Blueberries and their beneficial properties

It's no secret that blueberries are one of the berries with the most beneficial properties for our body in nature. Over time, people began to make jam, compotes, jelly and juice from it. Thanks to its aroma, taste and the benefits it brings, blueberries have become a very popular berry. There are very few berries in nature that can compete with it in terms of usefulness.

Blueberries and their care

So what is blueberry care? First, you need to take care of the landing site and prepare properly.

First, choose a sunny location with well-drained soil that is free of weeds. It is best if you place the blueberry seedlings in an area that has been irrigated because the best results will only be achieved by maintaining sufficient soil moisture in the root zone during the growing season.

In places where the soil is not suitable for blueberries, or is not well drained, small flower beds are an excellent option. Blueberries also grow well in patio containers, which is a solution for those who want to grow this berry in a small area or if you have no area at all, just a small terrace.

You should remember that blueberries prefer acidic soils. However, by including peat moss in your planting medium, you can successfully grow blueberries in almost any soil. To plant blueberries, you need to make a landing pad that will be approximately 75 centimeters in diameter and 30 cm in depth. Next, you need to take a small amount of soil and mix it with an equal amount of moistened moss. Planting in flowerbeds is done using peat moss, cedar bark or compost. All this is mixed in equal proportions.

When planting, do not forget about the distance between the seedlings. When planting a hedge, the distance should be at least 60 cm, and with a more individual planting - 180 cm. Also, when planting in rows, the distance between them should be at least 240 cm, or 300 cm, depending on your equipment.

Blueberries also need mulching. It is made with compost, sawdust or grass clippings at a depth of 60-120 cm above the roots in order to maintain soil moisture, prevent weeds and add essential organic nutrients to the soil. This process should be repeated every two years.

You should also remember that cedar and sequoia bark or sawdust are not suitable for mulching blueberries.

Pruning blueberries — one of the important processes when caring for this crop. It will be better if the bush is already formed before it begins to bear fruit. In the future, blueberries will need to be pruned every year so that the berries always remain as healthy and tasty.

Don't forget about feeding blueberries. After planting, blueberries need to be fertilized with similar compounds as rhododendron or azalea. You also need to remember to be careful when fertilizing and not to apply too much, since blueberries are very sensitive. To be completely sure, you should contact experts in this field and take into account all the recommendations.

The most ideal time for fertilization is early spring and late spring. But be vigilant and always water your blueberries thoroughly after fertilizing. Especially when using organic fertilizers.

Blueberry — decorative varieties

Blueberries can also serve as a good decoration for your site, since this crop has enough of its own decorative varieties. Here are some of them:

• Variety “Patriot” — This blueberry variety is one of the most popular. The height of the bushes is approximately 150 cm. Growth is quite fast. Externally, the variety stands out for its slightly raised branches. The fruits of this variety have a good taste and smell, are quite elastic and dense, and are large in size. The fruits ripen from about the beginning of July to mid-August. This variety is capable of producing a large amount of harvest, up to 6 kilograms per bush. The variety tolerates winter and most diseases very well.
• Variety “Duke” — this variety is highly valued by many gardeners. The height of the bush is approximately 160 – 170 cm. It produces a large number of berries during the harvest period. The berries ripen evenly and quickly, so be patient when harvesting. The fruits are very tasty, slightly sour. The variety tolerates frost well, but does not tolerate high humidity.
• Chandler variety — height of bushes of this variety — approximately 150 cm, according to the shape — erect, branched and erect. The berries are quite large, dense, and have a good yield. It ripens in August and until the beginning of October.

Blueberry — winter-hardy varieties

Blueberries are also unique in their winter hardiness, and not all varieties meet this parameter, but there are many of them. Some of them:

• Variety “Elizabeth” — fast growing variety. It has a height of 170 cm and an upright bush shape. A distinctive feature of strong resistance to frost is the red color of the bush. The variety grows well in soils with an average concentration of peat. It bears fruit very well, but for a long period. The berries ripen around August. The yield is high - 5 kilograms per bush. The berry is large and strong, has a small scar, tastes sweet and has a pleasant smell. It is believed that this variety is the most delicious of all blueberry varieties.
• Variety “Bluecrop” — This variety has a fairly high growth rate. The bushes are moderately spreading, their height is 150–160 cm. It produces a lot of berries, 8 kg per bush. The variety requires proper attention and care, primarily pruning, otherwise the bush will produce only small berries. The berries are large, strong, have a small scar and a pleasant taste.
• Rancocas variety — This variety has very strong and tall bushes, reaching 170 cm in height. The fruits ripen around mid-August. The average yield is 5 kg per bush. The berries have a pleasant, sweet taste. The variety is one of the most resistant to cold and disease. However, it requires you to constantly trim the lightening type.
• Bluejay variety — a variety that came to us from North America. Forms large brushes. Ripens early. It produces a lot of fruit during the harvest period, but is not as frost-resistant as other varieties. Has good regeneration of all shoots. The fruits are large and have a pleasant taste.
• Hardiblu variety — This variety ripens quite late. The process begins at the end of July and ends at the end of August. The bush reaches a height of 200 cm, has erect, strong branches. The fruits are medium in size, dark in color, and have a pleasant, sweet taste. It produces a lot of berries - 6 kilograms per bush. Resists frost well.

Where to buy blueberries?

After you have decided on the planting location and variety, you will ask: “Where can I buy blueberries?” We recommend purchasing blueberry seedlings only from specialized nurseries. This way you will protect yourself from counterfeits, as well as from the risk of buying infected plants. Always remember that stores, and especially markets, are places with an increased risk of purchasing low-quality plants.