Did you know that blueberries can do wonders for your memory? These berries can also prevent memory loss.
The results of a 2012 study showed that a single serving of fresh blueberries per week can slow cognitive decline. Another similar 2013 study using laboratory mice found that berries protect the brain because of their ability to break down toxic proteins that accumulate in the brain.
But that’s not all! You can actually grow your own blueberries. Could it get any better? We’ll show you 6 easy steps for growing blueberries in your own garden.
- Choose a nice planting spot and prepare your soil
Blueberry bushes love sun and good drainage. Ensure your soil is well-worked and weed-free. Water your blueberries well, as the plant grows best when exposed to consistent moisture. So, always have plenty of water on hand.
Poorly or partially drained soil won’t produce the desired results. Try raised beds. If you don’t have a garden or live in a small apartment, patio containers can be a great help.
Give your blueberry bush enough space, preferably 75 cm in diameter and 30 cm deep per bush. Dig a suitable hole and remove about half of the soil. Add the same amount of pre-moistened peat moss. Mix everything well.
If you’re planting your shrubs in raised beds, use equal amounts of peat moss and bark, tripe, or planting mix. Avoid cedar and redwood bark.
- Give our blueberry bushes enough space.
Space bushes 60–75 cm apart, or 1.8 m between each bush. If planting in rows, space bushes 2.40–3 m apart.
- The planting process
The best planting times are spring and fall. However, in some parts of the world, blueberries can be planted any time of year.
If you’re using young shrubs, carefully pull the shrub out. Then, roughen up the bark layer of the blueberry root.
Add about half an inch more potting soil than the top layer. Firm the soil around the roots and add the rest of the soil. Water your baby plant thoroughly.
- Mulching
Sawdust, bark mulch, grass clippings, and wood sorrel are best for wreaths. Blueberry bushes have shallow roots, which is why wreaths are popular here.
Add about 2 to 4 inches of mulch to retain moisture, keep weeds at bay, and provide organic matter. Repeat the process annually, and remember to never use sawdust from cedar and redwood trees.
- clipping
This will strengthen your bush and produce larger fruits. Once your bush begins to grow, prune it regularly to ensure it’s strong enough to bear its fruit.
Cut off any flowers that appear. Regular pruning will keep your plant strong and healthy.
Tips for proper pruning:
- Remove all growths at the bottom of the blueberry bush
- Clearing of dead wood
- Cut off short and discolored branches
- Clear about half of the wood
- fertilization
Always use organic fertilizers. Blood meal and cottonseed are best. Fertilizers can damage your bushes, so avoid them if possible.
