Fruits
Apples
Apple trees originated in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. They are believed to be one of the oldest trees to be farmed. In Saskatchewan, apple tree breeding started in the 1920s and, as a result, farmers have created trees that can handle Saskatchewan winters, have great fruit quality, and have a longer storage life.
Apples have been grown in Saskatchewan since the 1920s.
Apples grow on trees that can range from 3 to 9 metres (10 to 30 feet), depending on the variety. They range in different colours and sizes, from a small crab apple to a large eating apple. Apples can be harvested by hand picking.
This family is at an apple orchard to pick their own apples.
Apples are high in fibre, carbohydrates, and sugar, and have a good amount of vitamin C and potassium. They can be eaten fresh from the tree or baked into baking, juice, or apple sauce.
Apple farmers harvest apples in Saskatchewan and explain the process of turning apples into juices and ciders.
Haskap
The haskap berry is a type of edible honeysuckle berry and is one of the newest fruits in Canada. They are a perennial crop, meaning they grow back every year. Haskaps grow on small shrubs that get about 1.2 to 1.8 metres (4 to 6 feet) tall. The berries are a dark blue/purple colour and come in a roundish, oval shape.
Birds are the biggest prey to haskap berries because they are ripe before many other fruits. A net with small holes will prevent birds from eating all the haskaps. The fruit can be harvested by shaking the shrub and catching the berries with a big tub or by handpicking them.
Birds like to eat haskap berries so farmers protect the berries by covering them with nets.
Haskap berries have high amounts of vitamin C and A, potassium, and high fibre. They are delicious in pies and jams or eaten fresh from the shrub.
A close-up of oval-shaped, purple/blue haskap berries are shown hanging on a branch.
Raspberries
Raspberries are native to North America, although the raspberries that are now commonly grown are a descendant of the Asian and European raspberry. The berries became popular because they could be used as a red stain for clothing and artwork.
Clothing is being boiled in a pot with raspberries as a fabric dye.
Raspberries are a perennial plant, meaning they come back every year. They grow on a prickly shrub that gets 0.6 to 0.9 metres (2 to 3 feet) tall. The most popular colour of raspberries is red, but they also come in black, yellow, and purple. Raspberries are very soft, so it is important to pick them in a shallow container so they do not get squished.
Raspberries often grow in small bunches on raspberry plants.
Raspberries are high in vitamins, minerals, and fibre. They are tasty eaten fresh or in baking, jams, muffins, and smoothies. The leaves are sometimes used for tea.
Saskatoon Berries
Saskatoon berries were very important for First Nations people and settlers. They used the fruit fresh or mashed, and the wood from the bushes to make arrows and baskets. Today, we use this delicious fruit in jams, teas, pies, or eat them fresh.
Saskatoon berries are used in a variety of baking including this yummy cheesecake.
Saskatoon berries grow on shrubs or small trees that range from 0.9 to 7.9 metres (3 to 26 feet) tall. They are a perennial crop, meaning they will come back every year. Birds will start to eat the fruit as soon as it is ripe, so a net can be used to protect the fruit.
A close-up of Saskatoon berries hanging from a tree is shown.
Saskatoon berries are dark purple in colour and are high in protein, fibre, and antioxidants.
Sea Buckthorn
Sea buckthorn was originally grown in Europe and Asia. It was given to soldiers to boost their immunity and give them strength.
Sea buckthorn berries grow on shrubs that are 1.8 to 3.9 metres (6 to 13 feet) tall and the fruit is bright orange in colour. The shrub is able to grow in Saskatchewan’s cold climate and can grow in poor soil. Harvesting sea buckthorns by hand is not an easy task because there are many thorns around the berries. Because of the thorns, protective gear must be worn during harvest.
Sea buckthorn berries are bright orange and grow on branches with thorns.
Sea buckthorn berries are very nutritious. It has vitamins C, K, and E, and antioxidants. It can be eaten fresh or made into juice, jams, and baked goods.
Sea buckthorns can be made into juice.
Sour Cherries
Dwarf sour cherry breeding started in the 1940s in Saskatchewan. The sour cherry that was produced can handle our cold winters and has a good fruit quality. These cherries have high sugar content.
These sour cherries have been made to survive in Saskatchewan’s cold climate.
Sour cherries grow on trees that are 1.5 to 2.4 metres (5 to 8 feet) tall. The colour of the sour cherry can range from red to dark red. The fruit can be hand harvested or shaken off the tree.
Sour cherries can be eaten fresh from the tree, but are very sour. They are mostly used in baking including pies, cakes, and jams.
People use sour cherries mostly for delicious baking, including pies!
This orchard grows a wide variety of fruits in Saskatchewan.
Strawberries
Strawberries have been grown for thousands of years, being first mentioned in ancient Roman literature. Today, strawberries are still a popular fruit that people enjoy.
Strawberries can be grown as an annual plant (which you have to replant every year) or perennial (where they come back every year). The plant is small and grows low to the ground, and it can also be grown in pots. Strawberries should be picked when they are ripe as they will not ripen any further after they have been taken off the plant.
The red strawberries are ripe and ready to eat. The strawberries that don’t have any colour haven’t ripened yet.
Strawberries contain vitamin C, fibre, and antioxidants. They are delicious to eat fresh, or in baking and jams.
There are lots of ways to eat strawberries, including smoothies.