{"title":"Best Berries for Canning \u0026 Freezing","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 5 varieties in our catalog that scored 8 or higher out of 10 for canning and freezing. Scored on whether the fruit holds its texture, color and flavor in a jar or the freezer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn 8 is Very good on the adapted Beach (1905) grade, a 9 is Very good to best and a 10 is Best. Varieties that scored 6 or 7 are genuinely good at this too, and you will find them under the matching Shop by Use group.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery score in this list is sourced. Nothing is here because it is popular, and nothing is here on our word alone. The full evidence, including what each variety scored for every other use and why, is in the use guide.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"honeyberry-bundle-of-4","title":"Honeyberry (Bundle of 4)","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince we tried a fresh Aurora Honeyberry during Montana State’s Western Ag. Research Center taste testing in July of 2019, we knew we had to grow it. Aurora consistently produces large berries, is easy to harvest, and demonstrates excellent flavor. Aurora is hardy to below -50°F. That said, a friend grows them in the Yukon, where temperatures dip below -65°F! He’s not so sure of the variety, but the point is, they’re tough and very well may grow in such extremes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur pollenizer for the Aurora is Tundra, which we have found to be extremely reliable. The flavor is almost as good as Aurora, although the berry size is slightly smaller and the berries are a hint more tart. They are however, precocious and hardy. Easily hardy to at least -50F, which we must depend on in cold climates if we want Aurora to survive and do well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBundle \u0026amp; Planting Instructions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese honeyberries come in a bundle of 4, 3 Aurora and 1 pollenizer, Tundra. They must be planted together for pollination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePlant Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese honeyberries are currently our larger grade and going on their fourth year.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"3 Year Old Larger Grade: 3 Aurora and 1 Tundra","offer_id":42611829145666,"sku":null,"price":139.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/honeyberry-fruit-on-bush.webp?v=1789020347"},{"product_id":"nova-raspberry-bundle-of-5","title":"Nova Raspberry (Bundle of 5)","description":"\u003cp style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eHailing from the Nova Scotia research station in the early ’80s, Nova is a dependable raspberry that continues to bear fruit year after year—especially when older canes are pruned back regularly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eBuilt for the Cold\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eNova, along with Boyne and Polana, ranks as one of the most cold-hardy red raspberries we’ve tried. Thanks to their excellent flavor and ability to withstand high, dry winds and extremely low temps, these three are the \u003cem\u003eonly\u003c\/em\u003e red raspberry varieties we’re currently offering. They’re also the go-to raspberry on the Canadian prairie, where -40°F (or colder) is the norm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eHardy to Zone 2.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e2027 Plant Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOur 2027 Nova raspberry plants are large and come with extensive root systems—ready to take off in your garden.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42472439152706,"sku":null,"price":79.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/nova-raspberry-fruit.webp?v=1789020680"},{"product_id":"sparkle-strawberry-bundle-of-25","title":"Sparkle Strawberry (Bundle of 25)","description":"\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eSparkle is perhaps right up there with Honeoye in terms of survivability. If you're in a very cold area, grow this alongside Honeoye (Zone 2), as Sparkle is hardy to Zone 3—potentially even Zone 2 if well mulched over winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eEverything else we offer is Zone 3.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eGreat for Jam and Freezing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eSparkle isn’t the best for fresh eating, but for whatever reason, it makes \u003cem\u003efantastic\u003c\/em\u003e jam and freezes well. Some of the other varieties that taste better fresh don’t hold up in jam quite like Sparkle does.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eLater-Season Producer\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eBerries are small to medium in size and come on later in the summer. Hardy to Zone 3.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003ePlanting Tips\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003eThese are sold bare root. Plant with Honeoye—their blossoms will overlap, even though Honeoye fruits slightly earlier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\" data-rte-preserve-empty=\"true\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42472440954946,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/sparkle-strawberry-fruit.webp?v=1789021109"},{"product_id":"cold-climate-blueberry-bundle-bundle-of-3","title":"Cold Climate Blueberry Bundle (Bundle of 3)","description":"\u003ch3\u003eBundle Composition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese 'Cold Climate Blueberry Bundles' consist of 2 Chippewa and 1 other pollenizer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollenizer Options\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pollenizer is a mix of either Polaris, St. Cloud, or Brunswick. Chippewa, Polaris and St. Cloud are all half-high (roughly chest height), as they are a cross between low-bush and highbush. The Brunswick is slightly smaller but only because this is a lowbush blueberry, and won't achieve the same height as the half-high blueberries, but also serves as a great pollenizer for the Chippewa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn terms of hardiness, these blueberries are all hardy to -40F, and should be good for the warmer valleys in Western Montana (and eastern Montana such as valley near Billings), as well as areas that are up and out of the frost. Curious if these can survive -45F or more but they very well may. However, we are being a little cautious without knowing for sure. These are zone 3 blueberries and would be experimental in zone 2.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAge \u0026amp; Productivity\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese are all going on their fourth year, are very well rooted, and will potentially bear the year of planting or the following year.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Large Size: 1 Polaris 1 St. Cloud and 1 Chippewa","offer_id":43081162817602,"sku":null,"price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/chippewa-blueberry-fruit.jpg?v=1789019810"},{"product_id":"royalty-purple-raspberry-bundle-of-3","title":"Royalty Purple Raspberry (Bundle of 3)","description":"\u003cp\u003eNew Variety. Description Coming Soon!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45181660561474,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/MontanaFruitTreeCoPhotoComingSoon_78c11e54-1b2f-491a-9ffc-60def78f3a45.png?v=1788986684"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/collections\/best-berries-for-canning-freezing.oembed","provider":"Montana Fruit Trees","version":"1.0","type":"link"}