Growing Jostaberries at the Allotment

Growing Jostaberries at the Allotment

The Jostaberry plant is a Hybrid, hardy shrub deriving from the Gooseberry and the Blackcurrant plants combined; giving Jostaberries a unique flavour, which is a combination of the two parent berries, blended together.

Jostaberries like a sunny position in moisture retentive soil and can be planted in autumn to early spring as a dormant bareroot shrub. Mulch around the base of the plant to retain moisture and supress the weeds.

Water regularly until the shrub has become established. Jostaberries are enjoyed by the birds and therefore the protection of a fruit cage or netting will keep them at bay. Jostaberries will also require protection from any frosts.

Any pruning should be done in the dormant months of the year to open it up with nicely growing, upright shoots. Fruits will form on year old wood; the previous years' growth.

Jostaberries will be ready to harvest from mid-summer. When just ripe/slightly under ripened, the flavour is more Gooseberry-like and the darker and fully ripened the fruit is; the flavour is sweeter and resembles blackcurrants more so.

Jostaberries will lose their leaves in autumn, but the foliage will grow fresh leaves during the following spring.

Jostaberries can be eaten fresh or can be frozen for storage. They can be cooked for desserts and used in pies and jams.

 

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Growing Jostaberries in Summary

Planting Jostaberries

  • Plant dormant bareroot shrubs in autumn - early spring
  • Plant in full sun
  • This is a Hybrid plant deriving from Gooseberries and Blackcurrants

Growing Jostaberries

  • Mulch when planting and every spring
  • Water well until established
  • Protect against frosts and birds

Harvesting Jostaberries

  • Harvest berries from mid July
  • Just ripe lighter berries have a more gooseberry flavour and darker, fully ripened are more blackcurrant flavour
  • Can be eaten fresh, cooked and frozen