Category: Honeyberries (Haskaps)

Growing Honeyberries (Haskaps) in Alaska

 

Honeyberries, or haskaps, are a unique berry. Honeyberries have a huge range in shape, size, productivity, taste, timing and evenness in how they ripen and how easily they come off the bush. The taste of honeyberries is often compared to other berries. I think the taste is unique, and you should try them and make your own comparisons (or not) with other berries.

I have written several articles on berries and they are roughly in order of my personal preference: first, on cultivating wild blueberries, next strawberries, then raspberries and then currants. So now I’m tackling honeyberries or haskaps, so they are my fifth favorite berry. They would be sixth if you include cloudberries, but I’m not going to write about cloudberries since they are generally not cultivated, although there may be ways to protect and promote their growth in the wild.

Haskap bushes with ripe berries on them.

Some berries require full sun, a narrow pH range and well-drained soils. Honeyberries tolerate partial shade, wet soils and a wide pH range. Their pruning requirements are more manageable than other types of berries, and they won’t take over your backyard with thorny bushes like raspberries tend to do. What’s not to like about a berry that is easy to grow, cold-hardy, highly productive and ripens earlier than most berries?

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Beyond Strawberries and Raspberries—Try Currants, Honeyberries, Serviceberries and More!

 

Raspberries and strawberries are ubiquitous in Alaska gardens and I, for one, never tire of eating them.

But there are other lesser known types of berries that also thrive in Alaska that are worth trying. You might even find a new favorite.

Saskatoons (or serviceberries), haskaps (or honeyberries), currants and gooseberries are well adapted to Alaskan growing conditions.

red currants growing on a bush

I love the tart, unique taste of currants. There are many varieties to choose from. They are a bit seedy, but the seeds can be eaten. They make an excellent jelly.

Saskatoons and haskaps are incredibly prolific and productive. They can be eaten fresh or in baked goods or preserves.

saskatoon bushes

Saskatoon or serviceberries are prolific. To me, they don’t compare to blueberries, but they’re a berry nonetheless.

Haskaps have the added benefit that they mature earlier than other berries, which extends the time you can be eating fresh berries. I love the tart flavor of currants, which is excellent when made into syrup or jam.

Growing berries is not as straightforward as growing lettuce or carrots. But at least you don’t have to plant them every year since they are generally perennial. Most berries benefit from full sun, mulching, compost, weed control, disease prevention measures, plentiful pollinators, good drainage and consistent watering. But berries vary substantially in their day/night length requirements, fertility needs, ideal pH, cold tolerance, required pruning regime and pollination strategies. Continue reading