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A handful of elongated blue honeyberries
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When to plant honeyberries in Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland), WA

Plant honeyberry bushes in Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland) Mar 20 – May 15.

Easy Plant potted bushes

Difficulty
Easy
Sun
Full sun; part shade east of the Cascades
Spacing
4 to 5 feet apart
Planting depth
Same depth as in the pot
Frost
Hardy perennial; comes back every year
First harvest
A few berries in year two or three; good crops by year four or five

Why these dates

Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland)'s typical last spring frost is April 27. As a hardy perennial, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about March 20.

Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys. Hot, dry summers and quick spring warm-up. Warm crops go in earlier than west of the Cascades, and irrigation matters more than rain.

How to grow honeyberries in Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland)

  1. Pick a sunny spot with soil that drains well, and mix in an inch or two of compost.
  2. Plant honeyberry bushes Mar 20 – May 15, 4 to 5 feet apart. Same depth as in the pot.
  3. Plant two compatible varieties that bloom together. Mulch well and water through the first two summers; after that they need very little.
  4. Harvest: Wait until the berries are purple-blue inside as well as outside, about a week after they turn blue. Taste first: underripe ones are sour.

Key numbers

Growing notes

What makes the difference in Northwest gardens, in plain language.

The earliest berry of the year

Honeyberries (also called haskap) are a blue-fruited honeysuckle from cold northern regions. The bushes bloom in late winter, and the flowers shrug off frosts that would ruin other fruit. Berries ripen in late spring, a couple of weeks before the first strawberries. They taste like a mix of blueberry and raspberry with a tart edge.

Pollination partners

A single honeyberry bush sets little or no fruit. Plant at least two different varieties that bloom at the same time; nurseries list which ones pair up. Early bees and bumblebees do the pollinating, so a site that gets winter sun helps.

Easy care

Unlike blueberries, honeyberries aren't fussy about soil pH and grow in most garden soils that drain well. Mulch, water through the first two summers and prune lightly in late winter once bushes are a few years old, removing old, weak or crossing stems. Net them before the berries color; birds love them.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland), WA?

Typically April 27. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 10. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Pasco Tri-Cities Airport.

Is it too late to plant honeyberries in Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland)?

The spring planting window runs through May 15. Potted plants can still go in later if you water them faithfully through their first summer.

How long until I can pick honeyberries?

A few berries in year two or three; good crops by year four or five. Wait until the berries are purple-blue inside as well as outside, about a week after they turn blue. Taste first: underripe ones are sour.

What do honeyberries taste like?

Most people describe a mix of blueberry and raspberry, sometimes with a slightly tart finish. Flavor varies by variety and ripeness.

Why don't my honeyberries have fruit?

Usually they're too young or have no compatible partner nearby. Plant two varieties that bloom together, and give them three to five years.

Are honeyberries the same as other honeysuckles?

No. Only blue honeysuckle varieties sold for fruit are edible. Many ornamental honeysuckles have berries that should not be eaten.

Also plant in Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland) around the same time

Planting dates for honeyberries in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland) · Honeyberries in every city