Ripe blueberries not only have a very aromatic and refreshing taste, they also provide numerous vitamins and nutrients for human he alth.
Where can you buy wild blueberry plants?
Wild blueberry plants, also known as Vaccinium myrtillus, can be purchased from specialist retailers or in specialized online shops. Make sure you plant at the right time in autumn or spring for optimal growth results.
Collecting wild blueberries in the forest
In this country, wild blueberries usually grow in open moorland forests and on moist mountain embankments at low altitudes. Collecting blueberries in the forest is a great way to escape the midsummer heat while contributing to a he althy diet. However, many people are afraid of collecting wild blueberries because of the danger of the fox tapeworm pathogen, which can actually be rendered harmless by washing or boiling. If, for this reason, you would still prefer to grow the wild blueberries yourself on your property that is far from the forest or fenced in, this is generally possible. However, even with good care, wild blueberries produce a much lower yield in the garden than the cultivated blueberries bred specifically for cultivation.
Preparing the site for wild blueberries
Just like cultivated blueberries, wild blueberries also place certain demands on their respective location. These are for example:
- A place that is as partially shaded as possible
- an acid soil
- no waterlogging
Unlike cultivated blueberries, the more sensitive wild blueberries do not tolerate being transplanted into full sun. You don't necessarily need pure peat soil, but the subsoil should be as lime-free as possible and have a pH value between 4.0 and 5.0. In most gardens, this requires replacing soil material or at least acidifying the soil. In order not to damage the sensitive blueberry roots with waterlogging, the substrate should be loose and not too clayey.
Get wild blueberry plants
Removing wild blueberries from a forest area should generally only be done in consultation with the landowner. Although wild blueberries are not available in every garden center, many specialist retailers offer them for sale under the botanical name Vaccinium myrtillus. Choose a planting time in autumn or spring to achieve the best possible growth results.
Tips & Tricks
When purchasing wild blueberries, consider their relatively strong reproductive instinct. Even when used as ground cover, these can spread over a suitable area in a relatively short time via root runners and self-seeding.
