Blackberries NOT sweet

[e Craig]

After all these years of sustainable/organic landscape maintenance, I have finally found time to restart veggie gardening. Need to pay attention to things not previously addressed.

Things are mostly good, so far, but Brazos blackberries planted last year have me perplexed. Berries are prolific, but so far they are TART! Thought that we were harvesting too soon, so waited until they very easily came off the vine. No help. Lemons are sweeter.

What have I missed?

Thanks.
Take care.
Craig

[Tony M]

Blackberry flavor varies a little bit with the season. If we have cool, dry, sunny weather, you’re going to get really sweet blackberries. If we have cloudy, wet, rainy, hot weather, they’re going to be more tart. This spring has been beautiful but quite variable.

The flavor varies with the variety of the plant also. Some people say the thorny ones are the sweetest but I have got plenty of tart berries while giving blood at the berry patch.

Get your soil tested and make sure you don't have significant deficiencies or excesses. If you stay with an organic program, which should include lots of compost, your soil will come around.

If all else fails, try some stevia which is a natural sweetener from a plant.

Tony M

[e Craig]

Thanks, Tony.
That's helpful
Take care.
Craig