Blueberries: The Super Food that is Super Easy to Grow
Blueberries are not only delicious, but considered an antioxidant super-food and one of the healthiest fruits around. While they can be pricey in the supermarket – blueberries are surprisingly easy to grow throughout the U.S. So why not grow your own? According to Nicholas Staddon, director of new plants for Monrovia, blueberries have been gaining tremendous popularity among home gardeners for many reasons. “Well of course, people love the sweet berries. But they’ve realized that these shrubs are really beautiful, “he explained. “They have a fantastic array of white to blush-colored flowers in the spring that cascade down in clusters. The satiny foliage changes in the autumn from a pretty green to vivid red and gold.” He points out that blueberries are easy to grow, resistant to pests and diseases, and will yield a nice harvest of fruit for several weeks during the summer. Blueberries don’t require much space, and grow very well in containers – especially in oak wine or whiskey barrels. You can put the containers close to the house to make harvesting easier. Just a light pruning once a year, after they stop bearing fruit, and the shrubs will maintain a tidy appearance. (more…)