Sweet, juicy and wonderfully messy, mulberry season is one of the tastiest times of spring. The fruit ripens quickly, changing from red to deep purple or almost black on most varieties when ready to pick.
When to pick mulberries
For the best flavour, harvest mulberries when they’re fully coloured, soft and come away from the tree easily. Check your tree regularly during mulberry season, as ripe fruit won’t hang around for long, especially once the birds discover it.
Mulberries are delicious eaten fresh, but a productive tree can quickly leave you with more fruit than you know what to do with. Turn your harvest into jams, crumbles, cakes and muffins, or simmer the berries with a little sugar and lemon juice for an easy mulberry compote. Spoon it over yoghurt, pancakes or ice cream for a simple taste of spring.
How to freeze mulberries
If you still have plenty left over, mulberries freeze well too. Wash and dry the fruit, spread it in a single layer on a tray and freeze until firm before transferring to a container or freezer bag. It’s an easy way to make the most of your mulberry season harvest and enjoy the fruit well beyond spring.
Garden tip: Mulberry trees appreciate a layer of The Garden Family Sugar Cane Mulch around the root zone as the weather warms, helping the soil retain moisture and suppress weeds. Keep mulch clear of the trunk.
Want to keep your tree productive? Check out Gardening Australia’s tips for growing and caring for mulberries.
