BERRIES are some of the most delicious and health-giving fruits.

Rubus idaeus or raspberry, although not a berry as such, has been cultivated in Greece for more than 2000 years. It is native to south-eastern Europe and yet grown as far north as Iceland. Raspberry seeds have been discovered in Roman forts in Britain. Today it is as popular as ever with many cultivars now available.

Raspberries are easy to grow in the home garden or in large containers and the growing season can be extended by planting both the summer and autumn fruiting varieties.

From a health view, besides vitamin C, raspberries probably have the highest content of elegiac acid of any fruit.

Author Susanna Lyle, in her book “Discovering Fruit and Nuts”, says raspberries have carcinogen properties and have been clinically proven to cause the death of some cancer cells. They may also help reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes due to a natural form of aspirin they contain called salicylic acid.

There are many hybrids of raspberries crossed with other fruits, for example boysenberry and loganberry are a cross between raspberry and blackberry.

Although at the mention of blackberry, hands are thrown up in shock and horror.

While we are warned not to pick these environmental weeds in the wild due to spraying, with modern breeding, the thornless blackberries are bred to be more compact and suitable for the home garden. There is forensic evidence from archaeological sites that blackberries were cultivated 2500 years ago.

Today with hybridising there are many varieties available. It is reported that more than 90 per cent of the world’s blueberries are grown in its native North America.

The health benefits of blueberries, with their high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, are almost too numerous to mention. Studies also show a cup of blueberries a day enables a person to be 5-6 per cent better in motor-skill tests.

THE welcome recent rain will be hugely beneficial for gardens. One of the most important benefits was washing the dust that inhibits the growth and health of the plant off the leaves.

The same goes for indoor plants. Except for hairy leafed indoor plants such as African violets, gently wipe the tops of leaves with a damp cloth on a regular basis. Move them away from heaters or ducted-heating vents.

In summer, indoor plants may enjoy being on the window sill for more light; in winter, the cold air near windows can kill them.

Jottings…

• Shred leaves with the mower and put them on to garden beds or bag and take to green waste centres at Mugga tip, West Belconnen or Mitchell.
• Take root cuttings of Michaelmas daisy, Japanese windflowers and salvias.
• Include black and red currants in berry plantings.
• Raise pots off the ground with pot feet to stop root rot. Don’t use saucers for outdoor containers.
• The free annual dahlia digging and storage for winter demonstration will be held at the Horticultural Society of Canberra’s Bruce Garden (corner of Battye and Purdie Streets) from 9.30am on Saturday, May 28. Public welcome.

An editing error in last week’s column gave the impression that persimmons were used as a windbreak in outback homesteads. Being deciduous, they would not be suitable. It was in fact Eriobotrya japonica that was used as a windbreak.