Plant beautiful cranberries or blueberries.

  

One of the easiest fruits to grow is also one of the best, both in terms of flavor and health benefits. 

Blueberries are a superfood, full of beneficial disease-fighting elements in every millimeter of their blue skin.

   There are three types of blueberry plants: low-growing shrubs, high-bush varieties, and rabbit-eye blueberries, which are bred for success in southern locations.

   Since blueberries are not self-pollinating, you will need to plant more than one variety in your garden. 

In fact, with some research, you can choose early, medium, and late-blooming varieties that will produce successively from late spring through late summer.

   Tips for growing blueberries

   Blueberry blooms

 

Plant blueberries in early spring in cooler climates, and late fall in warmer regions.

 Choose a location that gets plenty of sunlight and has good drainage. 

Although blueberries will tolerate some shade, more sun equals more fruit.

   Blueberries like their soil is acidic, so I surround it with organic matter that will decompose and feed the roots. 

Plants like a pH between 3.5 and 5.5, preferring 4.5. Do a soil test if you are not sure, either through your local Cooperative Extension Service or a soil testing kit. 

If the soil is very alkaline, amend it with aluminum sulfate or by adding an acidic organic matter such as decomposed leaves or sphagnum moss.

   Proper air circulation will reduce disease and pest problems.

1- Plant vegetable varieties at a distance of 6 feet so that sunlight reaches all the fruits

2- Feet on unit sufficient for lowbush varieties.

 

3- Take extra care in the first year by watering heavily, and continue until the fruit appears.

At the first sign of fruiting, dress with compost.

   Birds like blueberries, too, and will go after the fruit once it turns sweet. 

Drape netting over the bushes to protect the fruit. 

You can also plant shrubs near your home where more foot traffic may reduce birds.

  

Pruning blueberries:

   A storm of ripe blueberries

   Annual pruning of healthy blueberry bushes ensures consistent yields of fruit from year to year and helps control pests and diseases.

   There will be no need for pruning for the first two years. 

Instead, rub the fruit buds to promote vegetative growth. 

You can also prune the tips of the shoots when the flower buds appear.

   Prune in early spring of the third year - waiting until after harvest can make shrubs vulnerable to injury in the winter cold.

Clip back dead branches without fruit buds to the base of the plant.

Keep a half dozen or so fruit canes per bush.

   Blueberries are bred for resistance to pests and diseases, but if you have a good site and quality plants and you're still running into problems, sanitize the shears. 

Cut back diseased branches immediately and be sure to clear the shears between cuts.