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Garden Huckleberry

Quick Facts:

  • Solanaceous garden berry native to Africa
  • Not same as native US huckleberries
  • Tasteless on their own; Typically sweetened
  • Plants yield 2+ gallons over a season
  • Harvest only ripe, dull-skinned berries

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Quantity: Packet (50 Seeds)

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We ship to all areas of North America including the United States, its territories and outlying islands, and Canada. International orders may incur an additional charge to cover the handling of customs paperwork. Returns are accepted within 30 days of receipt. Full warranty information can be found here.

Garden Huckleberry

More about Garden Huckleberry

Solanum melanocerasum

DISCLAIMER:  There is conflicting information regarding the toxicity of plants in the Solanum melanocerasum species.  To be safe, only harvest fully ripe berries with dull, dark skins as green or under-ripe berries may be poisonous.  Cook prior to consumption.

Garden Huckleberry is a solanaceous garden berry native to Africa that is commonly used as a berry substitute in baking and canning recipes.  With this variety, we feel that establishing realistic expectations is critical before growing.  First, this huckleberry is not the same as the native huckleberries of the Vaccinium or Gaylussacia genera which are commonly found along the Pacific coast of the U... More

Less

Solanum melanocerasum

DISCLAIMER:  There is conflicting information regarding the toxicity of plants in the Solanum melanocerasum species.  To be safe, only harvest fully ripe berries with dull, dark skins as green or under-ripe berries may be poisonous.  Cook prior to consumption.

Garden Huckleberry is a solanaceous garden berry native to Africa that is commonly used as a berry substitute in baking and canning recipes.  With this variety, we feel that establishing realistic expectations is critical before growing.  First, this huckleberry is not the same as the native huckleberries of the Vaccinium or Gaylussacia genera which are commonly found along the Pacific coast of the United States.  Secondly, although often described as a blueberry substitute, the berries do not taste like blueberries.  Instead, they are tasteless and sometimes bitter, especially when eaten raw.  We tried folding them into a blueberry muffin recipe and found that they did not cook sufficiently enough to soften.  Our children were not really impressed with the product, but it is very possible that our preparation was lacking.

Despite our experience, we have decided to offer this variety on a trial basis because we have heard so many gardeners rave about how good they are when cooked, sweetened and mixed with a bit of lemon juice before using in jam or pies.  We also can say that we were very impressed with the productivity of this variety, with plants growing to 4' tall and yielding more than 10 gallons of berries from just three plants. 

We recommend harvesting the berries in the fall, once a majority of the berries have ripened.  Green or under-ripe berries have been reported to be poisonous, so only harvest fully-ripe berries that are somewhat soft to the touch and have dark, dull skins (See note below.)  90-100 days from transplant.  50 seeds per packet.

Note: The camera settings in the first few pictures above make the berries appear glossy.  Refer to the last picture for an example of how the skins should appear at harvest.

Solanum melanocerasum

DISCLAIMER:  There is conflicting information regarding the toxicity of plants in the Solanum melanocerasum species.  To be safe, only harvest fully ripe berries with dull, dark skins as green or under-ripe berries may be poisonous.  Cook prior to consumption.

Garden Huckleberry is a solanaceous garden berry native to Africa that is commonly used as a berry substitute in baking and canning recipes.  With this variety, we feel th... read more

read less

Solanum melanocerasum

DISCLAIMER:  There is conflicting information regarding the toxicity of plants in the Solanum melanocerasum species.  To be safe, only harvest fully ripe berries with dull, dark skins as green or under-ripe berries may be poisonous.  Cook prior to consumption.

Garden Huckleberry is a solanaceous garden berry native to Africa that is commonly used as a berry substitute in baking and canning recipes.  With this variety, we feel that establishing realistic expectations is critical before growing.  First, this huckleberry is not the same as the native huckleberries of the Vaccinium or Gaylussacia genera which are commonly found along the Pacific coast of the United States.  Secondly, although often described as a blueberry substitute, the berries do not taste like blueberries.  Instead, they are tasteless and sometimes bitter, especially when eaten raw.  We tried folding them into a blueberry muffin recipe and found that they did not cook sufficiently enough to soften.  Our children were not really impressed with the product, but it is very possible that our preparation was lacking.

Despite our experience, we have decided to offer this variety on a trial basis because we have heard so many gardeners rave about how good they are when cooked, sweetened and mixed with a bit of lemon juice before using in jam or pies.  We also can say that we were very impressed with the productivity of this variety, with plants growing to 4' tall and yielding more than 10 gallons of berries from just three plants. 

We recommend harvesting the berries in the fall, once a majority of the berries have ripened.  Green or under-ripe berries have been reported to be poisonous, so only harvest fully-ripe berries that are somewhat soft to the touch and have dark, dull skins (See note below.)  90-100 days from transplant.  50 seeds per packet.

Note: The camera settings in the first few pictures above make the berries appear glossy.  Refer to the last picture for an example of how the skins should appear at harvest.

Gardener holding seedlings
person holding seedlings

How to Grow Garden Huckleberry

Garden Huckleberry prefers well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter with a pH range of 5.5 to 6.5. The plant can grow in full sun to partial shade, but it tends to produce more fruit in full sun. Garden Huckleberry is a warm-season crop that is sensitive to frost and prefers temperatures between 60°F to 85°F. It is also a heavy feeder, so fertilizing with a balanced fertilizer every two weeks can help keep plants healthy and productive. Additionally, garden huckleberry benefits from regular irrigation, particularly during periods of drought.

Sow seeds indoors 6 weeks before last frost.  Plant 2-3 seeds per pot, 1/4" deep in sterile, seed-starting mix.  Thin to one plant per pot after germination has occurred.

Seedlings can be transplanted after the last frost date when the soil has warmed up to at least 60°F. Carefully remove the seedling from the container and loosen the roots. Dig a hole in the soil slightly larger than the seedling's root ball and gently place the seedling in the hole. Backfill with soil, gently tamp down, and water thoroughly. Space plants about 2-3 feet apart to allow for adequate air circulation. To minimize transplant shock, provide regular irrigation and protect seedlings from extreme temperatures and strong winds for the first few weeks after transplanting.

Insect Pests

Garden Huckleberry can be affected by a range of insect pests, including aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, and flea beetles. These pests can cause leaf damage, reduce plant vigor, and transmit viral diseases. Hand-picking or using insecticidal soap can help control these pests. Additionally, covering plants with row covers can prevent flea beetle damage, and hosing off plants with a strong stream of water can help dislodge spider mites. Regularly inspecting plants and promptly addressing any infestations can help prevent widespread damage. It is also important to remove any crop debris and weeds from the garden to eliminate pest habitat.

Diseases & Other Problems

Although generally easy to grow, garden Huckleberry can be susceptible to a number of diseases, including powdery mildew, bacterial spot, and verticillium wilt. Proper sanitation and cultural practices, such as spacing plants adequately and providing good air circulation, can help prevent disease. Additionally, applying a copper-based fungicide can help control fungal diseases. It is also important to remove any diseased plant material and practice crop rotation to prevent the buildup of soil-borne pathogens. Overwatering, under-fertilizing, and lack of sunlight can also contribute to plant stress and make plants more susceptible to disease.

Garden Huckleberries should be harvested when the fruit is fully mature, dull, and deep purple. To harvest, gently pull the fruit from the stem or use a sharp pair of scissors to cut the stem. Rinse the fruit in cool water and dry thoroughly before storing. Garden Huckleberries can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or frozen for long-term storage. To freeze, spread the fruit out on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag.

CONSIDERATIONS:

Garden huckleberry is a self-pollinating plant with both male and female organs being present in the same flower. Therefore it is generally not necessary to isolate huckleberry. It may be prudent, however, to isolate plants of different varieties by several feet or more to prevent accidental crossing by bees or other insects.

HARVESTING SEED:

To save your own garden huckleberry seeds, harvest mature fruit with dull, black skins. Crush the berries by hand or if processing a large number of berries, place in a food processor fitted with a plastic blade. Decant the seed and pulp mixture by adding cold water, stirring, and allowing the seeds to fall to the bottom. Repeat until no pulp remains. Pour the seeds out on a coffee filter or paper towel and place in a warm, well-ventilated area until completely dry.

SEED LONGETIVITY:

Garden huckleberry seeds can maintain their viability for up to 5 years if stored properly.

Childs hand planting a seed

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