News and Tips

Winter in full bloom. If you consider starting a fruit plantation it is a great time for planning it.

If the idea has just come to our mind, it is worth to check the condition of the field we want to use. The place for plantation should be prepared even 2 years before. It will contribute to the lesser growth of weeds as well as to higher healthfulness and wellness of plants. All weeds should be removed before we start planting.

Now is the time to think of appropriate machines depending on the plantation size. Basic machines are e.g. tractor with suitable equipment and crop duster. Other useful things are: a planter, a mower and a combine harvester for fruit harvesting.

A basic thing to consider is the choice of plant species for cultivation. We may choose from among popular raspberries, blackcurrant or strawberry or opt for more exotic ones like wolfberry (goji berry). Nowadays, a honeyberry is very promising because of its high nutritious values. Moreover, its fruits are sought for on the fruit market. These fruits are highly resistant to frost, pests and diseases. Another important fact: honeyberry is suitable for mechanical harvesting.

Another step is to study the typical traits of particular species. It is advisable to choose few ones with different ripening season. Thanks to this we will have crops in a longer period of time. Moreover, we need to focus on the soil we have at our disposal as well as to consider the prevailing weather conditions. We have to think about which market do we aim: retail, wholesale, export or processing market? Having considered these issues it would be significantly easier for us to opt for the appropriate species. It is necessary to bear in mind that some species like e.g. honeyberry demand a cross-pollination. Due to this reason we should have at our disposal at least two kinds of this plant.

In order to choose appropriate plants it is useful to study the „Statement of typical traits” on the left side of menu. In order to read the statement, please click HERE.

Another important issue is to plan the plantation set-up. If we already know what area do we have, it is advisable to count how many shrubs of particular species we need to buy.

In order to plant our shrubs properly we need to consider the shrub structure, its harvesting type (manual or mechanical) and the size of machines that will be used at the plantation.

Some plants, for example raspberry, need special support so we have to buy it or simply make it on our own.

If you consider starting a plantation and you need some pieces of advice, we wholeheartedly invite you to contact with us! Our well-qualified staff for sure will help you choose appropriate varieties and will answer to all arising questions concerning the planting, the care of and the harvesting of fruits.

The choice of seedlings.

If we wish to enjoy fruitage throughout the season, it is advisable to choose plants of varied ripening season. It would also contribute to appropriate pollination conditions.

The info-photo beneath may serve as a help in the choice of appropriate seedlings. It shows the season and the fruitage terms of varieties which are at our store.

Soil related requirements.

Blueberry’s Polish name ”borówka” comes from pine forests (bory). It was named like this by Polish botanist and is related with its soil requirements.

Blueberry needs a highly acidic soil of pH of 3.8 to 4.5, humous soil (optimal content is 3.5% and more) and also warm and appropriately damp soil during the vegetation period. The soil should be also permeable. Such soil many be easily found in forests and near-forest areas. Conditions like these will enable the plant to grow well and have an abundant fruitage.

In case of sandy of forest soil it is advisable to add acidic peat into planting holes in the amount of 1-2 bags per shrub. Peat easily absorbs huge amounts of water which help shrubs grow normally, so it is perfect if we tend to forget about watering our plants during May and June droughts.

If we don’t have in our garden any soil appropriate for blueberry, it is advisable to prepare a mix of acidic peat, sand and forest bark (a recipe of such mixture we add beneath).

Typical garden soil is not suitable for blueberry planting as it has high pH. Moreover, in case of liming of soil the shrub will dwarf and its leaves will become light yellow.

The place.

Apart from appropriately prepared soil it is important that blueberry has been planted on a sunny place – which will ensure it with many flower buds and big, blue, sweet fruits. In shaded places the fertility of the shrub falls down and its fruits become green and sour in taste.

Watering.

Please take notice of appropriate watering of plants. If shrubs do not get enough water, especially in summer, they will have a very weak vegetation growth and the berries will tend to wilt. Due to the high reaction, the water may not be taken from natural springs – unless it will be acidified.

How to plant blueberry?

STEP 1.

Prepare the substrate. Mix acidic peat, sand and forest bark in the proportion of 3:1:1.

STEP 2.

Dig out the wholes of 60 cm in depth and of the dimension of 120cm. Lines should take 2.5-3m between each other. The seedlings should be planted in the distance of 1.5m.

STEP 3.

Prepared places cover with black foil creating a collar above the ground.

STEP 4.

Make holes in the soil so that the excess of water might permeate.

STEP 5.

Fill in the holes with the prepared substrate.

STEP 6.

Plant the seedlings.

STEP 7.

Cover the lines with sawdust or bark. This will lessen the water evaporation and weed growth. Additionally, the soil will be enriched with humus (when bark or sawdust will decompose) and it will become more acidic. Sawdust or bark should be completed every 2-3 years.

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