Bilberry is a perennial plant with berries that are often used in pies and tarts. The berry grows on bushes, which can be planted near your home if you have the space or in larger gardens. It needs ample sunlight to grow well and produce large quantities of fruit for picking. They are not too difficult to care for, but do require some work!
How to Plant a Bilberry Shrub
Bilberries are sun-loving perennials that can be grown as a shrub, with a height of up to 3ft. They also do well in containers if you want to grow them on your balcony or terrace.
Bilberries need a sheltered position which will allow them to grow all year round, but they do not like too much exposure to cold, wind and frost. The ideal planting spot is against a south-facing wall or fence where the soil is moist but drains well.
To plant your shrubs, start by digging a hole about twice the width and depth of the pot and water it before placing it inside. Soak the roots for ten minutes then gently ease into the hole. Fill in with soil and water well.
An alternative method is to allow the plant to grow in a pot and transfer it into the ground later, once it has become established. You can either plant them directly into the garden or start off with an indoor planting first then move it outside when you know that spring has sprung!
To protect your shrub from strong winds, it is worth planting your berry bush away from fences or walls.
Once planted, water your shrub regularly so that the soil becomes moist but not overly wet. It will need watering during the drier months of spring and fall, when other plants are also given more water. Water sparingly in winter as they go dormant, stop growing, and become more tolerant of cold.
How to Grow Bilberries
Once your berry bush is growing well, you need to make sure it is looked after so that it grows healthily and gives lots of fruit. When you first plant your bushes, be aware that the roots will spread about 20cm from the stem, so be sure to place your shrub in a designated area where you will not need to move it.
Bilberry bushes should be weeded regularly and kept free of pests such as slugs or snails, which can cause damage by eating the leaves and fruit. If you have a cat or dog that likes chewing on plants, be sure to keep them away from your bush as well.
There are rare varieties of bilberry which can grow up to 20ft, but these will need more room and are not suitable for growing at home!
How to Harvest a Bilberry Bush
Bilberries should start fruiting after 2 years or so and every year after. The fruit can be picked throughout the summer months, beginning around July or August and lasting until late September. Gather the berries from a height of at least 3ft so that you do not hurt your back!
The fruit ripens in late summer and is ripe when it turns blackish blue to deep purple in color.
Handle the fruit gently, as they bruise and spoil easily. When picking, avoid touching the stem, which will damage it.
What does Bilberry Taste Like
The taste of bilberry is tart and slightly sweet. It tastes especially good when baked in pies or tarts.
How to Store Bilberry
Bilberries, unlike blueberries and strawberries, are not usually stored in the fridge. When you pick a large bunch of freshly harvested bilberries, they can be placed into an airtight container and refrigerated for up to one week.
If you want to store them for longer than this, place the berries in a jar or canning jar with an airtight lid then fill halfway with sugar. The sugar preserves the fruit by creating a vacuum seal that repels oxygen from the jar. The sugar will also cover any mold and bacteria on the surface of the fruit. Ready-made jam jars work well for this purpose too! The bilberries should be stored at room temperature away from direct sunlight or artificial light.
What is Bilberry Used For
Bilberry fruit and leaves have been used in traditional medicine to help with conditions such as constipation, gastric ulcers, heartburn, and night blindness.
Bilberries are often used in cooking and baking. They can be used fresh or can be dried. If you do choose to dry them, only dry a few per day and leave them out in the open air for four to eight hours.
Eating fresh bilberries is a great way to make sure you're getting all the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that they offer. It is also a delicious snack that can be eaten on its own or used in cooking.
When you pick your bilberries, you need to handle them carefully because they bruise and spoil easily. One way to eat fresh bilberries is by baking them in pies or tarts. You can also simply eat the fruit on its own as well!
What are the Health Benefits of Bilberries
Bilberries are a great addition to your diet due to the high levels of antioxidants and nutrients that they offer. Bilberries have been shown to be beneficial for conditions such as gastric ulcers, constipation, heartburn, and night blindness.
Bilberries can be used fresh or dried. When you buy fresh bilberries, make sure that you handle them with care because they bruise easily. Bilberries can also be baked in pies or tarts and eaten on their own as a delicious snack that is high in antioxidants.
Bilberries are a fresh fruit harvested from a shrub that can be grown in your own backyard. This article has provided you with all the information you need to grow, harvest, and eat bilberry bushes safely. When picking them off the bush, make sure not to bruise or spoil them as they will last for up to one week when refrigerated but should be eaten within two weeks if left out on the counter. There are many health benefits of eating this tart yet sweet berry including helping with conditions such as constipation, gastric ulcers, heartburn, night blindness. These berries have been shown to offer high levels of antioxidants and nutrients which is why it’s important for everyone to add more bilberries into their diet.