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Blueberries are a healthy and tasty taiga berry. It grows in areas with a temperate climate, tolerates sub-zero temperatures and consistently bears fruit in the summer. Wild shrubs are tamed by breeders and adapted for growing in gardens and home gardens. Varieties of garden blueberries for the North-West of Our Country take into account the peculiarities of the climatic conditions of the region.
Climatic features of the region
Leningrad, Pskov and Novgorod regions are located in the North-West of the country. The proximity of the region to the Baltic Sea gives the climate its characteristic features.
- In the North-West of Our Country, a temperate continental climate prevails, turning to a maritime one;
- The territories are predominantly waterlogged and waterlogged due to the proximity of the sea;
- The soils of the North-West are podzolic, or peat-bog. For the cultivation of fruit and berry crops, additional nutrient mixtures are added.
The Northwest experiences warm and wet winters, rainy autumns and springs, and warm but short summers. These features dictate the rules when choosing a blueberry variety. It is more convenient for gardeners to care for zoned varieties that are ready for the typical natural conditions of the growing area.
Blueberry varieties for the Northwest
Blueberries are hybridized for several reasons. Breeders seek to improve the taste, increase the size of the berries, as well as increase the adaptive properties that help to obtain a stable harvest. Each blueberry variety is different from the other. Before choosing for landing, a full analysis of the characteristics is carried out.
Chantecler
This is an early blueberry variety for the Northwest, which was bred by Canadian breeders. The average size of the berries is 2 cm. The bush is tall, stretches up to 1,8 m. Harvesting takes place in the first half of July. Up to 5 kg are harvested from one adult bush, with increased pruning and control over soil indicators, the variety can produce up to 8 kg of fruit. Chauntecleer is resistant to diseases, withstands frosts down to -28 ° C. Berries are characterized as sweet-sour, suitable for harvesting, freezing and fresh consumption.
Chandler
A tall blueberry variety with straight strong shoots, the bush stretches up to 1,6 m. Fruiting occurs in the second half of August. The berries of the culture are large, with thin skin. They are not prone to long-term storage and transportation, so they are consumed fresh or processed.
Denis Blue
The New Zealand blueberry variety, which is suitable for cultivation in the North-West of the country, is classified as mid-early in terms of ripeness, the advantage of which is uniform, unextended ripening. By the 3rd – 4th year of existence, up to 7 kg of berries are harvested from one adult bush.
bonus
A variety bred for the main purpose: to enlarge the size of blueberries. Its bushes reach 1,7 m, the fruits can grow up to 3 cm, weigh – 2,5 – 3,5 g. Harvesting begins in July, ends in August. Ripening of berries is uneven. The advantage of the Bonus variety is the quality characteristics of the berries. They have an excellent taste, at the same time, they have high keeping quality, are well stored, and are easily transported.
bluegold
This is a blueberry variety of early ripeness. When ripe, the crop is harvested in the North-West in a short time, as the berries are prone to shedding. The average bush of the variety gives 5 kg of berries, but with the correct redistribution of the forces of the bush, it is able to please with a higher yield. Bushes of the Bluegold variety are compact in size, the shoots of the culture are prone to branching, therefore they need regular pruning.
weymouth
An early blueberry variety suitable for the Northwest. It is characterized as upright, medium-sized with an extended ripening period. Berries begin to ripen from the bottom, then gradually move to the tops. The average fruit size is 2 cm, 4-6 kg are harvested from one adult bush.
Agrotechnics for growing garden blueberries in the North-West
The climate features of the North-West are taken into account when planning garden blueberry plantings. Many gardeners make typical mistakes when planting, which lead to the death of the bush.
How to plant
Blueberries are an atypical crop that grows well in acidic soil and almost stops growing in other types of soil. For her, they choose places in summer cottages or personal plots, where they have enough sunlight.
Recommended dates
Blueberry seedlings in the Northwest are recommended to be planted in early spring. Choosing a period when the soil warms up enough to dig a planting hole, planting is done before the buds begin to swell on the shoots.
Site selection and soil preparation
For blueberries, open flat areas with sufficient sunlight are suitable. The bushes will be uncomfortable in the through wind or in the shade of large trees.
The choice of site also depends on the landing method:
- the trench method involves preparing long rows and landing at a set distance;
- single bush blueberries are planted in a hole or a special container.
The soil for blueberries is of paramount importance, all varieties of the crop grow in acidic soils. The root system of blueberries is designed in such a way that it does not have the usual hairs for shrubs that take food from the soil, so the acidity indicators are maintained at the same level for the full development of the bush.
For the soil of the North-West, it is necessary to add peat and artificial acidification. Soil indicators should not exceed 4,5 or be below 3,5 pH.
Landing algorithm
The landing hole is prepared in advance, it is dug out with a depth of about 40 cm, with a diameter of up to 60 cm. Drainage from coniferous needles, bark shavings, needles is laid on the bottom of the hole. Then peat is added, making the soil light and loose.
A blueberry seedling is placed on the poured layer, while the roots are carefully straightened, otherwise the bush will not be able to adapt. After laying the nutrient soil and compacting it, the top layer is mulched with acidic mulch.
Care instructions
After planting a variety selected for the conditions of the Northwest Territories, a care period begins, which takes into account the characteristics of the culture. In addition, the rules of care are adjusted, depending on the weather conditions.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
After planting, blueberries are watered as the top layer of soil dries. Blueberries are not resistant to drought, but stagnant water is detrimental to the roots.
In the warm summer in the North-West, the blueberry bush is watered 1 time for 4 days. Each shrub is watered with 10 liters of water. For irrigation use warm settled rainwater. At the onset of the rainy period, the amount of watering is minimized.
After planting, blueberries are allowed to adapt for 2 to 3 weeks. When leaves and buds appear, ammonium nitrate is added to the soil. The nitrogen complex contributes to the active growth of green mass.
In summer, potassium sulfate and potassium nitrate are added to the soil. Top dressing with organic matter in the first year of existence is completely excluded.
Loosening and mulching the soil
The soil around the blueberry bushes is mulched immediately after planting. A layer of mulch helps retain moisture, inhibits weed growth and the transmission of insect infections. At the same time, the layer of mulch should be of medium thickness so that the soil under it does not rot.
Loosening is carried out after heavy watering and rains, when adjusting the mulch layer. Garden tools do not deepen more than 3 cm. This is due to the fact that the root system of blueberries of different varieties is located mainly in the upper soil layer, so it is easy to damage it.
Features of trimming
The formation of a bush for blueberries depends on the selected variety. Spreading bushes are pruned more often than bushes of varieties with medium or small shoot formation. Trimmings are regular:
- spring – pruned frozen shoots, broken and damaged branches;
- in autumn – before preparing for the winter, the planted bushes are cut to the very base, and adult shrubs are cut to half;
- in summer Shrubs are thinned out so that sunlight reaches all parts of the culture.
Preparation for winter
Blueberries are considered frost-resistant shrubs; for the North-West, varieties are chosen that are able to tolerate sub-zero temperatures. But many gardeners in the Northwest prefer to cover bushes to prevent freezing. In the north of the region, winters can be snowy and cold, so hiding places for blueberries in the Northwest of the country are not uncommon.
Preparations for winter start early. It includes several successive steps:
- Pre-winter watering. The last abundant watering in the North-West is carried out at a temperature of +5 ° C, the moisture supply should be enough for the shrub for the whole winter. With an excess of moisture, the soil can freeze at the first frost, so the amount of water is measured for each bush, focusing on size.
- Hilling, mulching. The soil is carefully loosened, thereby creating a protective trench, the trunk circle is mulched with fresh coniferous needles, sawdust or pine bark.
- Shelter. The branches of an adult blueberry bush are bent to the ground, covered with burlap, tied and create additional oppression.
Pests and diseases
Almost all of the best blueberry varieties for the Northwest have high levels of disease and pest resistance.
The danger may be the defeat of fungal diseases with improper planting on soils prone to moisture retention, water stagnation due to depressions.
Powdery mildew begins to develop on the roots, gradually passes to the aerial part, inhibits the growth of shrubs, manifests itself by yellowing and shedding of leaf blades, and shredding of fruits.
The fungus can be seen on blueberries in the spring. If root rotting began in autumn and developed during the winter, then in spring the buds on the shrub will have a characteristic black coating, shoots and leaves will begin to dry out immediately after formation.
Caterpillars may appear on blueberries in the spring, which eat the foliage and lead to the death of the shrub. You can save blueberries if you treat the plant in time with special means in the spring. In addition, when caterpillars or butterflies appear, the leaves are sprayed with a soapy solution or an infused solution of tobacco leaves.
Conclusion
Blueberry varieties for the North-West take into account the peculiarities of climatic conditions. The best option for these areas are varieties with early or medium ripening.
