Blueberries/Blueberries: Origin, Cultivation & Co.

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

Blueberries (Vaccinium), also known as blueberries, have always been a hit in the kitchen and are popular in desserts thanks to their sweet taste and strong colour. With a little skill, the low-calorie blueberry can also be grown in your own garden and then provides high yields for years. Blueberries and blueberries are actually one and the same plant, but the blueberry consists of several species. We clarify all questions about blueberries and show you how you can grow the popular berry yourself.

Bilberries/blueberries: origin and characteristics

Blueberries are a genus within the heather family (Ericaceae). These are represented worldwide, but especially in the northern hemisphere, with many species. In this country you can find the wild blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) only in forest and moor areas. In turn, cultivated blueberries were cultivated for cultivation, which were derived from the American blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) descended. In contrast to the native blueberry, the cultivated blueberry can reach a height of up to four meters and produces higher yields.

Buying a blueberry/blueberry plant: you need to pay attention to this

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

Bilberry/blueberry varieties

The varieties of cultivated blueberries only emerged in this century through selection from the species found in North America and are not descended from the forest blueberries native to Europe. Therefore, they differ in size as well as in flavor and color of the flesh. While forest blueberries, with their dark flesh, not only tend to stain the mouth and teeth blue, the flesh of cultivated blueberries is light.

Cultivated blueberry varieties

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

'Bluetta': Very early variety with a short harvest time; medium-sized, little frosted berries with good taste; prone to illness; 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': Variety known for its large berries with a very long harvest time; sweet-sour taste; Growth is not bushy like most varieties, but a bit more upright

'Reka': Early variety (ripening 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 stem; susceptible to disease

'Bluecrop': Medium maturity (late July to late August); large, relatively light-colored fruits with good taste; tends to form new shoots from the rootstock; wide growth

'Elizabeth'/'Elizabeth': Ripens from the end of July; moderately productive 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; hardy variety; resistant to drought

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

Forest blueberry varieties

Wild-collected blueberries are usually smaller than cultivated blueberries planted in the garden. However, their taste is usually much more intense. For this reason, well-stocked tree nurseries also offer the wild forest blueberry native to Europe. However, certain breeds are usually not found. Instead, the forest blueberry is referred to simply by its botanical name Vaccinium myrtillus traded.

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

Planting blueberries/blueberries: location and procedure

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

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

Blueberry/blueberry soil

As a bog plant, the blueberry is used to acidic soil. 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 cultivating blueberries. However, you should avoid using peat soil for ecological reasons. 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 be particularly careful not to use calcareous fertilizers. These would raise the pH. Special blueberry fertilizers that are optimally adapted to the needs of the plant can be purchased from specialist retailers. But rhododendron fertilizer is also ideal for blueberries, as this plant has similar requirements for acidic soil. A first application of fertilizer is recommended in the spring to promote the growth of young shoots. You can then apply a second fertilization before fruiting in June. If you prefer natural fertilizers, you can apply a mulch layer of needle litter, leaves or pieces of bark, which will provide the blueberries with long-term nutrients through gradual decomposition.

You can also incorporate organic materials - such as needle litter or chopped coniferous wood - into the soil when planting. If necessary, water the plant with low-lime rainwater to ensure sufficient soil moisture. Also our primarily organic Plantura organic universal fertilizer with long-term effect is ideal for fertilizing blueberries.

More expert tips on Fertilization of blueberries you'll find here.

Cut blueberries/blueberries

Blueberries develop very slowly and therefore only need to be pruned every three to four years. The best time to prune blueberries is in the fall after harvest (October/November). Make sure, however, that temperatures are above freezing when cutting. Necessary pruning work due to an infestation with diseases or pests can also be carried out in spring or summer. With very young plants, it also makes sense to remove the flowers in the first few years. This allows the plant to put all its energy into growing shoots.

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

Propagating blueberries/blueberries

In principle, you can propagate blueberries using sinkers or cuttings. When propagating using sinkers, bend down shoots that are close to the ground 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, shoots are cut off 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 Propagation of blueberries can be found here.

Picking and harvesting blueberries/blueberries

Depending on the variety, blueberries can be harvested from the beginning of July to September. 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 and can be easily removed from the stalk. You should also be very careful when harvesting, because blueberries are extremely sensitive to pressure.

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

Drying and storing blueberries/blueberries

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

More information about 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 fibre. 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. Of course, as with many things, 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. Therefore, only enjoy blueberries in moderation, otherwise you will have to reckon with unpleasant side effects.

A handful of fresh blueberries go well with dairy products (milk, yoghurt, quark) to make shakes and desserts. You can also bake delicious cakes, tarts or muffins from fresh or frozen berries. For example, American blueberry muffins, which are also offered in many coffee shops, are particularly popular. Blueberries can also be combined wonderfully with strawberries (Fragaria), raspberries (Rubus idaeus) or blackberries (Rubus fruticosus) combine. Dried blueberries, on the other hand, can be added to breakfast cereal or a tea blend.

If you want to make the blueberries last longer, you can also process them into juice or compote. To make blueberry jam, crush half of the selected and washed berries with a hand blender. Then mix the remaining berries with the puree and the same amount of preserving sugar (in a ratio of 1:1). If desired, you can add some cinnamon or clove powder. Everything is then brought to the boil 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 want all the tips for Cultivation of blueberries at a glance, then take a look here.