They are reminiscent of the Scandinavian autumn and enrich the diet of berry lovers. Blueberries are real vitamin bombs that can be cultivated in the garden. However, the conditions should be right for the shrubs to produce a rich harvest.
Blueberries are best planted in the fall
location and soil
Natural habitats include heathlands, forests and bogs. In contrast to wild forms, garden blueberries prefer a wind-protected place in full sun. This promotes the development of the flowers and ensures optimal ripening of the blueberries. The fruit trees take care of calcareous soils. They thrive on a substrate with a low pH between 4.0 and 5.0 and need sufficient moisture, whereby the roots do not tolerate waterlogging.
- Place bark, needles or sawdust in the planting hole
- improve loamy soils with a mixture of sand and leaf compost
- alternatively use peat-free rhododendron soil
time
Between October and November there are optimal conditions for the root formation of the blueberries. The fruit bushes have enough time until next spring to get used to the location. If you missed the time, you can also place the plants in the bed from March to April. In order for them to invest all their energy in developing the roots, you should remove all flowers.
plant shrubs
Almost all cultivated blueberries are self-pollinating. Nevertheless, you should put at least two varieties in the garden to increase the crop yield. The American breeds 'Berkeley' and 'Bluecrop' have proven to be optimal. You can also choose German varieties such as 'Ama' or 'Heerma' as plant neighbors.
method
Dig a hole 80 centimeters wide and 40 centimeters deep and fill it up to a hand’s breadth below the surface with suitable soil for blueberries. Plant the root ball deep enough in the substrate to leave five centimeters visible. Scatter pine branches or bark mulch around the shrub. Cover the base of the trunk with a four to six inch layer of mulch and water the shrub with rainwater.
tips
Blueberries prefer humus rich soil. Mature compost is similar to humus and has a beneficial effect on the harvest.