| BlueBerries - are high in antioxidants, low in | | | | on growing many plants, space rows about 3m or |
| calories and sodium, contains no cholesterol and is | | | | 10 feet apart. |
| high in fibre, folic acid, carotenoids, as well as | | | | During the last month of spring they produce red |
| vitamins C ( about 25mg/100g), A and B. A major | | | | to white bell-shaped flowers. The large blue |
| component of the fibre is pectin, which is known | | | | berries ripen from the middle of the first month |
| for its ability to lower blood cholesterol. The juice | | | | of summer through til the end of the first month |
| from fresh blueberries also contains a compound | | | | of autumn / fall. |
| that inhibits bacteria from anchoring to the | | | | They begin to produce fruit in the third season, |
| bladder, helping prevent urinary tract infections. | | | | but may not become fully productive for about |
| Blueberries have a strong, sweet flavour and are | | | | six years. Flower buds are produced on tips and |
| quite easy to prepare and can be eaten fresh | | | | along the second-year-old shoots. |
| (raw) or used to make jellies, pies, preserves, | | | | You will need to protect the fruit from birds as it |
| jams, pastries or juice. Freezing does not reduce | | | | is very attractive to them. Bird netting can be |
| their value. | | | | very difficult to remove, so I suggest you make |
| The cultivated blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) | | | | a frame-work of poly tubing or similar before |
| would make a great plant for home gardeners as | | | | using netting. |
| it requires little space, but as it is a woodland plant | | | | Feed your blueberry plants only in autumn / fall |
| it needs highly acidic soil conditions to grow well. | | | | with mature compost and lightly work it in to the |
| You will need to prepare the growing area well in | | | | soil, covering with a thick layer of mulch, |
| advance to make sure it is at a pH of between 4 | | | | remembering to keep mulch about 10cm / |
| - 5. To ensure healthy growth, you will need to | | | | 4inches from the base of the plant. |
| maintain this pH throughout the life of the plant. | | | | You will not need to prune your blueberry plants |
| It prefers to be grown in full sunlight, in | | | | until around the fifth year of growth. Remove any |
| humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil. Blueberry | | | | flowers that may appear in the first season and |
| plants are fully to marginally frost-hardy, some | | | | second years growth after planting to encourage |
| varieties coping with temperatures as low as | | | | vigorous growth. |
| minus 25°C (minus 13°F). They need | | | | From the fifth season onwards, during their |
| cool winters and low summer humidity or mildew | | | | dormant time in autumn / fall, remove the oldest |
| may be a problem. | | | | shoots nearest the ground as well as any dead or |
| Blueberry plants love organic matter and a thick | | | | weak branches and thin, terminal wood with |
| mulch mixture of grass cuttings, dead leaves (not | | | | undersized buds. Prune any inward-facing branches |
| beech or red maple), straw or conifer needles are | | | | to allow more light to the centre of the plant. |
| suitable. | | | | Blueberry bushes have quite shallow root systems |
| Blueberry plants grow as spreading bushes, up to | | | | so are very sensitive to water fluctuations. They |
| 1.5m /60inches tall. Some varieties have red | | | | will need 2-5cm / 1 - 2 inches of water per week. |
| foliage in autumn / fall. | | | | In really dry conditions, additional watering is crucial |
| The best time of year to plant into your garden | | | | to obtain good yields of high quality fruit. But it is |
| is during autumn (fall) and winter while the plant is | | | | unnecessary to apply water in autumn / fall or |
| fully dormant. | | | | winter unless soil it is very dry. It is always |
| Make the planting hole about 50cm / 20inches | | | | preferable to use rain water. |
| wide and deep. Fill it with compost or a mixture of | | | | You can purchase varieties that are early season |
| peat and soil. Plant about 1cm / ½ inch | | | | fruiters, medium through to late season |
| deeper than it was in the pot or bag. | | | | producers. Choose varieties that grow best in |
| Blueberries are self-pollinating, but for heavier | | | | your area. Propagation is by layering. Good luck in |
| cropping, grow two or more cultivars side by side. | | | | growing this wonderful, health inspiring plant! |
| Set plants about 1.5m / 5feet apart. If you plan | | | | |