North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Jim Fruth" <jimfruth@charter.net>]

Dan Nave asked, "Do Boysenberries grow in Pequot Lakes (Minnesota)?  When I 
Google them, they indicate hardy to zone 6."

   My Boysenberries grow upright for about 8" and grow prostrate 
thereafter, creeping along the ground.  If I get bitterly cold temperatures 
before a blanket of snow, I get no berries.  If I forget to cover the base 
of the plant, I get no crop the following season.  But if I mulch the base 
of the plants where the stems grew upright AND the snows come on time, I 
reap my just reward.
   When I got the plants (unnamed plants from Gurney) I planted them 
adjacent to the septic tank to ensure the roots wouldn't freeze.  Like other 
Prunus, stem ends sometimes tip-root and that was how I learned that I could 
plant them anywhere and I needn't be concerned about roots freezing.  Now I 
have plants thriving elsewhere.
   In Spring, I pull the stems out of the grass/weeds and tie them onto a 
trellis - they don't normally climb.  Care must be taken when pulling them 
out of the weeds because the stems bruise or kink easily and primocanes 
don't heal themselves.  I have learned that it is best to take the extra 
time to loosen the weeds/grass before attempting to lift the stems.
   The berries are HUGE!  5-6 will fill my hand.  They are sweetest when 
over-ripe.  And carefully removing all the tip-rooted plants further reward 
me when I sell the potted plants at the farmers' market.

Jim Fruth
Brambleberry Fruit Farm
4002 Davis Street
Pequot Lakes, MN  56472
1-218-831-7018 (My Cell)