Growing Loganberries

Loganberries are a cross between a blackberry and a raspberry so they are one of the hybrid berries.  What is a hybrid berry?  Well it doesn't occur naturally and must be cross pollinated to be produced.  While these berries may be found at farmer's markets they are not typically found in grocery stores.  They are perfect for the berry enthusiast and will be productive in the home garden.  

Loganberries are named after James Harvey Logan, who was an amateur breeder of raspberries and blackberries. He discovered this natural hybrid growing in his garden in California in the 1880s, and named it after himself.  (BBC Gardener's World)  

The fruit of loganberries resemble a raspberry in appearance but are larger.  They ramble like a wild blackberry. The ripe berries are a beautiful jewel tone of reddish purple.

Loganberries have trailing thornless vines although there are varieties with thorns.  The have a staggered ripening period and the fruiting season can last up to 2 months.

Cultivating Loganberries

Choose a sunny location with loamy soil that drains well.  Mix organic matter into the soil prior to planting.  A trellis will help keep canes and fruit off the ground.  Be careful when tying canes up they break easily.  

The first year no pruning will be required.  Fruit is born on 1 year old canes and then the canes die so you can prune the cane down to the ground after fruiting or prune it the following spring. Try to keep only 10 to 12 canes per bush.

Each spring clean up plant debris around the bushes.   Sprinkle a complete dry organic fertilizer around the bush and spread a layer of compost on top.  When buds appear water in fish emulsion and kelp.

Loganberries like a blackberries retain the core when picked.  They can be used in any recipe for raspberries or blackberries.  Loganberries make delicious jams, jellies, and syrups.  Try them in muffins, cobblers, and crips and you won't be disappointed.

I love cultivating berries so the loganberry is part of my berry garden which includes the more commonly knowblackberries, raspberries and strawberries but the lesser known gooseberries, jostaberries, tayberries, Marion berries, boysenberries, and elderberries.