Freezing Blackberries for Later Use
Antioxidant-rich blackberries are not only easy to grow in a home garden or backyard, but they are also a good choice for planting because of the benefits of picking, storing, and freezing blackberries. Since blackberries are high in fatty acids and vitamin A, growing, picking, and freezing them personally can ensure more nutritionally rich berries.
Growing and planting blackberries should be done in a mostly sunny area that is free of weeds and well-drained. Plant the plants in rows and fertilize the soil. After the first year, the plants should be allowed to bloom. The fruit will be ready to harvest between July and November. When picking the berries, be sure they are fully mature. Ripened blackberries are fully black, not red or purple like the young berries. Look carefully into the plant – don’t miss the hidden berries, which often mature before those on the outside. Keep the picked berries out of direct sunlight, and cool them as soon as possible. They will stay fresh for up to a week, but freezing them properly can yield fresh berries for six months rather than a week.
Berries destined for the freezer should not be washed as they are more likely to soften and spoil. Pre-freeze the berries individually by spreading them in one layer on a flat cookie sheet. Leave them in the freezer for a few hours. Afterwards, move the frozen berries to a freezer bag and label it with the date. Voila! Fresh berries at any time during the year.
Reference: http://www.pickyourown.org/blackberries.htm
