Tayberries

[FB.]

I don't have a Tayberry and I don't recall ever tasting one. I can't recall even having seen one, but I must have seen one at a nursery somewhere.

Anyway, there seems to be quite a difference in opinion as to the taste.
That could be due to what different people prefer, but it could also be due to the growing conditions - soil type, soil fertility, sunlight, rainfall, temperature and so on.
I have reached the conclusion that certain fruits taste great when grown in certain areas of the country, but can be poor in other areas.

I suggest giving them a try for a year or two and see what you think. Some years can be better than others, so it might take a couple of years to decide on the taste.
If you don't like the taste, you should be able to dig them out if you want to get rid of them in a couple of years.

[realfood]

I am very surprised at the comments about the taste of the Tayberry. I think that it is the best of all!!

If you only have space for one Hybrid berry, the Tayberry is the one to go for as it has such a divine sweet and aromatic taste when picked fully ripe, is large in size, fruits prolifically, and is reliable. Bred in Scotland, this is basically a cross between a Raspberry and a Bramble or Blackberry, and is very thorny. A thorn-less variant is the Buckingham Tayberry.

They are vigorous plants, needing some 4 sq m of space, on a fence, wall or trained on wires. This space can be reduced by tying in the fruiting growths in a circular pattern. I have grown a Tayberry on a wall using a rough circular pattern. It has produced very early, big crops of fruit for some 25 years with very little attention or feeding. Any reasonably fertile, well drained soil is adequate.

They should be picked when they are fully ripe as shown on the left hand dark maroon fruit, and not while they are still raspberry coloured, as shown on the right hand side. The central plug stays within the fruit when picked, just as happens with a Blackberry fruit, rather than a raspberry.
There is a photo of mine grown in a circular pattern on my web site.
Some of the comments about taste may be due to it being picked unripe,while it is still raspberry coloured. It needs to be left till it goes mauve.
Sometimes it is confused with Loganberries, which are really only suitable for cooking.

[Novice_emz]

Hi all,

I've most definately been convinced to keep my Tayberry and I'm planning on getting out in the garden today and work my behind off to clear the weeds ready to position the Tayberry to grow over the back wall.

Im so excited because apart from the strawberries I grew in the summer this will be my first step to growing my own and I just cant wait to start growing other stuff especially spuds and parsnips.

Your advice has been Great and I appreciate you all taking the time to respond

[Alison]

I really like my tayberry and don't find that it's as prolific as the blackberry with is planted nearby. They're OK raw but agree if eaten like that then rasps are nicer but makes really good jam and is lovely in pies. Definitely wouldn't get rid of it, give it a chance properly trained for a couple of years and then reassess if need be.

[kiwirach]

i got a tayberry in the post this morning from an offer in one of the gardening magazines.
glad to hear you've decided to keep it. i'm still fairly new to growing myself, but i'd have said keep it next year, see how it performs, what the berries taste like etc before deciding to ditch it!.
seeing all your wire fencing, you've got plenty of area to train it!.
good luck with your growing.

[AndrewD]

My daughter has just bought me a Tayberry plant. I am reading this thread as I don't know anything about Tayberries. I was hoping to find out what type of soil it likes. The idea that the type of soil may affect the taste is very interesting and before I plant it, I would like to consider this further so that I can prepare this soil accordingly. Could I ask the people who have mentioned the taste to tell me what type of soil they have. Thanks.

[realfood]

I think that the taste depends on making sure that the fruit is ripe. Most people pick the fruit when it is raspberry coloured, when it should be left till it goes maroon. I have it for my supper with no sugar! Must go and prepare some now for supper.
Loganberries are much sharper tasting.

[Panda]

I got a tayberry last year but it doesn't seem to be growing too well. How many years til it fruits? - does anyone know? Maybe the corner I have it in is just too shaded

[Flummery]

Mine's on a south facing wall Panda, but people in shady spots on our allotments have them and do well - and it may need another year. It fruits on the old year's wood so if it had been pruned down when you bought it, it would put new shoots up this year and then fruit on them next year. Then you need to cut out all the canes that bore fruit in the autumn and tie in the ones that grew that year. You're always harvesting from canes a year old.