How to Grow Mulberry
Mulberry At a Glance
Difficulty
Easy
Category
Berry
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Frost Tolerance
Frost Hardy
Cold Hardiness
Survives to -29°C
Plant Family
Moraceae
Growing Season
Warm Season
Plant Lifecycle
Perennial
How to Start It
★ Recommended for beginners
A young tree of a named variety (one with a known name, sold by a nursery) fruits in about 2 years, and you know what you are getting. Choose a variety known to survive cold winters. Plant it about a month before your last frost, while it is still leafless, at least 4 m from other trees and well away from paths, and water it in deeply.
Mulberries are fast, tough trees that give lots of sweet berries with little care, and most kinds need no second tree to set fruit. Trees grown from seed vary and can take many years to fruit, so start with a named variety or a cutting. The ripe berries stain everything purple, so keep the tree away from patios, paths and where you park.
When To Start
Mulberry needs warmth. Wait until your last frost has passed and the soil has warmed before sowing.
We do not have exact sowing dates for this one yet.
When should you plant Mulberry?
Your planting dates depend on your local climate. Sign up and add your location to unlock personalized dates.
Your Mulberry Planting Window
Start planting
May 15, 2026
Last chance
Sep 10, 2026
Your Mulberry Calendar
Set your location to turn these into exact dates and reminders.
Plant your mulberry tree away from paths and patios
30 days before your last frost
Lightly prune your mulberry while it is still leafless
45 days before your last frost· every year· optional
Shake ripe mulberries onto a sheet under the tree
90 days after your last frost· every year
Water your new mulberry plants well while they settle in. Deep and slow is best.
About 1 days after you plant it
How is your mulberry settling in? Water it deeply once a week while the roots get going.
About 30 days after you plant it
Your mulberry has had time to settle. Spread mulch around the base to keep the soil damp.
About 90 days after you plant it
The Journey Ahead
Mulberry's Lifecycle
Seedling
Mature Plant
Seed Production
Step 1
Prepare Your Space
400 cm
Plant Spacing
500 cm
Row Spacing
Vertical Growing
No.
Succession Planting
No.
Good Companions
Bad Companions
Step 2
Planting & Sprouting
Growing Tips
- 1Plant your mulberry in full sun for the most fruit.
- 2It grows in most soils that drain well, so just mix some compost into the planting hole.
- 3Water deeply once a week for the first 2 summers, then only in long dry spells.
- 4Spread compost under the tree each spring, keeping it a hand's width from the trunk.
- 5Prune only in late winter while the tree is leafless, because it leaks a lot of sap if cut while growing.
- 6Birds love the berries, so cover a small tree with netting or plan to share.
Seedling Phase
Step 3
Growth & Maturity
600 cm
Mature Height
500 cm
Mature Width
Pests to Watch For
Diseases to Watch For
Mature Plant
Step 4
Harvesting
Harvest Window
45 days
When to Pick
Pick (or shake onto a sheet) when berries are fully dark and soft
How to Harvest
- 1Mulberries are ripe when they are fully coloured, soft and come off at the lightest touch.
- 2Lay an old sheet under the tree and gently shake the branches, then gather the berries that fall.
- 3Eat only ripe berries, since unripe fruit and the milky sap can upset your stomach.
- 4Pick every day or two, because the berries ripen over several weeks.
- 5They spoil quickly, so eat them the same day, or freeze them on a tray and pack them into bags.
Step 5
Saving Seeds
Seed Production
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