I have been trying a varieties of hybrid, less familiar berries in my garden. I like berries because they bloom later and therefore are less prone to freeze, easy to care for being less prone to pests and disease than fruit trees, and are delicious fresh eaten or made into a variety of preserves.
Tayberries are a berry hybrid. It is a cross between a raspberry and a blackberry with the sweetness and juiciness of both these berries. Tayberries are much easier to contain than raspberries or blackberries but do have spines.
Growing:
Tayberries originate from Scotland and are easy to grow. They have few pests and diseases. They flower late in the season ensuring your crop is not damaged by frosts, and ripen earlier than most other berries.
Plant as bare root stock in early spring. Mix compost into the planting hole. Every year in early spring, cut down to the ground canes that bore fruit, fertilize with a dry organic fertilizer and spread a fresh layer of mulch around the bushes each spring. An occasional drink of fish emulsion and kelp keeps them happy.
Tayberries are grown like raspberries. Each spring new canes are produced which will produce fruit the following season. After fruiting, the canes can be cut down to the ground and the new seasons growth left to produce the following year.
Tayberries need support. I use t posts with hog fencing. I try to tie the canes in a fan shape.
Harvesting:
Allow bayberries to fully ripen to a deep reddish purple. They will be sweet and delicious when fully ripe and wonderful eaten fresh. They also would make delicious jams and freeze well. I have not found them to be as productive as raspberries or blackberries but I'm hoping the harvests improve each year.
