Growing blueberries in the garden: secrets of planting in open ground, propagation and care (20 Photos & Videos) + Reviews

The common blueberry belongs to the heather family, and is a shrub up to 50 cm high. The leaves of the plant are used to make tea and fed to livestock, and the berries are a favorite delicacy for many both in winter and summer in the form of jam.

If previously almost no one grew this berry on their personal plots, today blueberries are a very popular crop among our gardeners. From one bush you can collect up to 8 kg of berries per season, but only, of course, under the condition of high-quality care.

Blueberries grow well in cultivation in the middle climate. Even in the north, this berry grows in the wild and bears fruit, enduring very harsh winters.

Blueberries begin to bloom in May. Blueberries are excellent honey plants that will attract many bees to the garden.

Necessary conditions for blueberry growth in the garden

The location for the blueberries should be chosen and prepared ahead of time. If this berry grows in nature under large trees, then you should choose a well-lit place for it on the site. You can plant blueberries in openwork partial shade or a pond, but in this case the bush will give a slightly smaller harvest.

The culture will develop very well in acidic soil. But often in garden plots the soil has an alkaline reaction. Therefore, the soil should be acidified by adding the necessary components. Peat, powdered sulfur, oak leaves and pine needles are used.

The culture requires loose soil. Therefore, if the soil on the site is heavy and clayey, you need to add river sand when digging. When planting is planned for spring, the bed begins to be prepared in the fall. You can also prepare the site in the spring, but at least a month before planting.

Is it possible to plant blueberries on the plot?

You don’t have to go to the forest to pick blueberries; they can be grown in the garden, creating comfortable conditions for them. The culture loves coolness and tolerates winter cold well, but may suffer from early autumn frosts. It takes blueberries a month and a half to enter a dormant state. If the crop is not harvested 50 days before frost, early cold temperatures down to -10 °C can damage the bush. Spring return frosts are not dangerous for blueberries, since they bloom late, in the second half of May.

Blueberry lovers don’t have to go to the forest, because you can enjoy them in your garden

When growing blueberries, keep in mind that they are very sensitive to lack of moisture. During the season it is necessary to keep the soil moist, otherwise the bushes will begin to dry out.

Landing dates and rules

Blueberries are planted both in spring and autumn at the end of October.

Holes measuring approximately 35 cm by 35 cm are dug for the seedlings. The plant is simply taken out of the container with a lump of earth and visited in the hole. In this case, the earthen ball should be loosened a little so that the roots begin to develop faster. The root collar of the seedling should be at soil level.

Planted bushes must be mulched with fresh peat or sawdust. You can also use the leaves of large trees - oak and maple. Mulch will retain moisture in the soil and prevent weeds from germinating.

When planting, you definitely need a lot of components that acidify the soil. Peat is best. If this is not done, the plants will develop much worse.

Pests and diseases

Blueberries have strong immunity, but occasionally the bushes are susceptible to viral infections. Red ring and necrotic spotting, dwarfism, filamentous branches, mosaic - these diseases cannot be treated, so infected plants are burned.

Insects

Fungal infections

Birds

Birds like ripe berries. The plantings are protected with thin nets attached to the frame. Christmas tree glitter rain, which is hung on a stretched rope, helps scare away birds.

Growing blueberry seedlings from seeds

You can also obtain blueberry planting material by sowing seeds. It is necessary to crush very ripe berries in a bowl and add water to the grounds. Pulp and empty seeds will float to the surface. Then the water is drained, and seeds suitable for sowing will remain at the bottom.

The seeds are washed and then dried on paper until they flow.

Containers for sowing blueberries should be wide. They are filled with fine peat mixed with sand. Furrows about 4 mm deep are marked on the substrate, and the seeds are evenly distributed along them. Then the crops are moistened with a spray bottle and sprinkled with a thin layer of soil.

After sowing, the containers are covered with film or covered with glass to create a greenhouse effect. The room should be warm and light, but containers should not be placed in direct sun. After three to four weeks, shoots will appear.

During the growth of seedlings, the glass should be lifted daily for ventilation. Water the seedlings moderately.

When the seedlings rise, the sprouts are poured into separate glasses with a volume of about 500 ml. Next season, blueberry seedlings will grow in separate glasses. Already in the spring it will be possible to plant seedlings in open ground.

The seed method of obtaining seedlings of this crop is very troublesome and time-consuming. Therefore, many gardeners propagate blueberries vegetatively.

Advantages and disadvantages

This crop has many useful properties, which is why many people want to grow it in their summer cottages. It is worth considering them in more detail:

• increased visual acuity;
• treatment of colds;
• improving the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• acceleration of metabolism;
• prevention of rheumatism;
• assistance in the treatment of the gallbladder and liver;
• restoration of the menstrual cycle;
• decreased blood sugar levels;
• strengthening immunity;
• effective fat burning.

However, there are still several negative nuances that also need to be remembered. It is prohibited to eat blueberries in the following cases:

• disruption of the pancreas;
• diagnosis of oxalaturia;
• urolithiasis disease;
• causing constipation if consumed excessively;
• individual intolerance.

Important. If you plan to use blueberries in medicines, it is recommended to consult a doctor. This will allow you to understand how advisable it is to use it and whether there is any risk.

Dividing the bush and propagating by layering

The fastest way to get new plants is to divide a mature bush. In the fall, you need to dig up a bush that is 4 years old. It is divided with a sharp instrument into several sections. There should be at least 5 growth points left on each part. The shoots are pruned by 20 cm, and the new plant is planted in a permanent place.

You can also dig up the side shoots of the bush in the spring and water them all season. The very next season, the young plant can be separated from the mother bush and planted in a new place.

Characteristics of the variety

There are several features of blueberry varieties that gardeners need to remember when growing this crop:

1. The plant prefers infertile but moisture-rich soils. Therefore, it is necessary to provide for timely watering.
2. The bushes are perennial and require periodic thinning to produce larger fruits.
3. The root system is quite branched, so the bushes need to be planted at a distance of about 50 cm from each other.
4. Excellent frost resistance parameters. This is natural, since many varieties are grown in the Far North.

Important. It is necessary to choose the right variety so that it feels good in the summer cottage.

Blueberry care

The crop needs regular and moderate watering - excessive dampness should not be allowed. Periodically, 1 teaspoon of citric acid must be added to 10 liters of water for irrigation to acidify the soil. A layer of mulch, which should be updated regularly, will help keep the soil moist at all times.

An important condition for fruiting is the application of fertilizers for blueberries. You can use complex mineral supplements. Superphosphate and ammonium are suitable.

It is important to take into account that the culture does not tolerate decaying organic matter well. Only once every 3 years, 4 kg of compost per square plot is applied to the blueberries.

Blueberries must be pruned. The best time for the procedure is early spring. It is important to have time to prune the bushes before flowering.

Starting at the age of 3 years, all frozen and weak shoots begin to be cut off. Blueberries produce young shoots very well, which should also be thinned out. Up to 9 strong branches and shoots are left on each bush.

Description of common and wild blueberries

According to botanical information, all blueberries that are not artificially bred are considered wild. It grows in large quantities in forests, near coniferous trees. Cultivated berries include varietal plants produced through selective breeding. Of the visible differences, only the amount of yield can be distinguished, which is undoubtedly greater in cultivated plants. As well as the height of the shoots, which in a cultivated area can reach 2–2.5 m in height.

Harvesting

Blueberries begin to ripen as early as June. Fruiting continues until mid-September. Ripe berries are purple or black. The berries are not picked, but carefully twisted from the branches.

Blueberries are used to make jam, preserve them in the form of compotes, compotes, etc. If blueberries are picked during the cold season, they can be kept fresh in the refrigerator for up to 6 weeks.

Blueberries can be called an unpretentious crop, which an increasing number of gardeners are beginning to grow in their garden plots.

What do garden blueberries look like?

It is necessary to characterize the appearance of garden blueberries in order to distinguish them from their closest relative, the blueberry:

1. Small bush. Its height varies depending on the variety, but does not exceed 50 cm.
2. All branches extend from the root system at an acute angle, like those of splayed-branched plants.
3. The leaves are slightly drooping and leathery. Painted bright green. They have an oval shape with finely needle-shaped edges. They can be about 1.5 cm wide and 2.5 cm long.
4. Flowering period is May. The buds are white, with a greenish tint. These are five-toothed glasses from 5 to 7 cm in length. To protect the pollen, the buds point downwards.
5. From July to September flowering stops and berries are set. They are spherical in shape and dark blue in color. Reach 10 mm.
6. The flesh of the berries is dark purple and sweet. It contains a large number of small seeds.

Reference. Today there are a large number of varieties of this crop. The difference lies in the height of the bush and the yield. However, the berry itself is approximately the same size. It is black in color, but sometimes has a bluish tint. This means that wax has appeared on it. It must be removed before eating the fruit.

There are also tree blueberries, which were bred by breeders. It reaches 2 meters in height. The bush itself is quite spreading, but the branches are directed upward.

Fertilizer and fertilizing of crops

Despite frequent recommendations for applying organic fertilizers, this should not be done. Blueberries do not respond well to feeding with manure or bird droppings. It can get sick, develop worse, produce a poor harvest, or even die. Therefore, if you add fertilizer to the soil, then only mineral fertilizer. Dosage – no more than 1 tbsp. per 1 sq. m.

There is no need to fertilize blueberries

Every 2-3 years, the soil under blueberry plantings needs to be updated. To do this, add peat mixed with sand. You can feed the bushes with a mixture of sawdust, dry grass, and leaves.

Attention! The plant does not tolerate fertilizers containing chlorine.

Application in landscape design

Quite often, blueberries are used for decorative purposes. Most often, this plant is used to decorate shady places in the garden. The bushes look harmonious with coniferous plants. Sometimes several blueberry bushes are planted in flower beds. Berries of a rich shade complement other plants favorably.

Sources:

• https://mirsadovodnik.ru/plodovyj-sad/kak-vyrastit-cherniku-v-sadu/
• https://MoeFermerstvo.ru/yagody/kak-rastet-chernika
• https://tytdacha.ru/sad-i-ogorod/yagodnye-kustarniki/posadka-i-uhod-za-sadovoj-chernikoj/
• https://7dach.ru/MaSogetsu/chernika-posadka-vyraschivanie-i-uhod-3589.html
• https://ksportal.ru/986-chernika-posadka-vyrashchivanie-i-uhod.html
• https://7ogorod.ru/plodovye-kusty/cernika-sadovaa.html
• https://floristics.info/ru/stati/sad/3878-chernika-svojstva-i-protivopokazaniya-posadka-i-ukhod.html

Short description

Blueberry (common, myrtle-leaved) is a shrub with strong branching of small height - no more than a few decimeters (0.1-0.5 m). Belongs to the Vereskov family.

The leaves are small, pointed at the top.
Flowering occurs in May, the flowers are white with a green tint. The root system is developed, characterized by creeping growth to the sides, which subsequently produces many young shoots. Useful information: Differences between blueberries and blueberries
The ripening time of fruits - berries - depends on the climatic zone where the crop grows. In the regions of the country, this period begins in July and lasts until September. The berries are dark blue or black. A waxy coating may form, which is easily washed off with water. The pulp is purple, the number of seeds can reach 40 pieces.

Natural habitats are coniferous, mixed forests or swamps in the northern part of Asia and Europe.

A pine forest heavily overgrown with shrubs is called a blueberry pine forest. This growth in the neighborhood is explained by the general preferences of crops - high groundwater levels and acidic soil.

Watering and care

The plant actively responds to regular, but not abundant watering; it requires special attention on hot, sultry days. To prevent water stagnation, it is necessary to monitor the top layer of soil. It is optimal if it is wet 15-20 cm deep.

Caring for it involves timely weeding and removing weeds, but this must be done carefully so as not to expose the horse system.

Experienced gardeners do not recommend deep and frequent loosening of the soil, as this can lead to excessive drying and have a detrimental effect on the roots of the plant, which grow superficially.

Priming

The natural “native” soil for wild blueberries is sandy loam soil with high looseness, breathability, abundantly including fallen pine needles and leaves. It never dries out, and constant moisture is provided by a large layer of natural mulch and shade from trees.

Wetlands and proximity to groundwater are also considered suitable options. Soil acidity pH in the range of 3.5-4.5 is considered optimal for the crop.

Preliminary preparation of the bed should be carried out 21 days before the planned work:

1. Dig up the designated area on the bayonet of the shovel.
2. Loosen and level the surface with a rake.

Berry propagation

There are several ways to grow blueberries. Generative - does not guarantee the preservation of varietal qualities and is used only for the propagation of standard species. Vegetative techniques are more productive.

Seeds

If a gardener decides to resort to this technique, he first needs to obtain seed material. To do this, knead the ripened fruits, mix the pulp with a large volume of water. After mixing, substandard specimens and the remains of berries rise to the surface, which are drained along with water. The procedure is repeated until the water becomes clear.

As a result, at the bottom of the dish there will be seed material suitable for sowing. After drying a little so that no liquid remains, they are sown in pots or boxes filled with peat. The seedlings will emerge in a few weeks. For the winter, it is better to move the container with seedlings to a bright room in which the temperature is maintained within 5-10 ºС. In the spring, berry plants are picked and grown. Seedlings are transferred to a permanent growing area only for the next season.

Cuttings

To implement this propagation technique, it is necessary that adult blueberries are already growing in the garden. The optimal time for preparing planting material is the end of summer, since in order to be planted in the garden, plants must take root and become stronger, having spent the winter in the soil. Progress:

1. The most powerful specimens of blueberries with branched shoots are selected from the garden.
2. Using a knife or sharp pruning shears, cut off strong and healthy 15 cm shoots into cuttings.
3. In order for the planting material to take root quickly, the pieces are dipped for a couple of hours in a container with a growth stimulator.
4. Seedling containers are filled with peat, watered well, and the sections are buried.
5. Plantings are covered with film or glass to create a greenhouse effect.
6. Next, the cover is removed regularly to ventilate the plantings and water them.
7. After rooting, which is noted after 2 months, the film is removed.

Specimens with developed roots are planted on the site so that they overwinter under the snow. This will strengthen the blueberries and allow them to quickly grow immediately after the snow cover melts.

Dividing the bush

You can carry out the procedure with overgrown blueberry plants in the fall. You need to carefully remove the strong bush and lightly shake the roots. Next, using a knife or well-sharpened scissors, divide the parent specimen into plots so that each one contains at least five healthy dormant growth buds. Young specimens are planted in a previously prepared area.

If planted correctly, caring for blueberries is not as labor-intensive as it might seem at first glance. The main thing is compliance with agricultural cultivation techniques.

Planting shrubs in the country

Since many gardeners are interested in growing this crop on their site, it is worth taking a closer look at how to properly grow and care for blueberries.

Preparing seedlings

It is necessary to use only high-quality and healthy seedlings that can take root. Therefore, you need to consider the following when purchasing them:

• you need to purchase only from trusted suppliers;
• the bush must be healthy, without visible signs of rot;
• the root system must be sufficiently developed;
• Preference should be given to two-year-old shoots.

Important. Blueberry roots require special care after they are pulled out of the ground. They still need to be kept damp, so many people use a rag soaked in water. In this case, the plant will be able to survive transportation normally.

Selection of location and soil

When growing blueberries in your summer cottage, you need to consider several nuances:

• the soil must be acidic, with a pH level of 3.8–5, so the soil removed from the pit must be mixed with peat in a 2:1 ratio (sulfur powder can also be added);
• you need to choose a sunny area, preferably on the south side;
• protection from winds is needed, cold air should not stagnate;
• the soil should be quite moist, so the ideal places for planting are those where there is groundwater at a depth of about 70 cm;
• a year before planting, you need to enrich the soil and stabilize it.

These are the basic requirements to keep in mind. Otherwise, the plant will die and will not be able to bear fruit.

When is the best time to plant?

Planting time directly depends on the climate in a particular region. Several factors need to be considered:

1. In mild subtropical climates, planting takes place in late summer or autumn.
2. In temperate climates, it is recommended to plant the crop in late spring, since it is quite difficult to predict the onset of winter.
3. It is necessary that the seedlings have time to acclimatize before the onset of the first frost.

Reference. It is recommended to plant the bushes so that there are still 3-5 weeks left before the cold weather. This time is necessary for acclimatization. Otherwise, the bush will not have time to prepare for winter and will die when the first frost occurs.

How to plant correctly in the garden?

There are no special requirements for planting blueberries. Everything happens as follows:

1. A year before planting, the soil is stabilized and enriched with vitamins and minerals.
2. When planting several bushes at once, you need to leave a distance of about 1.5 meters. Therefore, holes are dug with this in mind. The distance between rows should be about three meters.
3. The size of the hole should be about 60 cm. It is prepared in advance, 3–4 weeks before planting.
4. The drainage layer should be about 10 cm.
5. Planting a bush in the ground.
6. Carrying out watering. The water must be acidified. To do this, add citric acid (4 grams) or apple cider vinegar (100 ml) per 10 liters of water.

Important. It is prohibited to grow blueberries near fruit trees or other crops that are fertilized with organic fertilizers.

Garden and forest - should not be confused

When talking about planting blueberries in the garden, we are talking exclusively about garden varieties. In no case should you confuse them with forest ones, and try to plant the latter in the garden by bringing them from the forest. Despite the same name, these are completely different berries. They are not related at all. Wild blueberries often grow in Moscow and the Moscow region, but garden varieties came to us from North America and were grown by selecting the American Blueberry.

You can purchase garden blueberry seedlings in an assortment of varieties in nurseries across the country.

Growing conditions

To grow Blueberries, acidic soil on which vegetable crops have not previously grown is ideal. Also, such soils are perfect for growing Cranberries or Blueberries. Blueberries do not like direct sunlight, so places in the shade of trees, near a fence or next to buildings are great. Due to its lack of cultivation, the shrub is planted at some distance from vegetable and flower beds, otherwise you risk reducing their yield due to infection.

A rich harvest is possible only from bushes growing on acidic soils

The sweetest and most delicious varieties

Garden blueberry bushes grow to different heights. There are several popular varieties:

• tall - Northblue, Weymouth, Patriot, Toro. Branches growing to a height of up to 2 meters are periodically pruned;
• medium-growing varieties - Herbert, Jersey, Ivanhoe, Nelson, Elizabeth. The bushes grow to a height of 0.9-1.5 m;
• ordinary low-growing grows no higher than 50 cm. Popular varieties are Erliblue, Sunrise, Bluecrop.

It is also necessary to take into account the ripening period of the crop when selecting varieties of bush berries (early ripening and late ripening). Chandler blueberries deserve special attention; their sweet, ripe berries take a month and a half to pick.