Huckleberry Seeds,
Schwartzenbeeren Blackberries

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.