Blueberries

I am still a rookie in regards to growing blueberries. We only have two small bushes, but do have plans over the next few growing seasons to add a few more.

Two tricks of the trade that I can pass along happen to be that blueberries need mulch and they also like acidic soil. In order to kill two birds with one stone we began to take our old coffee grounds and started creating a "mulch" made entirely out of the coffee. Towards the end of spring my two year started adding grass clippings from the lawn after it had been freshly mowed, smart boy, and now we have a good base around the plants.

I pruned one of the two plants this spring while the other had been attacked by rabbits the past two winters so it has been pruned by nature so to speak. Pruning is a recommended method for a number of reasons if not simply to create fuller plants.

Aside from the way the warm berries melt in your mouth fresh from the bush there are a number of health benefits associated with blueberries. I'm sure we have all heard at one point or another that red wine is "good" for your heart. It is due to wine containing antioxidant anthocyanins. Blueberries contain 38% more of these free radical fighters than red wine. Blueberries also contain ellagic acid which has been shown to prevent cell damage. They have also been associated with gastrointestinal health. Blueberries are a great source of vitamin C, manganese, and vitamin E, which is another antioxidant.

If you have a little extra room on your property I really recommend trying a few blueberry bushes and enjoying the fruits of your labor.