Blueberries will start to bear after two years of planting

Blueberries are delicious and highly nutritious, additionally, they are attractive shrubs in their own right, suitable for your tiny garden.

Blueberries may not need a lot of attention and are easy to grow. What farmers or gardeners need to know is that blueberries prefer acidic soil, also, they grow very well in pots. They are ideal for smaller gardens as they mostly reach just above a metre in height and remain compact.

"You can grow two varieties close to each other, this tend to produce better fruits," says Simon Kimani, a fruit farmer from Makuyu in Muranga county.

You can grow blueberries in your garden if the soil is acidic, they will not need much attention and can be rainfed. If not, grow blueberries in pots of acidic compost.

.

Keep Reading

For Kimani, the key to successfully growing blueberry plants is getting the ecological conditions right. As mentioned before they do well in acidic soil with a pH of between four and 5.5 and need the sun. The soil should be well draining.

The two most common types of blueberries are highbush and lowbush or wild blueberries. The lowbush are smaller and presumably richer in antioxidants.

King of antioxidant foods

According to Healthline.com blueberries are the king of antioxidant foods. They are believed to have one of the highest antioxidant levels of all common fruits and vegetables. Blueberries reduce DNA damage, which may help protect against ageing and cancer, they protect cholesterol in blood from becoming damaged and may lower blood pressure. They may also prevent heart disease, improve memory and help maintain brain function, help fight urinary tract infections and diabetes.



Blueberry roots are very shallow and require aeration. The roots are fine, fibrous and do not have root hairs and therefore do not compete well against weeds which must be eliminated before planting.

"Blueberries are propagated from softwood or hardwood cuttings. Cut selected twigs from healthy, disease-free mother plants. Cuttings are placed in propagation beds in a medium that holds moisture well but also allows adequate aeration," says Kimani.

If planted directly into the ground, a hole with the size of 40 centimeters by 40 centimeters by 40 centimeters can be made. When transplanting the plant, make sure to plant it at the same depth to ensure that the crown is not covered or the roots exposed.

"Do not add manure as this will make the soil too alkaline. Water generously and continue to water well while the plant establishes," he advices.

When planting a young plant into a container, choose one that is at least 30cm in diameter and be sure to use ericaceous (used for lime-hating plants) compost. Again, plant at the same level it was planted in the field or in its previous pot. Firm in well, water with rainwater. If you're growing blueberries in pots, do not allow them to dry out, put a saucer or tray underneath. Feed them weekly with a liquid feed designed for acid-loving plants. Repot into a larger pot 45 to 50cm after a few years. After two or three months remove the top layer of compost and replace with fresh one.



"It is a good idea to repot completely every couple of years in fresh compost, as blueberries are hungry feeders," says Kimani.

Blueberries do not need pruning in the early years, it is okay to just remove any crossing or rubbing branches. Once established, bushes benefit from regular pruning to keep them healthy and productive.

Always tidy the plant by removing any dead, diseased or crossing branches and leaves. Then cut out around a quarter of the less productive, older branches.

Blueberries will start to bear after two years of planting. It requires a lot of patience but once the fruits begin to appear, one can harvest over a few weeks as they ripen gradually. Pluck off the deepest blue berries gently, leaving the greener ones to continue ripening. It will take several years for the plant to crop heavily but eventually you should enjoy the nutritious fruits.