Blueberries: planting and care in the suburbs and the best varieties for growing with photos

Blueberry is a highly branched, frost-resistant, long-lived subshrub or shrub of the Heather family. It grows in a temperate climate, forest, forest-tundra zone, tundra, peat bogs and swamps, prefers acidic soils. Berries are useful to eat to improve metabolism, regulate the cardiovascular system and the gastrointestinal tract. Consider blueberry varieties, how to plant them and take care of shrubs in the Moscow region.

Varieties suitable for the Moscow region

The most famous are two types of blueberries:

• bog blueberry (low, swamp);
• high blueberries.

Both species are common in areas with cool and short summers. The average height of shrubs is 50-70 centimeters. Garden forms are taller and more productive, reach a height of 1.5-2 meters and produce up to 10 kilograms of berries from a bush.

For planting in the country, it is recommended to choose high blueberry varieties bred in the USA and Canada, which have English names. They differ from the low variety in oval shiny leaves and larger sweet berries, up to 2 grams.

In marsh blueberries, the base of the leaves is with a wide wedge, the leaf blade is matte, the berries are small, collected in brushes, the yield does not exceed 1.5-2 kilograms of berries from the bush.

The fruits of different types of shrubs differ in the composition of nutrients and vitamins:

• marsh - contains 5-6 percent sugar in berries and up to 50 milligrams of vitamin C per 100 grams of product;
• high - accumulates up to 15 percent sugar and 18-20 milligrams of vitamin C per 100 grams of berries.

Beginner gardeners often confuse blueberry and blueberry seedlings, as well as the berries themselves. The main difference is that blueberries grow as a creeping bush, young shoots are green, without bark, berries are located singly on a branch. Blueberries have erect lignified twigs, the fruits grow in clusters, the juice of the berries is lighter in comparison with blueberries, which stain the hands with dark blue juice.

Let's consider blueberry varieties for the Moscow region

Bluecrop

Known to gardeners since the mid-20th century. The height of the bushes is 1.5-1.8 meters, the berries are 2 centimeters in diameter, weighing up to 1.4-1.9 grams, the skin is of medium density with strong pubescence. Ripens at the end of July (mid-season). A distinctive feature of the variety is fruiting on the shoots of the past and current year.The bushes are slightly spreading, the buds are light-colored in spring. Very frost-resistant variety, tolerates drought, is not affected by diseases.

Patriot

The variety was bred in America, in the mid-70s of the last century. Early maturity. The crop can be harvested in the Moscow region in mid-July. The berries are oval, dull blue, up to 1.2-1.5 cm in diameter, the skin is dense. They tolerate storage and transportation well.

Northland

Derived in Michigan, in the middle of the 20th century, by crossing varieties Berkeley (tall) and 19-H (hybrid of low-growing blueberries and Pioneer varieties). The bush is low or medium, reaches a height of 1.2 meters, sprawling. In autumn, the foliage turns red-purple hues, the variety is highly decorative. The berries are round, 1.6 cm in diameter, the skin is dense, light blue, with a bluish bloom, ripen in mid-July. The taste is sweet, the aroma is characteristic of wild berries.The variety gives regular yields, but is resistant to drought.

Northblue

Derived in the United States by crossing tall and narrow-leaved forms US-3, G-65 and Dwarf, has increased frost resistance, tolerates frosts down to minus 35 degrees. The height of the bushes does not exceed one meter. The berries are large, with a small scar, the skin is dense. The juice contains an increased amount of anthocyanin, which has a rejuvenating and antioxidant effect. Requires growing in well-lit areas for annual abundant fruiting.

Jersey

Late maturity (mid-August), suitable for long storage and processing. Berries of medium size, balanced taste. The variety is a good pollinator for all of the above.

Airlie Blue

Mid-early ripening variety, the first harvest can be carried out in early July. The diameter of the berries is 1.5 centimeters, the brushes are conveniently located for picking from the branches. Withstands frosts down to minus 27 degrees.

Spartan

Variety with powerful erect shoots, up to 2 meters high. Berries of medium size, round, tasting with pleasant sourness.

Toro

The bushes are powerful, reach a height of two meters, late ripening. Berry picking is carried out in the second and third decades of August. The variety is frost-resistant, it is not affected by diseases and pests.

New varieties

Description of new blueberry varieties recommended for cultivation in the Moscow region:

1. Aurora - berries are blue-black, rounded, weighing over two grams, ripens late, frost resistance - up to minus 20 degrees.
2. Duke - dessert, very early variety, flattened berries, medium skin, slightly pubescent, tolerates frosts down to minus 30 degrees, is not affected by diseases.
3. Liberty - ripens late, the berries have a high content of vitamin C, frost resistance - up to minus 20 degrees.

Pay attention! For better cross-pollination of the plantation in the summer cottage, at least two varieties of blueberries should be planted. The best pollinator for all varieties is Jersey.

Modern varieties of marsh blueberries:

• Iksinskaya;
• Taiga beauty;
• Shegarskaya;
• Yurkovskaya.

Many gardeners are wondering if it is possible to plant marsh and high blueberries side by side, in the same plantation. The answer is yes, you can, it will not affect the quality of the berries.

According to the reviews of experienced gardeners of the Moscow region, the rating of popular blueberry varieties in terms of frost resistance is as follows:

• North Blue (-35);
• Duke (-30);
• Airlie Blue (-27);
• Bluecrop (-25).

When choosing varieties in nurseries, first of all, pay attention to their frost resistance and ripening period.

Features of growing blueberries in this region

Golubika feels comfortable in the suburbs. However, before planting it on your site, you should carefully study the recommendations for growing in order to avoid the death of plantings of this valuable berry.

When to plant

The most favorable spring planting period: the third decade of April-the first decade of May, when the optimum air temperature is 12-16 degrees and soil moisture. During autumn planting, fragile young bushes are more often damaged by frost, damage to plantings can be caused by hares eating young bark.

Site selection and soil preparation

Contrary to popular belief, blueberries should be grown in sunny, wind-sheltered areas. The soil should be light, well pass water and air.

Important! The reaction of the environment in the soil for growing blueberries should be acidic - from 3.5 to 5.

In the Moscow region, not all soils have such acidity. To acidify the soil, in the fall, it is recommended to pour the planting pit with a solution of vinegar at the rate of 100 milliliters per bucket of water. Watering blueberry plantations with a solution of acetic acid can be repeated every 3-4 years. Small portions of the solution are evenly distributed over the surface of the soil around the bush, allowed to soak. After that, the operation is repeated, pouring 10 liters of the prepared solution.

A planting hole 34-40 centimeters deep can be filled with organic matter - peat, which has a pH below 5.0. In early spring, before planting, 50-60 grams of ammonium sulphate, superphosphate and potassium chloride are added to one seat. All fertilizers are thoroughly mixed with the soil.

Selection and preparation of seedlings

It is advisable to buy blueberry seedlings at reasonable prices in the nursery near Timiryazevka, where large-berry varieties are propagated in open ground. For spring planting, seedlings with a closed root system (in a container) should be taken. They take root faster because their roots have not been out of the substrate and have not experienced a lack of moisture.

Before disembarking, the containers are poured abundantly, allowing the water to soak in. You can prepare a solution of the root formation stimulator Kornevin and fill the roots with it. Too long branches are slightly shortened with secateurs, cut to a well-developed bud facing outward.

How to plant

The seedling is carefully removed from the container, planted in a pre-prepared planting hole to a depth of 8-10 centimeters. The roots are well pressed and watered with at least 10 liters of water. Adult bushes can reach a diameter of 1.2-1.5 meters, so they are planted at such a distance from each other.

The nuances of caring for blueberries in the suburbs

With proper care, blueberry bushes are productive and durable, they are not damaged by diseases, they are more frost-resistant. They should be cared for from the moment of planting and throughout the entire productive period of 12-15 years.

Irrigation

In the spring and summer, the plantation needs watering. The first watering is given at the end of May, the next - after flowering. During the period of pouring berries give one or two waterings. After harvesting, the bushes must prepare for winter, so watering is stopped.

Cutting

Fruiting in many varieties of blueberries occurs on last year's twigs and shoots of the current year. However, branches younger than six years old are not cut, as they bear young, fruitful sprouts. After this age, the bush needs thinning. After ten years - in rejuvenation. To do this, the old branch is cut to the place where the young, two-three-year-old branch grows from.

Feeding seedlings

Young bushes need annual spring fertilizing with nitrogen fertilizers - ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate at a dose of 60-80 grams for each adult bush. Phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are applied in autumn - at the end of September, at a dose of 50-60 grams for each adult bush. In spring, the soil under the bushes is mulched with peat or sawdust, which acidify the soil.

Loosening the soil and weeding

Loosening is carried out on young plantations, combining with three or four weeds. Mature plantations, where the branches of the bushes are closed, it is advisable to keep under peat mulch.

Preparing for winter

For better ripening of shoots and increased winter hardiness, bushes are additionally fertilized with potash fertilizers in mid-August. Potassium chloride is given at the rate of 30-40 grams per adult bush. If a frosty and snowy winter is expected, the bushes are covered with black non-woven material, which is tied around the bushes.

Protection from diseases and pests

When a white coating of powdery mildew appears on the leaves, the bushes are treated with fungicides - HOM, Ridomil gold, Topaz. One or two treatments with Aktara are needed to protect against pests and mites.

Reproduction

The varieties you like are propagated vegetatively. To do this, the cuttings are harvested in early March, then they are planted in warmed sandy soil at a distance of 12-14 centimeters from each other. Another option is to dig in a branch in early summer, and in the fall to separate the young bush from the mother plant.

Harvesting

Crop is harvested by hand or with the help of mechanisms three to four times per season. Many varieties do not shed berries when overripe, while in others the berries quickly lose quality. By following our recommendations, you will get a high yield of valuable blueberries.

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