The Youngberry bush is prickly (though there is also a thornless variety), and needs support while growing. It prefers climates with mild winters. It is more immune to diseases than blackberry bushes.
While berries are being produced, the bush will start to grow new canes. After the berries are picked, the old canes will die back and can be pruned. The new canes should be left, as next season’s berries will be produced on them.
Birds love these berries, so most growers emphasize that you will probably want to net the bushes.
Youngberries are grown in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States.
Storage Hints
To freeze, wash, sort, and discard mouldy ones. Then freeze in one of the following 3 methods:
- Pack in a sugar syrup OR
- Crush, per 7 to 8 cups of fruit use 1 cup of sugar OR
- Freeze whole without sugar (for use in pies afterward). Arrange on trays or plates in the freezer, then pack in freezer bags or containers.
History Notes
Youngberries were developed by B.M. Young in 1905 in Morgan City, Louisiana, as a hybrid between the variety of blackberries named “Phenomenal”, and Mayes Dewberries. They were introduced commercially in 1926 and quickly came to rival Loganberries in popularity.
Literature & Lore
On a good day, marketers haul out phrases such as “The Greeks called Youngberries ‘Titan’s Blood’ “. The Greeks may have called some form of berry Titan’s Blood, but tweren’t no Youngberry, given that the fruit didn’t originate until 1905.
Language Notes
Loganberries were named after B.M. Young, who was an American fruit grower.