JULY IS NATIONAL BLUEBERRY MONTH
July is an excellent month to enjoy the fruits of bounty from blueberries in the area. Our produce vendors with our farmers’ market can now provide fresh, locally grown blueberries. See and enjoy our farmers’ market every Thursday from 10 am to 2 pm.
Not long ago, I did a blog on the benefits of edible landscapes. I want to take the concept of an edible landscape and highlight blueberries as the “go-to” fruit to transform your landscape into more edible. Simply put, edible landscaping replaces merely ornamental plants with food-producing plants.
GROWING BLUEBERRIES
Blueberries have been growing in America for hundreds of years. We have a wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) native to our region.
WHAT DO BLUEBERRY PLANTS NEED?
Blueberries like to be planted in the sun or partial shade with enriched high organic soil that is well-drained and acidic. Blueberries like a pH level somewhere between 4.5 to 5.5.
The bottom line is that if you have the correct location (with sunlight) and enrich the soil with organic matter, blueberries are not hard to grow in any landscape. If your location is strapped for space, have no fear. Blueberries can grow well in patio, porch, or deck containers.
Many varieties of blueberries could lead to some confusion for you about choosing a suitable variety. Most of these varieties fall under two blueberry classifications: high bush and low bush. The main difference between high and low bush varieties is that high bush grows taller and produces more abundantly with larger berries that are less sweet. Low bush types are tiny, low-growing shrubs with dark blue and strong, sweet berries.
Blueberries are excellent plants. They have small, white flowers in the spring, followed by fruit in late spring that comes to ripen starting in early June. Blueberries are gorgeous in the landscape with their white flowers, blue fruit, and beautiful fall leaf color. You can enjoy these hardy plants for years with proper soil and planting.
PLANT A LITTLE HAPPINESS!!!!!!!!!!!