The gardening gourmet

Flower & Garden Magazine, July, 2002 by Kristen C.P. Perlman

Hello readers ... and happy warm weather season! Since I am a berry fanatic-strawberries, raspberries, blackberries-I decided to continue our early summer Gardening Gourmet trend with another berry-the blueberry.

As I've mentioned before, I live in New Jersey, The Garden State, and, yes, being The Garden State we do have many wonderful "Jersey Fresh" fruits and vegetables throughout the growing season. In addition, I didn't have to look very far for blueberry research, for about a half hour from my home is the city of Hammonton, also known as "The Blueberry Capital of the World." I do know, however, through my research, that there are other cities and towns across the country which also boast such titles, so I will explore not only the various areas that produce blueberries, but the different varieties that correspond as well.

The blueberry plant is actually a native American species used by early settlers as a staple ingredient in their foods and medicines. In the early 1900s Elizabeth White and Dr. Frederick Coville domesticated one variety of blueberry, the wild highbush, to create the plump, juicy, sweet, cultivated blueberry we know today. North America is the world's leading blueberry producer, accounting for almost 90% of world production. Cultivated blueberries, the ones developed by White and Coville, are grown in more than 30 states, as well as across British Columbia and Canada. The North American blueberry harvest begins in mid-April and ends in early October with the peak harvest in July (also known as National Blueberry Month).

When first contemplating growing blueberries in your home garden, consider a few things. First, there are three main types of blueberries: highbush, southern highbush and rabbiteye. All three varieties are cultivated, but your locality will determine what variety you will want to grow. The rabbiteye and the southern highbush varieties are recommended for growth in the southern states, while the highbush variety is typically grown in northern locales. Then, within each variety, there are different kinds of plants, called cultivars. Their differences are based upon ripening season, yield, fruit size and quality.

The second aspect to consider is your soil type. Blueberry plants grow best in soil that is very acidic with soil pH in the range of 4 to 4.5. It is suggested that you test your soil before attempting to grow blueberry plants in case modifications need to be made. Many times simply incorporating peat moss into your soil will do the trick. Blueberry plants also require full sunlight as well as adequate drainage, and planting blueberry bushes in low-lying areas is not recommended.

One of the easiest things about growing blueberries though, once the above criteria are met, is that they are often a wonderful addition to the home garden because they require only a small space to grow. Blueberry bushes can be planted as close as 2-1/2 feet apart and up to 6 feet apart. When planting, be sure to cover the roots and water well; they are also quite fond of mulch which will prevent weeds and aid with irrigation.

Blueberry plants will not begin to bear fruit until the third year and will not become fully productive until year six. With that said, it is very important to prune each plant during the initial years, as this will maximize your blueberry crop in the years to come. All blooms should be removed during the first year and, in years thereafter, growth around the base should be removed, as well as scrawny, dead branches.

As with many fruit and vegetable plants, they must be monitored for animal and insect damage as well as disease. Blueberry plants are very popular with birds, especially when they begin to bear fruit. Insects to watch for include the blueberry tip borer, the plum curculio, the leafroller, the cranberry and cherry fruitworms and the blueberry maggot. Diseases often include mummy berry, powdery mildew, twig blights, botrytis blossom blight, leaf spots and cane gall. As always, it is in your best interest to check with your local nurseries for any in-depth questions or problems you may have.

As I previously mentioned with regard to choosing the type of cultivar you grow, there are several important factors to contemplate. These factors are not only important for growing, but also for cooking. The first pertinent factor is the ripening season. If you want blueberries from May to October continuously, then plant cultivars that will bear fruit at different times. Some cultivars only bear fruit early in the season, while others only in midseason and still others only in late season. A second factor to consider is fruit size. Some cultivars yield smaller berries, which are best for muffins and pancakes, while the larger berries are better for pies, cobblers and buckles or eating right from your hand. Again, your local nurseries can help you choose the best cultivars for all your favorite blueberry recipes.

Additionally, I want to point out all the wonderful health benefits that blueberries have to offer. Blueberries have always been known to be low in calories, high in fiber and virtually fat free. In a new study done by Tuffs University, it has been shown that blueberries are also high in antioxidants, and, as is often heard, diets high in antioxidants may possibly lead to the prevention of cancer, heart disease and other related illnesses.