Let's talk about Mulberries

Mulberries are enchanting little fruits that can bring a burst of sweetness to your garden and your palate. Whether you're an experienced gardener or someone just starting out, growing mulberries can be a fun and rewarding experience. In this post, we'll explore the intriguing world of mulberries, covering how to cultivate them and when to pick them for the best flavor.

The Beauty of Mulberries

Mulberries are not just tasty; they are incredibly versatile. You can use them in pies, jams, or enjoy them fresh off the tree. Many people say their flavor is a delightful mix of blackberries and raspberries, although we find they are just sweet little juicy, seedless delights! These berries can thrive in a variety of climates, making them accessible for many gardeners.

With their lovely heart-shaped leaves and dense branches, mulberry trees also enhance the beauty of your landscape, plus you can make Mulberry tea from the leaves! Additionally, the trees create shelters for birds and pollinators, enriching the biodiversity of your garden.

Choosing the Right Variety

Selecting the right type of mulberry tree is crucial for successful growth. Here are the three main varieties:

Red Mulberries: Known for their rich and sweet flavor, red mulberries grow well in most areas and adapt to a variety of soil conditions. In regions with moderate climate, these trees can yield up to 40 pounds of fruit per tree annually. We just purchased a Pakistani Mulberry about 4 weeks ago so the jury is still out on how it produces for us.
White Mulberries: Often grown for their leaves, which feed silkworms, white mulberries are also tasty when eaten fresh. These trees are drought-resistant and can thrive in poor soil. We have one white mulberry tree in our yard, but it is still young and is now just slowly starting to produce berries in year two.
Black Mulberries: Black mulberries are particularly sweet and can be a great choice if you prefer intense, sweet flavors. On average, black mulberry trees can produce 30 to 50 pounds of fruit per year, depending on their environment. We have an everbearing mulberry that with some tips and tricks produces about 3 flushes of berries all year long.

Consider your growing area and personal taste when choosing your variety and research what is best for your growing zone.

Ideal Growing Conditions

Mulberries are quite adaptable but thrive best under certain conditions. Here are some recommendations to ensure optimal growth:

Sunlight: Mulberry trees need full sunlight, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun daily, yep, even full-on Florida sun. Proper sunlight encourages healthy growth and abundant fruit.
Water: While mature trees can be drought-tolerant, young trees need regular watering until they are established. Consistent moisture during dry spells helps them flourish. HINT: If you plant them right before the rainy season starts, you do not have to worry about watering them.
Space: Mulberry trees can grow large, so planting them about 20 feet apart is ideal for allowing ample room for growth.
Pruning: Regular pruning is essential, especially in the early years, to encourage air circulation and shape the trees for better growth. Unfortunately, we have not stayed on top of that and are now struggling to get to the tallest branches. I guess it's more for the birds, right? :)

Everbearing Mulberry Tree

Planting Mulberry Trees

Planting mulberry trees is a simple process, making it perfect for gardeners of all skill levels. Follow these steps for success:

Select Your Location: Pick a sunny spot with good drainage, avoiding areas prone to pooling water because they do not like that much.
Prepare the Soil: Enhance the soil with compost or well-rotted manure for better fertility. We opt to grow pretty much everything in compost, so compost is what we usually choose.
Dig a Hole: Make a hole about twice the size of the root ball, ensuring that the depth matches the height of the root ball. This is solid advice if you plant an adult tree, but Mulberry propagation is so super simple because you can just cut a branch of a tree and stick it straight into the ground. 99% of the time it will take!
Position the Tree: Place the tree in the hole, keeping the root flare level with the soil surface.
Backfill the Hole: Fill in around the roots with the original soil, gently packing it to eliminate air pockets. This allows it to be sturdy.
Water Well: After planting, give the tree a thorough watering to settle the soil.
Mulch: Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base to help retain moisture and control weeds. Here in Florida, that is just about a must-do for all things.

Caring for Your Mulberry Trees

Once planted, proper care is crucial for a fruitful harvest. Here are some care tips:

Watering: Consistent watering is vital, especially during dry spells and in the first few years. Since we go through rainy season here in Florida we generally do not worry about it since we propagate right at the start of rainy season and so the watering takes care of itself.
Fertilizing: Mulberries don’t need heavy feeding, but applying a balanced fertilizer in early spring can boost growth, in short you can just toss a cup of 10-10-10 at the base and that will do the job.
Pest Control: Watch out for pests like aphids and spider mites. Using neem oil can be an effective natural solution, although the only thing we've ever had an issue with was Silkworms (Yep, the ones that spin actual Silk!). We tackle that by catching it early on and cutting off the effective branch, and feeding it to our chickens. They love a good Silkworm!
Weed Control: Regularly pull weeds and grass around your trees to reduce competition for nutrients and water.

Harvesting Mulberries

After all your hard work, it’s time for the rewarding harvest! Mulberries typically ripen between late spring and early summer, depending on the variety and climate. Here’s how to determine when they are ready to pick:

Color: Ripe black mulberries should be deep purple to black, while red ones should have a vibrant hue.
Firmness: Ripe berries feel plump but slightly soft when squeezed.
Drop Test: Gently shake the branches; ripe mulberries will easily fall. All over the Place. They will also turn everything purple so gloves are a solid choice!

Harvesting Mulberries — Mulberry harvest contraption

As you can see above, this year, we are using 4 electric fence poles and a big queen-sized fitted sheet to catch all of the mulberries. We simply shake each branch (much like an Olive tree is harvested in Italy) and move the contraption around the tree to catch our harvest. It beats purple fingers and is much faster ;)

Enjoying Your Harvest

Once your mulberries are picked, the fun really begins! Here are some delightful ways to enjoy them:

Fresh Eating: They make a delicious and healthy snack straight from the tree. They are rather addicting as well but if you're going for healthy snacking, this one is golden!
Baking: Use them in muffins, pies, or crumbles for a tasty treat that showcases their sweet flavor. You can make just about the same things with mulberries that you can make with Blueberries, Raspberries or any other type of berry.
Preserves: Mulberries are perfect for making jams, allowing you to enjoy their flavor long after harvesting them. And if you've never had Mulberry jam, you're in for a treat!
Smoothies: You can also blend them into smoothies or even turn them into ice cream.

3rd harvest of one of our trees

A few hints and tricks!

Two years ago, we came across a YouTube video (see below) which was about a Mulberry Farmer in the Phillipines. Every 3-4 months, he cuts back all of his branches by 50% and defoliates all of his trees. He provides the scientific reason for this about 4:30 minutes into the video. As you can imagine, the idea seems bizarre, and the first time we did this, we nearly choked at the idea but thought, let's do it and see what happens. So we did precisely that, and 2 months later, we had brand new leaves, brand new berries, a healthy tree, and most amazing, a whole new flush of Berries, and the tree was loaded again! Ever since, this is what we do every year and we enjoy three full flushes of Berries throughout the year! Thats'a LOT of Mulberries!

So, don't wait! Get a mulberry tree or a cutting, plant it in your garden, and soon you will experience the sweet delight of your very own mulberries!