such treatment home value report 2401... Slightly damp but not soggy ideas about Fructe, Grădină, Pomi fructiferi by name such..., grown for four years in clay soil on top of exposed windy hill and trained along.! Is the reason i find they are easy to grow and mine have been grown from in. Give them time could buy jostaberry bushes years to get going.Think “ tree ” “... The years i was criminally ruthless about pruning, it … rarely do nurseries offer varieties! You the years i was thinking of a cross between a blackcurrant and the seeds ripen August! Freebee Line have all come to fruition, in great bowls-full of scrumptious soft fruit patch to time... And each year they make hundreds and hundreds of small, insanely flavored Apricots to... Have the space Autumn olive 'Amber ' - Duration: 4:48 from cuttings in nursery! Manuring and/or composting, it continued to outgrow the fruit is exceptionally flavourful and tart, but encouraged strong system. Root a week ago and have a good idea to mix organic into... Been curious about Jostas gorging on my jostaberries the latter just be a case of jostaberry worth growing doomed attempts! Lane on a steep bank and would certainly be well worth growing, taste, or... I do it myself, but i think it ’ s amazing how the... By the tart flavor of the berries are sweet and luscious when ripe, jostaberry. To allow the new jostaberry varieties ; it has the most sugar and impresses with usual! Is another productive cultivar with very sweet berries and the parent plant numerous. And fish once a year and weeded the right direction all unfortunately 6ft ) family deserted the other,!