Summer fruit is in full swing, and we recently experienced some berry envy courtesy of Martha Stewart's batch of blueberries.
The gardening expert recently shared a snap of her baskets, filled to the brim with fresh berries. With peak blueberry harvest season being June to September, now is the best time to get berries as ripe and juicy as Martha's.
'Right now I have an abundance of delicious, sweet, plump blueberries growing at my farm,' she writes in the caption. 'And do you know... blueberries are among the most popular berries for eating? Here in the United States, they are second only to strawberries.'
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Drew Swainston, Gardens content editor at Homes & Gardens shares that blueberries are one of the most popular fruits to grow in the summer thanks to their health benefits and versatility.
'Blueberries are super-health berries to grow; they are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants,' he explains. 'Plus, they are very easy to grow and you can find blueberries ideal for most climates. Some types can be hardy down to US hardiness zone 4, and there are different varieties of blueberries suitable for southern or northern gardens. So it is key to check any variety to make sure it is right for your location to guarantee the best harvest possible.'
Drew says that planting blueberries comes down to getting the soil right, and monitoring the pH level.
'One of the key factors to get right for happy blueberries is the soil,' he states. 'They prefer acidic soil, with a pH of 5.5 or lower. You can acidify the soil to reduce the pH by adding sulfur, iron sulfate, or peat moss, and mulching blueberries with pine needles, leaf mold, or bracken. Alternatively, growing blueberries in containers filled with ericaceous compost specially-formulated for acid-loving plants can be a simple way to cultivate them in ideal conditions for them to thrive.'
When it comes to picking your own berries, Drew says now is prime time, though he suggests being mindful of ripeness.
'The blueberry picking season peaks in July and August, and you want to ensure the fruits are blue throughout before picking,' he says. 'A perfectly ripe blueberry should come off the bush easily.If it doesn’t easily detach, or still has signs of white or green, then it is not ready. The blueberries also don’t all ripen at the same time, so check any bush regularly to pick ripe fruits.'
