Mara Des Bois

All 100 of my roots took hold and grew to produce fruit. I planted them in a neutral Ph soil enriched with composted green matter (leaves, twigs, etc.) on a bed of green manure (wood chips mostly and plant debris) under-girded by a layer of nasty, urban, heavy clay soil. My garden is in zone 5b. I prune runners--they want to run!--and pinched off flowers until early July. I watered and fertilized as per instructions in Nourse's "Planting and Success Guide." As of the end of July 2021, the production of fruits has been modest but the profusion of flowers and green fruits suggest the August harvest will be quite good. The fruits range in size from small to medium-large. Texture is not firm but firm enough for easy picking. The flavor, fragrance, and color are as advertised. They make for a fabulous photograph! Thus far my wife and I have been eating the fruits directly. I would be grateful to other Mara des Bois gardeners to comment on how they consume their harvest (in jams, pies, smoothies) and how well the fruits thaw after being frozen.

Norman L
Home Grower
Zone 5
07/27/2021

I have received these plants late April in Columbus, OH. Planted them immediately in raised beds. They looked puny, barely 2 inches each, 25 bare roots. Bare means bare. A few days after planting them and watering them, a big frost WITH serious snowing came and lasted 3 days. To my everlasting surprise, a week later after the snow melt, 23 out of the 25 roots I received had new green leaves. I am flabbergasted. The strawberry plants look very healthy and vigorous. I don't know how they will turn out, but I will definitely order from these folks again. Remarkable!

Lily W
Home Grower
Zone 6
05/10/2021

Mara Des Bois is a premium-quality berry regarding the flavor and fragrance - more like a wild berry. It yields fairly well but the quality is what you will like the most. We have 25 plants and always get more than enough for cereal each morning. The birds don't notice them as they started bearing after the wild berry season - a real plus!

Dave
Home Grower
Zone 4
05/06/2021

After years of being disappointed by beautiful but BLAND strawberries whenever I purchased them, I decided to try growing my own. This variety's description and reviews intrigued me, so I ordered a bundle of 25. Received within 2 days of them being shipped. Healthy, vigorous bare root stock (actually got a bonus one :D) were promptly planted. Less than 24 hours later, leafing out has begun! Anticipating delicious berries already!

S.Jones
Home Grower
Zone 6
04/30/2021

Plants grew vigorous and put out alot of runners. Unfortunately the berries were pretty sour. I believe given a different type of Summer here in Pennsylvania maybe would have made a difference? We tore the bed out and replaced with June bearers. We had alot of rain....but the raspberries loved it.

Dave C
Home Grower
Zone 6
01/04/2021

Have just completed our first growing season with the Mara and are very pleased. Plants were steady producers and vigorous runners. Berries have wonderful taste and freeze very well. Hoping for a good overwinter and more production next year. As usual Nourse plants are your best chance at success. We have their asparagus, blue berries, strawberries and raspberries and enjoy them all. Thanks Nourse. (Mn grower)

Paul Maertens
Home Grower
Zone 3
11/17/2020