Blueberries for health and flavour

BLUEBERRIES are relatively easy to grow in Whanganui. PICTURE / SUPPLIED

Blueberries are a fashionable item in the garden and on the plate.
Thoughts of blueberry muffins, smoothies with blueberries and blueberries and ice cream all evoke senses that make one want to go looking through the fridge for dessert!

If the thought of all the delicious dishes that blueberries can be a part of don't tempt your taste buds then maybe the health properties will make you an advocate for this intriguing berry. Blueberries are vitamin rich and high in antioxidants, with properties beneficial in fighting heart disease, aiding against aging skin and boosting brain development.
In New Zealand, blueberries are among the five most common berry fruit grown, while in the US they are reputedly ranked second to strawberries as the most popular berry. Though native to North America, they also grow well here where the export crop has increased over recent years. A number of varieties have now been bred in New Zealand specifically for our climate and conditions.

As many are exploring productivity in the home garden and healthy eating, as well as the budget slashing benefits of seasonal eating from our own gardens, let's look at how we can add these must-have berries to our harvest here in Whanganui.

When you are planning to grow any new plant it is worth first establishing the basic essentials for the plant in question; - environmental requirements (shelter/light/space), soil preferences, moisture tolerances/needs, and optimal nutrient levels. Blueberry plants will remain fruitful for many years so plan your spot to grow them carefully.

When making a site selection blueberries, like almost all fruit, blueberries perform best in full sun. They are fairly indifferent to wind, though exposure to a strong prevailing wind will limit growth. Plants should be allowed the space of about 1m to 1.5m to grow individually as bushes. They can be grown in rows and if planted closer together will form a hedge, if you'd like to add a creative secondary use to your planting. Some densely planted rows will have plants as close as 60-80cm. There are some size differences between varieties. Blueberries have both female and male parts on the same flowers, however they will not pollinate themselves, so having two different varieties planted close, within 20m of each other, will ensure the bees share the pollen around and will have the best possible crop. There are a few self fertile varieties - check the label.

The soil needs to drain well, while still providing moisture. If your soil tends to retain water or bog, then building elevated beds would be an advantage. Raised beds are also a good option where natural soil quality is poor.

Because they prefer an acidic soil with a pH of 4.5-5.5 they are ideally suited to growing in the parts of Springvale and Mosston which have naturally occurring peat soils. Though as mentioned, drainage may need to be addressed. But don't be perturbed if your castle is located elsewhere. Soils can be enhanced with the addition of Yates Hauraki Gold Peat or an acid compost (beware most composts are pH 7, so are not suitable). Either can be liberally mixed in with the existing soil when planting. Use an acid fertiliser, the same as for rhododendrons, camellias and daphne. For established plants a mulch of peat around the plants in November or December is advantageous, limiting weed growth and conserving moisture during summer, as well as providing an acidic conditioning to the soil.

Caring for your new blueberry patch is not difficult, but particular attention to certain needs will assure you of fresh or frozen blueberries all year around when you produce a bountiful crop. Here are some essential tips for nurturing your plants.
Like citrus trees the flowers should be removed from your blueberry bushes for the first couple of years. This gets a good-sized bush established. Once they are up to a reasonable size they can be left to fruit, but should then be pruned every July. Blueberries fruit on second year wood. Prune by first removing any diseased or dead wood, then any low spreading branches as it is best to encourage more upright growth. It is good practice to remove some older branches each year to encourage newer ones to develop. Some shortening of growing tips will help increase the size of berries.

No matter what soil your blueberry patch is in, come September, December and February apply an acid fertiliser. This will maintain good plant growth and health, and thus promote good yields. Be careful not to apply too much at once, as it simply washes away before it is of use to the plant - little and often is most beneficial.
Blueberry plants are shallow rooted, requiring regular watering during the drier summer months. Regular watering is particularly important to establish the plants in the first couple of years.

If you're short on space blueberries can be grown in pots. Mix an acid fertiliser through the potting mix when planting and use it as a supplementary food three times a year. When growing in pots, it is important that they are watered regularly. The biggest failure of plants growing in pots is the lack of water, so beware and make a deal with your neighbour to take alternate holidays so as to water one another's pots in their absence!
Now you are your own resident specialist in blueberry growing. No doubt you already have in your mind's eye the perfect spot and are perhaps imagining yourself out there with bowl in hand, collecting great plump berries! But before you start, your last remaining undertaking is to choose your variety.

Different varieties perform better in different climates, so you want to choose from those suited to Whanganui.

There are three main types of blueberries in New Zealand.
Northern High Bush:Deciduous plants which tend to grow into large bushes up to 6m (yep no kidding!) if left unpruned. These are later flowering so are great for areas which can get late spring frosts, such as Ohakune, Taihape, Raetihi, Central Otago etc. Most are self fertile but varieties will produce a larger crop if planted with a second 'northern highbush' variety. Good varieties for these cooler areas are; 'Reka', 'Dixi' and 'Blueberry Muffin'.
Southern High Bush: Mostly evergreen plants (will lose a few leaves in winter) that grow well in Whanganui and other warmer areas.

The fruit ripens from October to February and these are best cross pollinated with another 'southern highbush' variety. Good varieties include; Misty and Marimba.
Rabbiteye varieties are evergreen plants that do well in Whanganui and tend to carry on fruiting for a reasonable period through summer. You need to plant two Rabbiteye varieties to ensure cross pollination and fruiting. Good varieties of these for Whanganui include 'Blue Magic', 'Tasty Blue', 'Blue Dawn', 'Centurion', 'Rahi', 'Sapphire Blue', 'Maru', 'Tifblue', 'Climax' and 'Powder Blue'.

As a general rule planting two plants for each blueberry lover in your household will give you enough berries to use.
So you're well equipped to give it a go! Get started now in your home garden and grow yourself a bountiful harvest of delectable anti-aging, heart disease reducing, brain improving desert!
Have a good week!

Gareth Carter is General Manager of Springvale Garden Centre.