How to grow Boysenberry in Australia
Grow boysenberry in full sun in well-drained soil enriched with compost, and provide a sturdy trellis for the long trailing canes. Water deeply while fruit develops.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 6 litres a week, watered every 3 days
- Spacing: 150 cm
- Time to harvest: 365 days (about 1 year)
- Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5
- Frost tolerance: Frost hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | May to August | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | May to August | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | May to August | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | May to August | |
| Adelaide & SA | May to August | |
| Perth & WA | May to August | |
| Tasmania | June to August | Plant Jun to Aug. Cane berries excel in Tasmania. Heavy summer crops. |
| Canberra & ACT | May to August | |
| North Queensland | Not suited | Not suited. Cane berries need winter dormancy. Grow native raspberry instead. |
| Darwin & Top End | Not suited | Not viable. Cane berries need winter dormancy. No chill in Darwin. |
Varieties
- Thornless Boysenberry
- Mapua
Companion planting
Good companions
Avoid planting near
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Berries are ripe when deep maroon, soft and glossy and they slip off with a gentle pull. Pick gently by hand every couple of days through the season.
Storage
Fridge for 2 to 3 days. Freeze in a single layer for months. Make into jam for longer storage.