BERRY nice

Berries are delicious and filled with nutrients, plus they’re easier to grow than you think

- ALICE SPENSER-HIGGS

For a long time, it was difficult to grow berries in South Africa (except in the Cape), because berries need cold winters, as experienced in Europe,” says Linda Wainman of Just Berry Plants in Roodepoort. For the past five years she and her sister Bev Klein, have been using a Facebook group, Berry Plant Lovers, to pass on their knowledge, with advice and follow-up e-mails to encourage first-time growers.

Aside from supplying nine different berries, including blueberries, cranberries and goji berries, they have developed a starter kit, mainly for acid-loving blueberries and cranberries. It consists of Lithuanian sphagnum peat moss, volcanic rock dust from Mauritius, a berry soil mix, pine bark mulch, and a year’s supply of fertiliser.

BLUEBERRY

The most popular berry, it’s an antioxidant powerhouse that’s deliciously sweet and long-lasting. The deep-blue colour is an indication of its high concentration of phytonutrients, which help to neutralise the free radicals that damage cells. Blueberries grow into 1,5m-high shrubs and are also suitable for large containers. Early-, mid- and late-fruiting varieties can be grown in Highveld gardens, providing berries from September to April/May. Gardeners in subtropical areas can only grow the early fruiting varieties.

Growing: The most important requirement is acid soil, with a pH of 4,2. Most garden soil ranges from 6,5–7pH and is not suitable, even with acid compost added. For these gardens, Linda advises using the starter kit. To accommodate their spreading roots and for good drainage, which is essential, plant them in a 50cm-deep and wide hole. They need full sun or at least seven hours a day, preferably morning sun and afternoon shade. In very hot weather, water every second day, reducing this to once or twice a week in winter. Mulch with green pine needles or pine bark. Coffee grounds are not recommended.