Mulberry Growing Guide

Morus alba, Morus rubra, Morus nigra and many Morus hybrids

Mulberry

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Moist, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH.

Position

Full sun to part shade.

Frost tolerant

Most mulberries are extremely cold hardy, tolerating winter temperatures to -34°C (-30°F). Mulberries require winter chilling, so they do not grow well in hot climates.

Feeding

Feed in spring by spreading a balanced organic fertiliser over the root zone of the plant.

Spacing

Single Plants: 4.50m (14' 9") each way (minimum)
Rows: 4.50m (14' 9") with 4.50m (14' 9") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Mulberry seedlings can take 10 years to start bearing fruit, but grafted plants of superior cultivars start producing in less than half that time. Set out dormant bare rooted plants during winter. Container-grown plants can be transplanted from spring until early summer, but may shed some leaves if set out under stressful conditions. Water young plants regularly, and cover the root zone with an organic mulch to keep the soil moist at all times. Mulberries need regular water their first season after planting and become more drought tolerant after they are well rooted. These small trees can be planted alone or in pairs. Most mulberries are self-fertile, but pollination improves when more than one tree is grown (mulberries are wind pollinated). In home landscapes, trees are best kept pruned to about 6 m (20 feet) to keep fruiting branches within easy reach. Growing in containers is not recommended. Young mulberry plants can be held in pots for year but should be planted in the ground as soon as possible.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

The vigorous and adaptable white mulberry (M. alba) has been extensively crossed with red (M. rubra) and black (M.nigra) mulberries to produce heavy-bearing cultivated varieties like ‘Illinois Everbearing’ and ‘Dwarf Everbearing’. Red mulberry is native to eastern North America and makes a valuable wildlife tree, supporting more than 30 species of berry-eating birds. Unlike most fruit trees, which are pollinated by insects, mulberries are pollinated by wind, which has resulted in extensive crossing of species. Avoid planting mulberries near entryways or parking areas, because dropped fruits can cause messy stains. Mulberries can be pruned when they are dormant, though they tend to bleed when cut. Top back trees when they reach the height you want, and they will respond by growing stronger lateral branches.

Harvesting

When you see a few berries falling from the tree, spread a sheet under the branches and shake them. Ripe mulberries will fall to the ground. Pick fruits from small plants by hand when they turn dull and lose their shiny sheen.

Troubleshooting

Livestock and deer sometimes eat mulberry foliage, so protect newly planted trees with a wire fence. Mulberries can be infected by blights and canker diseases, so watch for problems and promptly prune away dead or diseased branches. In Australia fruit fly are a pest of mulberries, make sure to take appropriate control measures in areas where they are present. It is important to dispose of any infected fruit and fruit has fallen to the ground by placing them in a sealed plastic bag in the sun for at least 7 days to kill the eggs and larvae. Do not compost fruit as this will lead to the fruit fly completing their life cycle and lead to the problem recurring.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Mulberry