Damon Mcknight
Loganberries are a cross between raspberries and blackberries, with the former's colour and the latter's shape. They are named after James Harvey Logan, who was an amateur breeder of these berries and discovered this natural hybrid in his garden in California in the 1880s. They are high in vitamin C and can be eaten fresh, or used for baking, juicing, or winemaking. Loganberries are rarely sold in shops due to their short shelf life and difficulty in mechanical harvesting, making them ideal for home gardens. Here is a guide on how to grow them in Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Loganberries are an accidental cross between blackberries and raspberries. They have long trailing fast-growing canes with large rough leaves and pale pink-white spring flowers. The berries are deep red, elongated, and extremely juicy. |
| Climate | Loganberries are completely frost hardy and should be planted in a sunny spot. |
| Soil | Loganberries should be planted in rich, well-drained soil. |
| Spacing | Loganberries should be spaced around 1.5m apart and planted quite shallow, around 10 cm deep. |
| Planting | Loganberries are usually planted as bare root plants, between November and March. They can be purchased from specialist fruit suppliers or garden centres. Before planting, install a trellis or support system, such as wires against a wall or fence. |
| Yield | Loganberries are self-fertile and self-pollinating, but planting more than one plant often results in a better yield. They start to fruit from a young age and will provide good crops for at least 10-15 years. |
| Uses | Loganberries can be eaten fresh, baked into puddings, pies, and pastries, or turned into juice and wine. |
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What You'll Learn
- Loganberries thrive in sunny spots with well-drained soil
- Enrich the soil with fertilisers and gypsum if it's clay-based
- Install a trellis or support system to help the canes grow
- Tie the canes to the wires, cutting back older canes in autumn
- Protect the fruit from extreme heat, sunshine, and birds with shade cloth
Loganberries thrive in sunny spots with well-drained soil
Loganberries are a cross between raspberries and blackberries, with the former's colour and the latter's shape. They are usually planted as bare root plants between November and March, but you can also find pot-grown plants at the garden centre in spring and summer.
Plant in full sun into any rich, well-drained soil. Space the plants around 1.5 metres apart and plant quite shallow, around 10 cm deep. You can also install a trellis or support system with wires running between two stakes at waist and shoulder height to help support the canes as they grow. Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the container. Enrich the soil with a soil improver and plant fertiliser. If the soil is clay-based, add gypsum and fork it in well.
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Enrich the soil with fertilisers and gypsum if it's clay-based
If you're looking to grow loganberries in Australia, you'll want to choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Loganberries thrive in full sun and any rich, well-drained soil. If your soil is clay-based, you can enrich it by adding fertilisers and gypsum.
Gypsum is a popular soil amendment, especially for clay soil, as it improves soil structure and relieves compaction. It helps to loosen compacted clay soil, increase water penetration, and improve drainage, creating the ideal conditions for better plant root growth. Clay soil has a unique capacity to hold more water and nutrients compared to other soil types, and when managed well, it requires less irrigation and fertiliser, resulting in healthier plants.
Gypsum is a simple chemical called calcium sulfate (CaSO4) that contains both calcium and sulfate ions, which are essential plant nutrients. In sodic soil, where there are high levels of sodium and low levels of calcium and magnesium, gypsum works by knocking the sodium ions off the clay and replacing them with calcium ions. This improves soil structure and drainage. However, it's important to note that gypsum does not improve the structure of other types of clay, and it may not be effective in improving poor permeability due to compaction.
To apply gypsum to your clay-based soil, use a regular lawn spreader to distribute it evenly over the soil surface. Before making any amendments, it's recommended to test your soil to determine its specific needs. In addition to gypsum, you can also add organic matter such as compost, pine bark, or composted leaves to improve the structure of clay soil and help with drainage and compaction issues.
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Install a trellis or support system to help the canes grow
Loganberries are long trailing plants with fast-growing canes that produce heavy crops of deep red berries. They are self-fertile and frost-hardy, and they start to fruit when they are young. Loganberries are usually planted against a fence or wall, or on a post and wire system. Before you plant them, it is important to install a trellis or support system to help the canes grow.
A couple of posts with a line strung between them will do the trick, but you can also install a fancier trellis if you prefer. Install wires running between two stakes at waist and shoulder height. As the canes grow, loosely tie any fruiting canes to the top wire, and tie the newer canes to the wire below. This will help support the canes as they grow and increase fruit yields.
If you are planting multiple loganberry plants, be sure to leave at least 1.5 to 2 metres between them. Loganberries are large plants and need plenty of space to grow. They should be planted in full sun, in rich, well-drained soil.
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Tie the canes to the wires, cutting back older canes in autumn
Loganberries are long trailing plants with fast-growing canes that produce heavy crops of deep red berries. They are usually planted against a trellis or taut wires, which help support the canes as they grow.
To grow loganberries, you should first install a trellis or support system with wires. As the canes grow, tie any fruiting canes to the top wire. In the autumn, cut back the older canes to ground level. Untie the canes from the bottom wire and retie them to the second wire. Repeat this process annually.
When tying the canes, it is important to do so loosely. This ensures that the stems are not damaged by wind or other elements. You should also ensure that the canes are tied securely to the wires to prevent them from falling or being damaged.
The wires should be installed between two stakes at waist and shoulder height. This will provide ample support for the canes as they grow. The canes should be planted about 10 cm deep and spaced about 1.5 to 1.8 metres apart.
By following these steps, you can successfully grow and maintain loganberries, enjoying their sweet and juicy berries for years to come.
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Protect the fruit from extreme heat, sunshine, and birds with shade cloth
Loganberries are a type of cane berry, which can suffer from sun damage. To protect the fruit from extreme heat, sunshine, and birds, you can use shade cloth, netting, or fabric.
Shade cloth is a popular method to protect plants from the sun and heat. It can be attached to stakes and suspended over plants, providing shade and protection from the sun's harmful UV rays. The amount of shade required depends on the plant, with vegetables and fruit trees requiring 50-60% shading, while sensitive plants may need up to 90%. Black shade cloth is particularly effective in mitigating sun damage.
Netting can also be used to protect loganberries from birds and provide some shade. Tulle fabric is a popular choice as its fine mesh size effectively excludes birds. The netting can be draped over the plants or fruit trees, with the ends secured using clothespins or rocks. It is important to trim any branches that stick out beyond the canopy to prevent them from getting caught in the netting.
Breathable fabric can also be used to wrap individual fruits or the entire tree to protect them from birds. This method allows the fruit to breathe while providing a physical barrier against pecking.
In addition to shade cloth and netting, it is important to keep plants well-watered to withstand high temperatures. Watering the ground around the plants, rather than the leaves, is recommended to avoid scalding. Applying a thick layer of mulch also helps to shield the soil from the sun and reduce evaporation.
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Frequently asked questions
Loganberries are usually planted as bare-root plants between November and March. You can also find pot-grown plants at the garden centre in spring and summer.
Loganberries do best in a sunny spot, in well-drained soil that is rich in humus. They should be planted against a fence, wall, or post with a wire support system.
Loganberry plants need plenty of space as they are large plants. Space them around 1.5 to 2 metres apart and plant them quite shallow, around 10 cm deep.
Yes, before you plant, install plant supports and wires. Dig a generous hole that's around twice the size of the root ball, and add compost or well-rotted manure at the base. If your soil is clay-based, add gypsum and fork it in well.
In late autumn, when the canes are dormant, or in early spring as seedlings, choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Protect the plants from the hot afternoon sun and strong winds. As the canes grow, loosely tie any fruiting canes to the top wire, and tie the newer canes to the wire below. In autumn, cut back older canes and retie the new canes to the next wire. Cover the fruit with shade cloth to protect them from extreme heat and sunshine, and to keep birds away.
