Many people enjoy fruit, especially delightful berries. And because they are limited crops due to seasonality, they become even more popular when the seasons allow for maximum yield, size, and flavor. Luckily for you as a farmer, growing berries is straightforward once you get your garden setup right and you’ve nurtured the crop for a while. Berries will give you back what you put into them tenfold. Here are the top eight delicious berries to grow on your farm that you can start growing today!
People Are Raving About Raspberries
People love raspberries because of their unique flavor profile, but did you know that they do much more than taste good? These succulent little treats are packed full of nutrients, especially vitamin C. In fact, if you eat just 100 grams of raspberries daily, you will have reached 30 percent of your daily intake for vitamin C! This nutrient is also great for your hair, nails, and skin.
Raspberries also have manganese, vitamin K, and calcium. There are also trace amounts of vitamin B complex, vitamin E, iron, copper, and potassium. This fruit is also low in sugar, making it ideal for diabetic patients and anyone who loves sweets. All in all, raspberries are an excellent source of nutrition and a boost to your immune system.
Ground Cherries Are in Vogue
These jewels aren’t your typical fruit, as they resemble a bite-size tomatillo. But don’t be fooled by the awkward appearance because these berries are bursting with tropical fruit flavors. The husks actually make these berries safer for consumption, as they protect the berries from potential predators, insects, and disease bacteria. This will lessen the chance of foodborne illness, although you should still wash them off before eating them.
These little berries are rich in antioxidants, B vitamins, vitamin A, vitamin C, and even anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. Most people eat these berries raw, but they are great in fruity tropical salsa and in salads—especially fruit salad.
Strawberries Are Always Everyone’s Favorite
If you’ve ever tasted the sweet and succulent delight that strawberries offer, you’ll know exactly why people rave about them. But what makes these treats even more sought after is that they grow successfully in nearly every climate. For farmers, this is great news!
Strawberries are packed with vitamins and nutrients, including fiber, potassium, folic acid, and manganese. All of these are beneficial to include in our daily diet. There are also a host of ailments that people rumor strawberries can cure, including hypertension, inflammation, high blood pressure, gout, and arthritis—and that’s to name a few!
Blueberries Are the Superfood You Need
These berries make for the perfect snack at any time. They keep well, so they will last in transit. Because of their resilience and tastiness, people have created thousands of recipes with blueberries. Blueberries are popular additions to cereal, granola, and salads. Plus, blueberry jam is one of the most delectable spreads out there. Blueberries also freeze well, so you can keep them all year round, whether you grow them or buy them.
Like all berries, blueberries are low-calorie, nutritionally dense treats. In fact, these berries are among the most nutritious, with high levels of fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and manganese. They are also at the top of the list for one of the highest antioxidant foods you can consume, which help rid your body of free radicals and contaminants.
Blackberries Are a Wild Treat
You’re likely to find blackberries out in the woods before you find them in a farmer’s field. This is because they mainly grow wild, but there are a few varieties that you can grow yourself.
Like most berries, blackberries are loaded with vitamin C, which is great for the rejuvenation of the body and your immune system. They are also high in fiber, which can help reduce cholesterol and encourage regular bowel movements. Blackberries also regulate blood sugar, reducing the risk of diabetes and helping your stomach develop good gut bacteria. These berries also prevent brain death, helping with memory and aging. This is because they contain antioxidants, which are shown to remove free radicals that cause neuron connectivity issues, preserving your mind.
Aronia Berries Are the Anti-Aging Fruit
These berries have the highest concentration of antioxidants, putting them at the top of the list of foods you’ll want to grow for health-focused individuals. Antioxidants have been proven to slow down the aging process and fight off cancers and other diseases that free radicals cause. They also help liver function and strengthen the immune system.
You can juice aronia berries and use them in smoothies. Or, as one of the perfect on-the-go snacks, aronia berries are also great dried or in salads and baked goods. You can even make herbal tea with the desiccated version!
I’ll Be Your Huckleberry
Huckleberries are among the most versatile berries you may ever encounter. They are mostly found natively in the northwest region of the United States, but you can cultivate them yourself on your farm. These berries are best sellers for their versatility, as people love using them for syrups, jellies, jams, ice cream, pies, candies, chocolate, and even wine. They even work great in soaps, shampoos, oils, and lotions.
Boysenberries Are Your Health Food Go-To
Boysenberries are larger berries, weighing in at 7 to 8 grams per berry. These berries will take you to a new level with the juiciness they pack, which is even juicier than both blackberries and raspberries. The juice also has many health benefits, providing polyphenols and vitamins. Plus, the seeds provide plenty of fiber to support healthy digestion and bowel movements. With exceptional nutrition, juiciness, and flavor, you will be hard-pressed to find a better pie filling than boysenberries.
With these eight delicious berries to grow on your farm, you no longer have to wonder about the healthiest, most versatile, and easiest-to-grow berries that will increase your profits. These are some of the best you can get, and you will be satisfied with the outcome. Whether you’re a health nut, you simply like to eat delicious foods, or you want to cater to health-conscious buyers, you can’t go wrong with these berries.
Once you grow the berries, however, you’ll need a way to package and store them, so they make it to hungry buyers. That’s why Globe Bag Co. sells wholesale berry boxes for you to organize, store, and keep your delicious berry crops—all at an economical price. Browse our website or contact us for more information!