Cowberry garden: planting and care, reproduction and cultivation in the backyard

There are few doubts about the useful qualities of lingonberries, because these small berries contain vitamins, micro- and macroelements. That is why, more and more often, the owners of summer cottages grow these bushes, which, with minimal time and labor costs, generously bestow delicious fruits. Growing garden lingonberries, as well as planting and caring for them, will not cause any particular difficulties even for inexperienced gardeners - the culture is undemanding.

Crop Specifications

Before embarking on an exciting process, it is recommended to study the characteristics of the berry crop, this will prevent shortcomings already in the first stages of cultivation. It would be useful to find out also the description of the plant, the basic requirements.

Cowberry is a low shrub that rarely exceeds 45 cm. The plant is evergreen, it does not shed its leaves even in winter. Flowering occurs in mid or late spring. The first fruits ripen in August, but in cool regions, the bushes are bestowed with red small berries even in October.

Frost and drought resistance

Feature of cranberries - the bushes do not die even in severe frosts (up to 30 degrees). Thanks to this, the crop is grown in cold regions, shelter is required only for young plants.

Garden lingonberry is a moisture-loving plant, so it does not tolerate drought quite well. You will have to take care of a layer of mulch or water regularly.

Disease resistance

Diseases on garden cranberries are extremely rare, but frequent showers or unstable weather conditions can lead to moniliosis or exobazidia. It will be possible to prevent diseases in one way - by regular preventive treatments of bushes.

How fast the bush grows

Cowberry grows quite quickly, although after growing to the required height, it drastically slows down development. It is recommended to carry out pruning, which will turn the plant into a lush compact bush. Once every few years, you need to cut the plant completely, this helps to rejuvenate lingonberries and increase yields.

What year does it bloom and bear fruit

Flowers on the bushes appear already in the 1-2nd year after planting the bushes. Fruiting will not be abundant. The peak of productivity falls on the 3rd-6th year after planting. If you carry out cardinal pruning, fruiting will not decrease for several decades.

Where are the fruits of lingonberry bushes used

Cowberry fruits are universal - used for conservation, baking, desserts. In alternative medicine, berries are quite popular, due to the unique composition of home remedies recommended for use against many diseases.

Often the berries are frozen or dried, the beneficial qualities do not disappear.

How to plant lingonberries on the plot

Difficulties in growing lingonberries will not arise even for an inexperienced beginner, the culture is extremely undemanding. If you properly prepare the soil, follow the basic recommendations, the bushes will delight with rapid growth and fruiting.

Required soil composition

Under natural conditions, the bush densely occupies peat bogs and swampy areas. Be sure to make sure that the soil for the plant is acidic or peaty. Heavy loams are not welcome, lingonberries can die.

The best soil composition for cranberries:

peat;
a small amount of sand;
garden soil.

The amount of peat should prevail in the mixture, this will affect the size of the fruit.

Best drop off location

Cowberry is a photophilous plant. The plot in the country for growing bushes should be in a sunny place. Be sure to take care of the absence of groundwater, an abundance of water will lead to rotting of the roots and death of plants. In the shade of large trees on a personal plot, it is better not to grow a crop, flowering and fruiting will be scarce.

Timing and planting technology

It is better to plant lingonberries in the fall, before the onset of stable cold weather. It is better to hurry, the plants must have time to take root in order to endure severe frosts without loss. Spring planting is recommended for residents of cold regions.

Plant bushes at a distance of 25-30 cm. Also make the aisles small - up to 30 cm. Be sure to water the lingonberries abundantly after planting. It would be useful to have a mulching layer - needles of conifers or crushed bark.Mulch will simultaneously protect and increase the acidity of the soil, which is necessary for plants.

What is needed for good growth

In addition to preparing the acidic soil, you will have to take care of the proper care of the plants. To grow generously fruiting bushes, follow certain rules. Caring for lingonberries is not difficult, but a few mistakes made are enough to kill plants or be left without a crop.

Basic Growing Requirements:

watering;
feeding nutritional formulations;
preventive treatments against diseases, pests;
timely pruning.

Another requirement is loosening the soil, updating the mulch layer. If weeds are not removed, the growth of bushes and fruiting will decrease, weeds will take some of the nutrients from the soil.

Irrigation and soil loosening

You will often have to irrigate the soil in the garden in areas where lingonberries are located, especially in the summer heat. It is recommended to water the bushes at least twice a week. Monitor moisture, excess moisture is detrimental to plants and can provoke root rot. Be sure to use warm water or apply drip irrigation.

Before each watering, it is recommended to loosen the soil surface, the hard crust that forms on the soil prevents air from penetrating the root system. Do not deep loosen, there is a risk of damaging the roots that are located near the surface.

Mulching

It is not recommended to use compost or humus for mulch, plants will flourish, but bear little fruit. It is better to use materials that increase the acidity of the soil - the bark of conifers or chopped spruce branches.The use of mulch will reduce the amount of watering and loosening the soil.

Plant fertilizer

For better growth and fruiting of lingonberries, it is recommended to use mineral supplements, especially in spring. It is better to apply liquid solutions, they are more efficiently absorbed by plants. It is advisable to water the bushes under the root, getting fertilizer on the leaves can lead to ugly spots.

After the buds appear, it is recommended to use manganese sulfate (also a liquid solution). Some gardeners completely refuse to fertilize during this period and simply mulch the surface of the soil with sand.

Shaping and rejuvenating pruning

Formative pruning should be carried out annually in the fall. Do not shorten the branches of the bushes strongly, it is enough to cut off the very tips. This will affect the general condition of lingonberries, the plants will be more lush.

Rejuvenating pruning is best done every 5-7 years. It is advisable to leave only part of the main trunk and 3-5 side shoots. It is recommended to rejuvenate the bushes in the fall, with the onset of spring heat, the plants will rapidly grow.

Prophylactic treatment for insects and diseases

Often, bushes are affected by fungal diseases, against which chemical solutions will have to be used. Bordeaux mixture is usually used - three times treatment is enough for the infection to recede. It is also recommended to use the remedy as a preventive measure.

Of the insects, lingonberries are usually occupied by a leafworm, which can damage the leaves and buds of the bushes. It is recommended to use "Fufanon", "Karbofos", "Aktar" against the pest. From folk remedies, a decoction of wormwood has proven itself (brew with a bucket of boiling water and insist 500 g of chopped leaves of the plant).

Should I cover for the winter?

Cowberry feature - excellent frost resistance. Shelter will be needed only for young plants that have not had time to take root in the open field. In cold regions, it is also better not to risk bushes, you need to put agrotextile or a layer of spruce branches on the bed.

How to propagate a bush

There are several breeding options for lingonberries, each of which has its pros and cons. Mother characteristics are retained regardless of the selected method.

Growing from seeds

Using seeds to propagate lingonberries is a rather unpopular method, since you will have to wait several years before the first fruiting. Another disadvantage of the technology of growing bushes from seeds at home is that planting material will need to be stratified, otherwise the sprouts will not appear.

It is recommended to send seeds to the ground in the fall. If planting is carried out in the spring, be sure to keep the planting material outside during the winter months. When germinating seeds at home, it is recommended to place the container on a light windowsill, without light, the sprouts will not appear.

Green and root cuttings

Cuttings are a simple and effective way to propagate lingonberries. Both green and lignified shoots take root perfectly. It is recommended to start an exciting process both in spring and autumn - the cuttings quickly sprout roots. The only condition is to build a temporary greenhouse from a film that will protect the shoots and create the necessary microclimate.

There are no special requirements for care, the main condition is to regularly moisten the soil, especially if the cuttings are planted in the spring. Loosening the soil should be done carefully so as not to damage the fragile roots.

Dividing the bush

Dividing lingonberry bushes is another way to increase the number of plants. It is recommended to do the process in the spring, before growth begins. Residents of warm regions can start dividing even in autumn, before frost the bushes will have time to take root.

Popular lingonberry varieties

Almost every year, breeders present new varieties to lingonberry fans, distinguished by fruiting and endurance. Some of them have already gained the recognition of gardeners, among them:

Coral. A high-yielding variety, which is distinguished by a compact bush (only 30 cm), a beautiful shape (spherical). Coral blooms and bears fruit twice a season.
Ruby. A variety that easily tolerates low temperatures. Fruits abundantly, the berries have a pleasant sweet and sour taste.
Red Pearl. Bush lingonberry, grown in order to obtain a bountiful harvest. It blooms twice a year, with the right application of nutrients it gives a full harvest.
Kostroma pink is another variety worthy of attention. The height of adult plants is up to 15 cm. Fruiting occurs in August.

Cowberry is a plant that will not cause trouble even for a novice gardener. It is enough to study the requirements of the bushes once, so that caring for them becomes a pleasure. For the labors, lingonberries will certainly thank you with delicious and he althy fruits.