While the goji berry has been used as a fruit of the “common buckthorn” in Asian countries for a long time in cooking and for he alth purposes, it only became a “trend berry” in western industrialized nations after the turn of the millennium. Not least due to the pollutant residues from pesticides found in many imports, the cultivation of goji berries locally is becoming more and more an important issue in Germany.
Why is growing goji berries recommended in Germany?
Growing goji berries in Germany makes sense to avoid pollutant residues, enable short transport routes and enjoy fresh berries. Plants prefer sunny, warm locations, well-drained soil and regular pruning to prevent mildew.
Good reasons for growing in Germany
There are various reasons for growing goji berries in Germany:
- better control in the use of pesticides
- clean and harmless irrigation water
- improved ecological balance thanks to short transport routes
- Possibility of processing fresh berries
In addition, there are basically no reasons that would speak against the widespread cultivation of the common buckthorn as a cash crop. The plants do not place particularly high demands on their respective locations and are quite hardy even in exposed locations.
Variation on the menu with home-grown goji berries
Whether goji berries are actually a so-called “superfood” could perhaps be debated. What is certain, however, is that the relatively late harvest time means that the season for freshly consumed soft fruit from controlled cultivation can be extended directly on site. The tart goji berry can also enrich the taste when used as a flavoring ingredient in sauces for game dishes, as a raisin substitute in cakes or as a vitamin kick in morning muesli.
Ensure he althy and productive plants through location selection and care
When choosing a location and caring for the goji berry, you should always keep in mind that these berry bushes love sunny and warm locations with permeable soil. So that the plants with the typically arched, long branches can develop well, they should be planted at a sufficient distance from each other and also cut regularly. Good ventilation of the leaves on the branches is an important factor when it comes to preventing powdery mildew infestation.
Tip
Since the goji berry tolerates waterlogging in the root area very poorly, impermeable soils in damp locations should be enriched with appropriate drainage materials (€5.00 on Amazon) and humus-rich, loose soil such as seasoned compost.
