Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: cardoon queen on October 20, 2021, 00:05

Title: Jostaberry - is it worth it?
Post by: cardoon queen on October 20, 2021, 00:05
I'm revamping our raised beds at the community centre cafe and am.thinking of one ericaceous for blueberries .... but still have another one 4m x 3m t9 fill with soft fruit. Little people come along quite a lot so thorns are not an option. Redcurrants and whitecurrants certainly but are jostaberries worth it?? Can chef cook with them as in muffins, cakes and coulis?? Do they need acid ph ?? Would you recommend anything else?
Title: Re: Jostaberry - is it worth it?
Post by: Deborah1 on October 20, 2021, 08:32
I’d say ‘yes’.
Giving you that Blackcurrant/Gooseberry taste, no spines and keep well on the bush.
In my experience it’s not fussy about soil - I grew it on my London allotment, and also here in Brittany.
It takes easily from hardwood cuttings too.
Title: Re: Jostaberry - is it worth it?
Post by: mumofstig on October 20, 2021, 09:22
I've never had much fruit on mine, but that may be because it doesn't like where it has been planted (over greensand layer, which dries out. I didn't know about it when I planted it  ::)) I quite like the taste, though - nice in pies.
I agree about the cuttings though, just stick them in in autumn, and they root :)
Title: Re: Jostaberry - is it worth it?
Post by: AnneB on October 20, 2021, 12:26
I would be careful about the space you give it.  We had to remove one from our fruit raised bed as it threatened to overpower the gooseberry next to it.  It was a real thug.  It was given to us as surplus to requirements, now I know why.
I prefer a straight blackcurrant taste wise and found I get a better yield.
Title: Re: Jostaberry - is it worth it?
Post by: cardoon queen on October 22, 2021, 01:28
Thanks all...think maybe one plant as I saw on a youtube video that Malcolm was cutting back a really big plant...
Good to hear chef can use it.
Blueberry bed might be good ..e
If we can net them
Ta