Blueberries are one of the best berries at the end of summer!
I love them. In pies, in jam, in sauce with meat, they go with everything.
The only concern is that it is a very expensive fruit...
And going to pick them in the wild is not necessarily easy.
Having a constant supply of blueberries is my dream!
It's a great way to add some sweetness (and vitamins and minerals) to your breakfast or your favorite recipe.
So why not grow your own blueberries at home?
This allows you to save money and enjoy these little berries whenever you want!
Here are 6 easy tips to grow your own blueberries and never buy them again! Watch:
Before planting your blueberry trees, do some research to find the right species that will adapt to your climate.
Some tolerate frosts (like Northland or Atlantic), others prefer more temperate climates (like Ivanhoe or Darrow).
If you can, choose 2 different species that will produce staggered fruits.
Thus, you will have it from July to October. In addition, it is better for their pollination.
Soil acidity is very important for growing a blueberry bush. We recommend a soil pH between 4 and 5 .
Not sure how to test the acidity of your soil? Check out our tip here.
If your soil is not acidic enough, bury pine needles in the hole when planting blueberry.
Why ? Because it will naturally increase the acidity of the soil.
If your soil or weather conditions are not ideal, plant the blueberry directly in a pot.
You can bring him everything he needs and take him out or bring him in depending on the temperature.
Blueberries need lots of light to grow quickly.
They also need good light soil, if possible a little sandy.
The best time to plant is in September.
Choose a spot with plenty of sunlight and some shade if possible in the summer so they don't get scorched by the sun.
If you plant several blueberry trees, leave a good meter between each bush so that they have enough nutrients.
If you opt for pot planting, choose a pot with a minimum diameter of 45 cm.
Give them plenty to drink, especially in the dry season.
Once the berries begin to grow on your tree, it is necessary to protect your blueberry bush from predators.
Indeed, insects, birds and lots of hungry little gluttons love to eat blueberries.
To protect your treasure, nothing could be simpler!
Surround your tree with bamboo canes and cover them with food grade netting.
Blueberry trees can produce fruit for 20 years!
To ensure their longevity, it is essential to prune your shrubs every 2 or 3 years.
But be aware that pruned shrubs will not produce blueberries in the year of pruning.
That's why it's best to have several plants to alternate pruning seasons and always have fruit to harvest.
You only have one blueberry tree and you want to grow another one?
Don't worry, it's very easy. You can do this either by cutting the existing foot or by layering it.
You will have a new shrub the following year.
Buds usually appear in early spring.
As for the berries, they are generally ready to be picked from July to October depending on the variety.
When the blueberries turn blue, wait a few more days. Ripe berries will fall into your hands on their own.
And even when there are no more fruits, the blueberry treats you to its beautiful flamboyant red autumn colors.
