How Long Does It Take for Elderberries to Grow?

Duration

• Elderberry is started early in spring as soon as the soil is workable. Although the plants produce a small crop after their first year, it'll take up to three years for them to fully mature and produce a harvest of about 12 to 15 pounds each. The berry clusters that appear on the plants can take between five and 15 days to ripen after which they're ready to harvest. This can be anytime from mid-August to mid-September, depending on the variety and your location.

Conditions

• Elderberry can thrive in well-drained soil that's free of weeds and has a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. A soil test early in the planning process can determine which amendments to make to achieve the desired pH. Before starting the plants, incorporate a 2-inch layer of compost into the soil to promote drainage. Space the plants about 6 to 10 feet apart and set them at the same depth they were growing in the nursery container.

Care

• Water the plants immediately after starting them to promote root establishment. Elderberry plants aren't drought tolerant and require regular watering, especially during hot or dry spells. To control weeds, shallowly cultivate the soil and spread a 4-inch layer of bark chips or straw around the plants. This will also help promote soil-moisture retention. Feed each plant yearly in spring with a 10-10-10 fertilizer in the amount of a 1/2 pound for every year of the plant's age, never exceeding 4 pounds.

Considerations

• To keep elderberry plants looking good and to encourage new growth, prune them yearly, starting in their third year of growth. Remove all dead, weak and broken canes in late winter or early spring when the plants are dormant. Always harvest the berries after they've developed their mature color and are fully ripe, because unripe berries are toxic and can trigger mild sickness. Cooking the berries is ideal, because this eliminates the toxins.