Grow Healthy, Delicious Blueberries
(Page 2 of 3)
March/April 2009
Cindy Murphy
Recent scientific studies have proven the blueberry to have a multitude of healthful benefits. Research shows promise for using blueberry extract to improve balance, coordination and memory, and it may be used as an aid for those with Alzheimer’s disease in the future. Studies report that both wild and cultivated blueberries are found to be effective in inhibiting certain types of prostate cancer. The berries contain compounds that may protect against cardiovascular disease and help to reduce cholesterol.
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In short, eating blueberries can improve vision, clear arteries, protect against disease, strengthen blood vessels, enhance memory, stop urinary tract infections, improve age-related physical and mental ability, and promote weight control. All that packed into a great-tasting little berry!
Blueberries in your backyard
For the Backyard Fruit Enthusiast, growing blueberries can be a rewarding experience with some time and effort. Homemade blueberry preserves, pies and muffins, or a fresh, juicy handful of summertime goodness plucked from the bush await those willing to put in a bit of work. Careful planning when blueberries are planted, and a little maintenance thereafter, pays off for years to come. The bushes are long-lived; they can produce fruit for 20 to 40 years if cared for well. Young bushes will yield fruit, but it may take them between eight and 12 years to reach full production. However, enthusiasm for the backyard grower can quickly turn to frustration if specific growing conditions are not met.
Choosing a proper site is the first step in ensuring your blueberry bushes will both thrive and provide you with berries. Though blueberry bushes will tolerate some shade, a bush in the sun will produce more berries; choose a location with at least six hours of sunlight per day. Avoid low areas and frost pockets; the colder air that accumulates in these locations can injure or kill flower buds and cause stem dieback. Winter temperatures that reach 25 below zero and late spring frosts can be equally damaging to stems and flower buds.
Blueberries prefer either a sandy soil or a sandy loam. Incorporating organic matter, such as peat, to help retain moisture is a good practice. Blueberry bushes have thin, fibrous roots that lie close to the surface, so watering frequently throughout the summer, and especially during dry spells, is a must; growth of the plant and fruit yields are reduced greatly during droughts.
Blueberries require acidic soil; they prefer a pH level between 4.5 and 5.0. For best results, perform a soil test before planting and amend the soil as required. Soil test kits are available at most nurseries; contact your local county extension agency for more complete tests. If soil test results indicate a pH above 5.5, garden sulfur or aluminum sulfate can be added according to package instructions to lower the pH and acidify the soil.