The Millstone Times June 2020

FOOD & DINING

A Bounty of Blueberries By Ally Tringali

Blueberries are one of summer’s greatest offerings. They add a hint of sweetness to your breakfast smoothies, cereals, and desserts, and make a perfect, healthy snack. So what’s the best way to have a constant supply of the freshest blueberries in your home? Grow them yourself ! In order to grow the best blueberry bush with the greatest bounty, check out these tips! 1. Do your research: Do some research to see what kind of blueberry bush grows best for your area’s climate. Some bushes grow better in direct sun with humidity, while others can withstand those random early summer freezes. 2. Soil counts: Believe it or not, soil has measurable acidity levels that can effect what grows in your area. The Almanac recommends that the best acidity level is between a 4 and a 5, but if your soil doesn’t fit the standard level, then you can always plant your bushes in pots. To learn two great ways to test your soil acidity, check out this website. 3. Chasing the sun: In addition to having good soil, your blueberry bush needs to get the correct amount of sunlight. Search for an area that gets a lot of sunlight, or plant your bush in a pot so you can move it around during the day to get the most direct sun. 4. They need space: HGTV recommends leaving at least five feet between each blueberry bush when planting. If you want to plant your bush in a pot, choose one that is 18 inches to give them enough space to grow. 5. Stay hydrated: Blueberry bushes are easy to care for: they only need one to two inches of water per week. 6. Safety first: We aren’t the only ones that love blueberries! If not protected, blueberries can be picked off by hungry birds or other animals, or eaten by bugs. HGTV recommends protecting them with a net or bamboo sticks. 7. Constant supply: According to The Almanac, blueberry bushes can live and provide fruit for years…up to 20, to be exact! To make sure that your bush is living its life to the fullest, prune your bushes every couple of years. But beware! Bushes won’t provide fruit the same year that they are pruned, so alternate your pruning years between bushes.

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48 The Millstone Times

June 2020