Harvesting Rose Hips: Timing, Processing, and Best Varieties

Want rose hip seeds for propagation or vitamin C tea? Here's the timeline:

Critical: No Chemicals

Zero fungicides, pesticides, copper. Fertilizer OK.

When to Harvest

• Leave spent blooms on bush — hips develop through summer.
• Pick after first fall frost.
• Orange = underripe. Deep red = overripe (sweet but low vitamin C).
• Target: just-ripe red/orange for max nutrition.

Processing

1. Cut stem, halve hip, scrape out seeds + hairy pith (not edible, irritates).
2. Tedious for small hips — save tiny ones for jelly (no seeding needed).
3. Tea: hip halves steeped. Jelly: 50/50 rose hip/apple juice.

Best Varieties for Hips

Rugosas guaranteed. Jackie Carroll's guide. How-to article.

Birds love leftovers. Win-win.