Berry Spotlight
*Black Raspberry*
As an illustration, here are some interesting facts about the old Black Raspberry (BR). Black Raspberries have 40% more antioxidants than strawberries and 11% more than blueberries. Doctors now recommend BR should be one of our 5 servings of fruit and vegetables daily. In a study at Ohio State rats with colon tumors had BR added to their diets, the rats showed 80% fewer malignant tumors than the control group of rats that did not have BR in their diets.
A composted material rich in nitrogen, such as manure, also makes an excellent fertilizer and may be substituted for a balanced synthetic fertilizer. Because composted materials release their nutrients more slowly than synthetic fertilizers, apply such materials in late fall.
You should prune established currant and gooseberry shrubs to encourage vigor and fruit production, improve sun penetration into the bush, and maintain good air circulation to minimize disease. During the first three years of growth, allow four or five canes to develop per year, removing only weak or damaged wood. Beginning in the fourth year, prune out the oldest wood annually in early spring before growth begins. In addition, remove any weak new growth. A mature bush should have 9 to 12 canes once pruning is completed. Fruit is produced on one-, two-, and three-year-old wood.
Harvesting
There is no simpler way to tell when currants and gooseberries are ripe than to monitor the color and flavor of the fruits as they develop. When using the fruit for jam, you should harvest it before it is fully ripe so that natural fruit pectin levels will be higher. Cool picked fruit quickly, placing it in covered containers or closed bags to maintain humidity levels and prevent drying when storing fruit in a frost-free refrigerator. Promptly cooled berries will keep in the refrigerator for up to several weeks.
Health benefits of
the gooseberry!
Gooseberries are low in calories; 100 g of fresh berries hold just 44 calories. As in blackcurrants, they too have significantly high amounts of phenolic phytochemicals, especially flavones and anthocyanins. These compounds have been found to have numerous health-benefiting effects against
cancer, aging, inflammation, and neurological diseases.
*They moderately good in anti-oxidant values. At 3277 umol TE/100g, gooseberries have oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) value, which can be comparable to that of red currants.
*The berries are moderate source of vitamin-C. 100 g of fresh berries provide 27.7 mcg or 46% of daily-recommended intake values of vitamin C. Research studies have shown that consumption of fruits rich in vitamin-C helps body develop immunity against infectious agents.
*They carry small amounts of vitamin-A. 100 g berries has 10 % of RDA of this vitamin. Vitamin A is required for maintaining integrity of mucus membranes and skin, and essential component of visual cycle. In addition, consumption of natural fruits rich in vitamins and flavonoid anti-oxidants has been found to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
*Fresh berries contain small amounts of essential vitamins such as pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), folates, and thiamin (vitamin B-1). Some of these vitamins are essential in the sense that the body requires them for metabolism from external sources to replenish.
*Furthermore, gooseberries contain adequate levels of minerals such as copper, calcium, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, and potassium.
Plan to visit our CCE Teaching Garden this season and see the new Ribes that we will have on trial. Our collection has come from Oregon and we will be honored to showcase them as they root out. Make sure to add these gems to your garden this season as many older and new varieties exist for you to try. Call or email Roger for any additional information at 607-535-7161 or [email protected].