Garden Huckleberry - Solanum Scabrum - Rare, Sweet, and Colourful Berries
Quantity: 30 Seeds
Solanum Scabrum, also known as the Garden Huckleberry, is a plant in the nightshade family, Solanaceae. The origin of this plant is unknown, and it is likely a cultivation of S. Nigrum. The berries have a unique and pleasantly complex flavour profile. Raw, the berries taste somewhat bland, however, cooking will greatly enhance the flavour, texture, and sweetness. The best uses for this berry include jams, jellies, pies, tarts, and baked goods. The berries are rich in antioxidants, and will add a stunning purple pigment to any recipe.
There is a lot of misinformation about this berry, as many people often confuse it with the deadly nightshade, even though the two species look nothing alike. Although the unripe berries should not be consumed, The dark ripe berries are completely safe to eat in large quantities by both adults and children. Some cultures even regularly eat the cooked leaves, however I have not eaten the leaves in large amounts for an extended period of time, so discretion is advised.
All seeds are organic and open pollinated.
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Growing Instructions
For the highest yields, It’s best to start Solanum Scabrum seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last frost; we start them here on the farm in mid march. It's good to sow them in a sterile growing medium; most available seed starting soils should do the job nicely; we use sunshine mix (peat moss and perlite). The soil should be made moist, but not damp. Sow the seeds on the surface for best results, or at most 1/8 inch below the soil surface. Store in a warm area until tiny sprouts emerge from the soil. A heat mat greatly aids in this step, but is not necessary. Seeds can take up to 2 weeks to germinate, but may take less time too. Once germinated, and the first true leaf has formed, it's time to pot up to a larger container that contains a good quality potting soil. Transplant to their final location when the nighttime temperatures are consistently 8°C or higher; for us at the farm, this is around early May. The plants can live as perennials, so may be dug out of the ground in the autumn, and brought indoors for the winter.