Blueberries / blueberries: origin, cultivation & Co.

Blueberries (blueberries) are extremely healthy and very popular. Here you will find everything you need to know about the cultivation, care and use of blue berries.

Blueberries (Vaccinium), also called blueberries, have always been an absolute hit in the kitchen and, thanks to their sweet taste and strong color, are popular in desserts. The low-calorie blueberry can be grown in your own garden with a little skill and then delivers high yields for years. While bilberries and blueberries are actually the same plant, the blueberry is a multi-species species. We clarify all questions about blueberries and show you how you can grow the popular berry yourself.

Blueberries / blueberries: origin and characteristics

Blueberries are a genus within the heather family (Ericaceae). Many species are represented worldwide, but especially in the northern hemisphere. In this country you can find the wild blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) only in forest and moor areas. Cultivated blueberries, derived from the American blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) descend. In contrast to the domestic blueberry, the cultivated blueberry can reach a height of up to four meters and provides higher yields.

Buying blueberry / blueberry plants: What to watch out for

If you do decide to purchase one or more blueberry plants for your garden, the first thing to consider is which variety is best for you. The size of the shrub and the time of ripening vary depending on the variety. You can buy blueberry bushes at any major garden center. When buying, however, make sure that you only buy healthy seedlings.

Blueberry / blueberry varieties

The cultivated blueberry varieties were only created in this century through selection from the species found in North America and do not come from the forest blueberries native to Europe. Therefore, they differ in size as well as in aroma and in terms of the color of the pulp. While forest blueberries with their dark flesh do not only like to color the mouth and teeth blue, the flesh of cultivated blueberries is light.

Cultivated blueberry varieties

There are a number of different types of blueberries. In addition to the beginning of flowering and the ripening time, the fruit size can also be an important criterion for choosing a variety. Here is a small selection of the best varieties:

'Bluetta': Very early variety with a short harvest time; medium-sized, slightly frosted berries with a good taste; prone to disease; compact, slow growing plant with mediocre yields

'Duke': Early variety with a short harvest time; frost hardy; large, firm berries with a very good taste; high yields possible

'Chandler': This variety is known for its large berries and has a very long harvest time; sweet and sour taste; Its growth is not rather bushy, as is the case with most varieties, but rather more upright

'Reka': Early variety (ripens in early July); strong blue, frosted fruits with a good aroma; very productive

,Patriot': Medium early variety (ripening in mid-July); very large, firm berries; the fruits are often reddish at the base of the stalk; susceptible to disease

'Bluecrop': Middle school leaving certificate (late July to late August); large, relatively light-colored fruits with a good taste; tends to develop strong new shoots from the rhizome; broad growth

'Elizabeth' / 'Elisabeth': Matures from the end of July; moderately high-yielding variety with very large, firm fruits; mediocre taste; not suitable for cooler locations

'Gold grape': Late variety; vigorous; very large fruits with an aromatic, but slightly sour taste; robust variety; resistant to drought

'Darrow': Very late maturity (end of August / September); very large berries; tasty, aromatic; late-ripening (from around mid-August) variety with very large, firm fruits; extremely good, slightly sour taste; tall

Wild blueberry varieties

Blueberries harvested in the wild are usually smaller than the cultivated blueberries grown in the garden. However, their taste is usually much more intense. For this reason, well-stocked tree nurseries also offer wild blueberries, which are native to Europe. As a rule, however, certain varieties cannot be found. Instead, the forest blueberry is simply used by its botanical name Vaccinium myrtillus acted.

A comprehensive collection of Blueberry varieties and more detailed information on the individual varieties can be found here.

Planting blueberries / blueberries: location and procedure

Blueberries have special demands on their location. In its natural environment, the blueberry grows in light forest and moorland areas with a low pH value. Therefore, choose a location in the garden that is in full sun but still sheltered from the wind. The ideal planting time is in autumn, from October to November, but planting is generally also possible in early spring. Two to three-year-old cuttings with a well-developed root system are best for planting. Dig a planting hole about 60 cm deep and 1 m wide and attach a foil to the sides of the planting hole. Then the hole is filled with special blueberry soil. To keep the soil acidic, you can also apply a layer of mulch made of leaves or bark mulch. Finally, water the plant with sufficient rainwater that is low in lime.

Here we explain in detail how you can use the Planting blueberries should proceed.

Blueberry / blueberry soil

As a bog plant, the bilberry is used to acidic soils. Therefore, the ideal pH of blueberry soil is between 4 and 5. Unfortunately, garden soils are usually not acidic enough for this, so you should always bring in a suitable substrate for new plantings. Rhododendron soil, for example, has a low pH value and is therefore also perfect for growing blueberries. For ecological reasons, however, you should refrain from using peat soil. You can also bring in bark, sawdust or shredded softwood to improve soil conditions.

All important information on the topic Blueberry Earth we have summarized for you here.

Fertilize blueberries / blueberries

Since blueberries prefer acidic soil, you should take extra care not to use calcareous fertilizers. These would increase the pH. Special bilberry fertilizers, which are optimally adapted to the needs of the plant, are available from specialist dealers. But rhododendron fertilizer is also wonderfully suitable for blueberries, as this plant has similar demands on acidic soil. A first application of fertilizer is recommended in spring to encourage the growth of young shoots. You can then fertilize a second time before the fruit starts to develop in June. If you prefer natural fertilizers, you can apply a layer of mulch made of coniferous litter, leaves or pieces of bark, which provides the blueberry with long-term nutrients through gradual decomposition.

In addition, you can work organic materials - such as coniferous litter or chopped softwood - into the soil when you are planting. If necessary, water the plant with low-lime rainwater to ensure sufficient soil moisture. Even more organic to us Plantura organic universal fertilizer with long-term effect is ideal for fertilizing blueberries.

More expert tips on Fertilizing blueberries You will find here.

Cut blueberries / blueberries

Blueberries develop very slowly and therefore only need to be cut every three to four years. The best time to cut blueberries is in the autumn after the harvest (October / November). Make sure, however, that the temperatures are above freezing when cutting. Necessary cutting work due to an infestation with diseases or pests can also be carried out in spring or summer. In the case of very young plants, it also makes sense to remove the flowers in the first few years. In this way the plant can put all its strength into the growth of the shoots.

A detailed guide to the Cutting blueberries can also be found in a special article.

Propagate blueberries / blueberries

Basically, you can propagate blueberries using sinkers or cuttings. When propagating via sinkers, bend shoots close to the ground down and cover them with soil. Only when the shoot has developed enough roots of its own can you separate it from the mother plant. When propagating via cuttings, shoot pieces are cut off from the plant and placed in a suitable substrate so that they develop roots. The propagation of blueberries via seeds is of little importance in practice, if only because of the long development time.

More information about the Propagation of blueberries can be found here.

Pick and harvest blueberries / blueberries

Blueberries can be harvested from the beginning of July to September, depending on the variety. The berries ripen sequentially within a few weeks, so each bush has to be picked several times. Blueberries should only be harvested when they are fully ripe if they can be easily detached from the stem. You should also be very careful when harvesting, as blueberries are extremely sensitive to pressure.

Here we explain in more detail how you can use Picking blueberries best to proceed.

Dry and store blueberries / blueberries

Blueberries only keep refrigerated for about a week. If you want some of your harvest to last longer, you should therefore preserve your blueberries. These can not only be boiled down and frozen wonderfully, but can also be dried very easily. For example, you can gently air dry the blueberries. However, drying in an automatic dehydrator or oven is more time-saving. Depending on the method, the drying process can take a few hours (in the automatic dehydrator), but also several days (if air-dried). Once the moisture has been removed, the dried berries are best stored in jars until ready to use.

More detailed information on Preservation of blueberries can also be found here.

Blueberries not only taste great, they are also very healthy. The local “superfood” is rich in vitamin C, iron, calcium and potassium. The berries also contain antioxidant polyphenols and digestive fiber. Due to the ingredients and the low amount of calories (37 kcal per 100 g of fresh berries) one could quickly assume that from now on it would be best to only eat blueberries. As with many things, of course, it depends on the right amount of active ingredients. While fresh blueberries tend to have a laxative effect, the dried fruits are a tried and tested home remedy for diarrhea due to their high pectin content. You should therefore only consume blueberries in moderation, otherwise you have to expect unpleasant side effects.

A handful of fresh blueberries can be easily processed in dairy products (milk, yogurt, quark) to make shakes and desserts. You can also bake delicious cakes, pies or muffins from fresh or frozen berries. American blueberry muffins, for example, which are also offered in many coffee shops, are particularly popular. Blueberries can also be wonderfully combined with strawberries in sweet desserts (Fragaria), Raspberries (Rubus idaeus) or blackberries (Rubus fruticosus) combine. Dried blueberries can be added to muesli or a tea mix for breakfast.

If you want to keep the blueberries longer, you can also use them to make juice or compote. To make a blueberry jam, use a hand blender to chop half of the selected and washed berries. Then mix the remaining berries with the puree and the same amount of preserving sugar (in a ratio of 1: 1). If desired, a little cinnamon or clove powder can be added. Everything is then boiled for about three minutes, stirring constantly. If necessary, you should also remove some foam. The finished jam is filled into clean jars while still hot and sealed airtight.

If you have all the tips about the Cultivation of blueberries at a glance, take a look here.