If you want to successfully plant an elderberry bush, you should pay attention to a few essential specifications. Follow our instructions with practical explanations to pave the way for your elder tree to grow vigorously right from the start.

When is it time to plant an elderberry bush?

You can make a note of two dates in the planting plan for growing elderberry. The wild fruit tree accepts a day in March/April just as easily as in September/October.

Which location does an elderberry bush prefer?

The native wood used the power of evolution to adapt flexibly to a wide variety of site conditions. In particular, the plant favors a place along the forest or in sheltered clearings. If you plant an elderberry bush in your own green realm, it will love these light and soil conditions:

  • sunny to semi-shady position
  • humic soil, rich in nutrients
  • well drained, fresh and moist
  • preferably loamy-sandy, with a slight lime content

What is particularly important when growing from seed?

An elderberry bush produces seeds that are found in the pulp of berries. Thus, they are already provided with a germ inhibition by nature. In addition, they are cold germs. The seed must therefore first be subjected to pre-treatment and stratification in order to get it ready to germinate.

This is achieved by putting it through a simulated winter in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator over a period of 6-8 weeks. This is followed by sowing on the partially shaded, warm window sill according to the classic pattern.

What are the correct steps for planting?

The better the soil is prepared at the chosen location, the more happily the elder tree will spread its roots here. While the still potted young plant is soaked in water in a container, the focus is on optimizing the soil before actually planting. Here's how to do it:

  • loosen the soil deeply, weed and clean from roots
  • Work in mature compost with horn shavings (32.93€) on the surface
  • dig a planting pit twice the size of the root ball

Now pot the young elderberry bush and pull the root ball apart a little with both hands. Placed in the middle, surround the plant with substrate and then water generously.

Which planting distance should be considered?

Since an elder tree is one of the flat-rooted trees, a distance of 200-300 centimeters should be maintained from walls and paved surfaces. If you plant an elderberry bush in groups, a planting distance of 100 centimeters is ideal.

How is an elderberry bush propagated?

The propagation of elderberry is very easy with cuttings in summer or sticks in winter. Compared to sowing, this form of propagation is much easier to handle.

tips and tricks

When harvest time begins in August, the berries do not all ripen at the same time. Only harvest those umbels that are predominantly covered with fully ripe elderberries. They pick out individual unripe fruits because they do not lose their poisonous content even after cooking.

GTH

Category:

Vegetable garden