Schwartzenbeeren Huckleberries on a white background.
A stack of waffles with whipped cream on top smothered in Schwartzenbeeren berry syrup.
Schwartzenbeeren berry jam and a cluster of Schwartzenbeeren berries off to the side.
Schwartzenbeeren Huckleberries on a white background.
A stack of waffles with whipped cream on top smothered in Schwartzenbeeren berry syrup.
Schwartzenbeeren berry jam and a cluster of Schwartzenbeeren berries off to the side.

Huckleberry Seeds,
Schwartzenbeeren Blackberries

4.439 ReviewsSKU: #GR133Min. seed count: 30
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Description

These have an incredible sweet taste, similar to real blackberries. Attractive 2- to 3-foot plants yield clusters of pea-sized black berries. Brought to Kansas by Volga German immigrants about 1875, and still appreciated by their descendants, who grow and use them in such traditional recipes as Kuchen, Maultaschen, Klump, and Knebel. Eat only fully ripe, dark blue-black berries. Perfect for pies and preserves!

Growing Tips: Start indoors in fine, moist soil, 6-8 weeks before setting out after frost. Harvest berries only when fully ripe, very black and soft. Warning: Unripe berries may be poisonous to eat.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Solanum nigrum
Life Cycle
Annual
Sun Requirement
6–12 hr.
Days to Germinate
7–21
Days to Maturity
75
Planting Depth
⅛ in.
Plant Spacing
24–32 in.
Ideal Temperature
75–85°F
Frost Hardy
No

When to Grow

Start seeds indoors in fine, moist soil 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date, and set plants out only after frost has passed — these are not frost hardy. Sow about ⅛ inch deep; germination takes 7 to 21 days. Give the 2- to 3-foot plants room, spacing them 24 to 32 inches apart where they will get 6 to 12 hours of sun. Berries come in around 75 days, and should be harvested only when fully ripe, very black and soft.

How to Sow and Plant

  • Germination steps are very similar to those for tomato seeds. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost date and transplant out after all chance of frost has passed. Sow seeds 1/8 inch deep.
  • Ideal germination temperature is 75-80 F.
  • Sow in quality seed-starting mix and provide average moisture.
  • Seeds germinate in 7-21 days.

How to Grow

  • Grow these plants just as you would tomatoes.
  • Provide full sun. Plants prefer well-drained soil with average to rich organic matter.
  • Provide average, consistent moisture.
  • Space plants 14 inches apart.
  • These plants can be grown with a tomato cage for support, or allow them to remain freestanding.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • A relatively pest- and disease-free plant. The biggest challenge is to prevent aggressive re-seeding and invasive behavior. If you are concerned about re-seeing, you can grow these in a container and prevent fruit spilling into soil, or provide a layer of plastic mulch or hardware cloth beneath plants and harvest fruit promptly.

How to Save Seeds

  • Self pollinating.
  • Save seeds by allowing fruit to become quite squishy and soft before picking.
  • Mash berries and dilute with water to help separate the seeds from the flesh, then skim the skin and flesh, leaving just the seeds.
  • Dry seeds thoroughly and place in an airtight container.
  • Store seeds in a cool, dark, dry place.

FAQ

When should Schwartzenbeeren berries be picked?

Harvest only when the berries are fully ripe — dark blue-black and soft. Unripe berries may be poisonous to eat.

What do Schwartzenbeeren berries taste like?

They have an incredible sweet taste, similar to real blackberries. The attractive plants yield clusters of pea-sized black berries that are perfect for pies and preserves.

What is the history behind this variety?

It was brought to Kansas by Volga German immigrants about 1875 and is still appreciated by their descendants, who grow it for traditional recipes such as Kuchen, Maultaschen, Klump, and Knebel.
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