Mulberries
Readiness
Ripe between late June to early August
Ripe Mulberries are sweet, soft and detach easily from the tree.
Red or hybrid mulberries turn a dark purplish black colour, and white mulberries will be white/golden when ripe.
Harvesting
Average yield 10 to 30 lbs
Dress for a juicy mess!
Mulberries work great with the shake and catch method. With the assistance of 3-4 people (or bungee cords), hold up a tarp or a bedsheet by its corners a few feet off the ground. Use a long tool like a picking pole, broom, or rake to hook tree branches and gently vibrate them to let the ripe fruit fall on the tarp. Gather only ripe mulberries from tarp and place them in containers. Don’t layer the berries too high in containers, or they will crush. Do not lay the tarp on the ground – the fruit will smash.
Storing and Eating
Stems can be left on or picked off.
Place the mulberries in the fridge when you get home. Store in a shallow container for up to 2 days. Wash only before eating by submerging in a bowl of water.
To freeze, wash and let dry. Freeze on a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a bag or container. Frozen berries are best used for baking and cooking, and can be used without thawing. Use within a year.