Since 2016, the Rockford Illinois Extension office has been home to a small planting of honeyberry (also known as haskap) bushes. Originally supported by a Specialty Crops Block Grant, the project explored the potential of honeyberries—and goji berries—for Northern Illinois growers. (Spoiler: goji didn’t make the cut due to very large thorns and aggressive growth.)
Although the grant has ended, I continue to care for the honeyberries each season, and I remain a strong advocate for this crop. Why? Two big reasons: early harvest and a great alternative to blueberries. Most years, the honeyberry harvest kicks off around Memorial Day. When I checked the plants on May 19, the berries were nearly ready, as you can see in the photos.
Honeyberries offer a similar fruit quality and flavor to blueberries but with a major advantage—they don’t require you to adjust soil pH so dramatically. And unlike some berry bushes, there are no thorns to deal with.
If you're interested in learning more, our northern neighbors at the University of Saskatchewan offer a wealth of honeyberry resources. Plus, UW–Madison Extension and the University of Minnesota are co-hosting a Honeyberry Academy event on July 1 in Minnesota. You can find more details here
