Gooseberries, red raspberries and mulberries are abundant in Iowa this year. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
I know this won’t last long.
My raspberry bushes are heaving with berries, but it’s only a matter of time before my sworn enemy, the Japanese beetle, emerges to create havoc. Generally, there are several days between the time the berries start to ripen and when I spot the first foreign invader.
It goes downhill fast from there, as the bugs soon outnumber the berries.
I’m fully prepared to do battle, but intend to enjoy these beetle-free days as much as I can.
This spring’s abundant rain may have helped, as other berries appear to be plentiful, as well. I tried to recreate a mulberry bar recipe from my youth, but it turned out to be nothing like I remember. If anyone has a good mulberry recipe to share, please pass that along. This is also my first year for gooseberries, so any gooseberry recipes would be appreciated, too.
It’s past the season for pruning and planting berries in Iowa, but ISU Extension offers the following tips for those of you planning ahead: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/article/yard-and-garden-raspberries-and-blackberries
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