While the goji berry as the fruit of the "common wolfberry" has long been used in cooking and for health purposes in Asian countries, it only became a "trend berry" in western industrialized nations after the turn of the millennium. Not least because of the pollutant residues from pesticides found in many imports, the cultivation of the goji berry locally in Germany is becoming an increasingly important issue.

Goji berries also thrive in Germany

Good reasons for cultivation in Germany

There are various reasons for growing goji berries in Germany:

  • better control over the use of crop protection products
  • clean and harmless irrigation water
  • improved ecological balance thanks to short transport routes
  • Possibility of processing fresh berries

In addition, there are basically no reasons that would speak against the widespread cultivation of wolfberry as a fruit. The plants do not make particularly high demands on their respective location and are quite hardy even in exposed locations.

Variety on the menu with home-grown goji berries

Whether the goji berries are actually a so-called "superfood" is a matter of debate. What is certain, however, is that the relatively late harvest time means that the season for freshly consumed soft fruit from controlled cultivation can be extended directly on site. The sour goji berry can also be a taste enrichment if it is used as a flavoring ingredient in sauces for game dishes, as a raisin substitute in cakes or as a vitamin boost in morning muesli.

Ensure healthy and productive plants with site selection and care

When choosing a location and caring for the goji berry, you should always keep in mind that these berry bushes love sunny and warm locations with well-drained soil. So that the plants with the typically arched, long branches can develop well, they should be planted at a sufficient distance from each other and also cut regularly. Good ventilation of the leaves on the branches is an important factor when it comes to preventing powdery mildew infestation.

tips

Since the goji berry tolerates waterlogging in the root area only very poorly, impermeable soils in damp locations should be enriched with appropriate drainage materials and humus-rich, loose soil such as deposited compost.

Category:

Vegetable garden