How To Grow Your Own Blueberries

How To Grow Your Own Blueberries. Image – Commonsensehome.com (with permission)

We’ve discovered an awesome tutorial for growing your own blueberries! The link follows after our introduction to the topic.

Blueberries are renowned for their health benefits – they are packed with phytonutrients yet the difference in flavor and quality between mass-produced and home grown can be tremendous! With home growing, not only do you have full control over what goes into the soil, you can be really sure that they are not sprayed with nasty chemicals – so you are doing your best for your family’s health. Plus you get the benefits of gardening, widely regarded as a far more healthful activity than driving to the grocery store… 😉 Not only that, but you can be sure that you really are getting actual blueberries. More on that later.

Blueberries are high in antioxidants. In 2006 the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry rated them as one of the top anthocyanin-rich foods (see our report on this, including the full list of anthocyanin rich foods at this link). Anthocyanins are a type of A flavonoid, and are responsible for the rich colors in red and purple fruit and vegetables.

Anthocyanins are now widely regarded to have amazing benefits to health. Laboratory evidence has suggested that they may be beneficial against cancer, inflammation, heart disease, diabetes, bacterial infections, age-related neurodegenerative disease and other neurological diseases.

The tutorial includes information about varieties to choose, soil types and preparation, fertilization, watering and protection against animals. Blueberries are popular with various creatures in addition to humanoids! So depending on your location you may well need to create a fenced, wired area to keep out deer, rabbits, birds and other blueberry munchers. However it should be regarded as a worthwhile investment, because blueberry bushes can provide fruit for many years.

Ok, here is the link to the full tutorial: How To Grow Your Own Blueberries

ps. One last tidbit – are you aware of the “fake blueberries” in some manufactured food products? Yes that’s right – some food products (i.e. certain brands of blueberry bagels) contain fake blueberries that are actually only sugars, oils and artificial colors derived from petrochemicals, containing no actual blueberry at all! Scary stuff but important to know – here’s the video: