Mulberries are delicious fruits that come in several varieties, including red, black, and wild mulberries. Many people enjoy growing them because they are ideal for picking and eating fresh, and they are also commonly used to make jams and juices.
If you want to learn more about when mulberry trees begin fruiting, how to tell when the fruits are ripe, and how to care for the plants, this article covers everything you need to know.
When Do Mulberry Trees Start Fruiting?
Mulberry trees generally begin producing fruit one year after planting, though the exact fruiting time depends on the variety and growing conditions.
Here is the typical fruiting period for common types:
- Summer-fruiting raspberries produce their crop in June or July, delivering one harvest per season.
- Ever-bearing raspberries produce fruit twice a year—in summer and fall.
- Blackberries fruit for 3 to 4 weeks sometime between late June and early September.
Planting a mix of summer-fruiting and ever-bearing raspberries is an excellent way to extend your harvest season.
Additionally, all raspberry and blackberry varieties are self-fertile, so a single plant is usually enough to produce fruit.
Signs That Mulberries Are Ripe
Mulberries typically ripen over a period of about two weeks. Here are the main indicators of ripeness:
- Raspberries are ready to pick when their fruits are full, soft, and richly colored.
- A ripe berry should detach easily from the plant with a gentle pull.
- Blackberries taste sweetest if left on the bush for up to 3 additional days after turning fully black.
It is recommended to pick mulberries in the early morning when temperatures are cool. Use a shallow container to prevent crushing the fruit, and avoid washing the berries until you are ready to eat them, as moisture can cause them to spoil quickly.
Mulberry Tree Care Tips
Here are some essential guidelines for growing healthy berry shrubs:
- Plant mulberries in soil free of weeds.
- Water young shrubs regularly.
- Apply organic mulch to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
- Fertilize mulberry shrubs twice in the first year, then once yearly after that.
A general recommendation is 1 kg of 10-10-10 fertilizer per 30 meters, with less needed if fewer shrubs are planted.
Recommended Mulberry and Berry Varieties
- Glen Moy – Large berries and strong disease resistance.
- Malling Jewel – Excellent flavor.
- Glen Ample – Heavy crops and good disease resistance.
- Valentina – Attractive pink berries and good resistance.
- Tulameen – Delicious flavor, few thorns, and good resistance to grey mold.
- Hull Thornless – Sweet taste and low acidity.
- Kiowa – Strong flavor and long ripening season.
- Autumn Bliss – Large fruits and excellent taste.
