Growing Goumi Berries

Gumi1 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Fruits de Goumi (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Goumi (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Have you ever heard of a goumi bush? No, I'm not making that name up - that is the common name for Eleagnus multiflora - another little-known berry that is a nutritional power house.

Goumi berries are a great source of vitamins A and E, and have the highest lycopene content of any food - even higher than the widely touted tomato.

These plants are originally from the far East, but if you live in the northeastern US, you may have seen goumi bushes without realizing it as the plants have naturalized over much of that region.

If you're in need of a lovely yet edible hedge row, consider giving goumi bushes a try. Goumi is a fast-growing bush, reaching heights of 10 feet (for southern cultivars) or 4-6 feet for cultivars hardy as far north as zone 4.

Goumi bushes are particularly useful interplanted with  other fruit bushes as goumi is a nitrogen-fixer.

That's right, instead of needing fertilizer, this bush fixes nitrogen in the soil, and any excess will be available to fertilize and potentially increase fruit production in nearby plants.

Plant goumi in most soils, provided that the site is well-drained and  receives an adequate amount of sunlight (half-day or more).

Goumi will tolerate drought and even harsh seaside habitats and pollution, making them an excellent edible bush for urban environments. Even better, they are also relatively free of problems from diseases or pests.

Goumi bushes produce lightly fragrant flowers in April or May, followed by juicy, bright red berries in early summer, during the gap-time between strawberries and blackberries.

The berries can be eaten fresh, provided they are fully ripe. Before ripening, the berries taste more sour than sweet., although they can be used in pies, jams and preserves at that point, particularly in any recipe calling for gooseberries.

Goumi berries can also be dried or even pickled - an incredibly unique flavor combining sweet, sour and salt. 

Expect up to 25 pounds of fruit from each goumi bush. They are self-fertile, meaning you don't have to plant them in pairs but can grow just one bush if you'd like. 

I've never seen goumi berries available commercially. At Rainbow's Acre we plan to grow at least two bushes, not only for health and variety but also so that the berry monsters can get their fix during that gap between strawberry harvest and blackberry/raspberry harvest.

So, are you ready to give growing goumi bushes a try?

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Aronia: The Superfood You May Not Know About

Aronia Berries (Photo credit: outdoorPDK)

One of the main goals of Rainbow’s Acre is to grow foods that are yummy enough to appeal to the kids and also provide our family with the greatest health benefits. 

Another goal is to grow fruits and vegetables from every color of the rainbow, in keeping with the recommendation by nutritionists that we eat foods in a variety of colors for optimal health.

This month, I’m participating in the A-Z Blogging Challenge. I’m going to spend April blogging about some of the plants we’re planning to grow at Rainbow’s Acre, from Aronia to Zucchini. 

Today’s post is about a superfood you’ve probably never heard of – aronia berries. Everyone who is eating blueberries for the health benefits take note – aronia berries score higher on many counts such as ORAC value and flavonoid content, making these fruits one of the best antioxidants on the planet.

Aronia berries contain more quinic acid (the compound that fights UTIs) than cranberries. This little pea-sized berry packs a punch, combining the best of blueberries, cranberries and blackberries in one fruit. 

So why aren’t aronia berries more popular? For those who are used to a high sugar diet, this deep purple fruit can taste somewhat tart. If tartness is an issue for you when eating the berries raw, try mixing them with sweeter fruits such as raspberries, blackberries or blueberries. 

Or try freezing – this process reduces tannins which in turn naturally sweetens the berries. And speaking of those natural tannins – it is just this property that makes aronia berries a popular additive in juices and wines, particularly grape and apple. The high tannin content improves the color and flavor of the resulting product.  

Aronia berries are small and easy to dry - just protect them from birds if you dry the fruits outdoors. The dried berries can be added to hot or cold cereal and enjoyed throughout the year. Or try adding the dried fruits to black or herbal teas. 

Aronia (Aronia melancarpa) is an easily grown, low-maintenance, fast growing bush that reaches about six feet in height. The bush tolerates a wide range of conditions and soils, and is very insect and disease resistant. Aronia is native to North America and can be grown in most temperate climates.

The bush produces dainty white flowers in May. Berries mature in the fall.

Each mature bush can produce between 36-38 pounds of fruit per year.  To put that into perspective, the average American only eats about eight pounds of berries (of all types) each year.

If you plan to add aronia berries to your diet, one bush might suffice for a family of five. At Rainbow’s Acre we’re going to plant three bushes for our family of five though as we’re all berry monsters. 

So, what do you think? Are you ready to give aronia berries a try?  

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