Although it is not as popular in our gardens as raspberries or blueberries, it is worth having it in your garden. All because the fruits of the bush have many beneficial vitamins. If you take care of it properly, it will grow so much that you won’t know what to do with it. What should you pay attention to during care? How to care for chokeberry and when is the best time to plant the plant? See for yourself and you won’t make an accidental mistake.
What does chokeberry like? Sun and appropriate soil are essential
Chokeberry comes from eastern North America. There are red and black species, as well as a mixture called plum-leaf chokeberry. The red one is grown for decoration, and the black one has edible fruit that are worth paying attention to. They contain vitamins B, C, K, E and P, as well as antioxidants and minerals. They are usually not eaten raw because of their tart taste. It is a great addition to, for example, juices and jams. Such preserves should not be missing in your home pantry.
Chokeberry Anna Zheludkova/iStock
Growing chokeberry is simple, so it is worth paying attention to. It likes a position because without access to the sun, the fruit simply will not grow. The plant does not accumulate metals, so you can plant it near a fence or even by the road. In periods of drought, it requires a helping hand and proper hydration. It is worth providing it with fertile and humus soil. Importantly, chokeberry is resistant to low temperatures, so it is suitable even for inexperienced gardeners. Chokeberry berries can be harvested for about a month – from mid-August to mid-August
When and how to prune chokeberry? Do it best within this time frame
Although chokeberry is not very demanding, it is worth trimming it from time to time. The best time is early spring, i.e. March or April. At this time, the shoots had not yet awakened to growth after winter. If you cut it outside the rest period, the fruit may grow much smaller than you expected. Why prune chokeberry? It turns out that this action will provide it with better access to sunlight and, consequently, improve the quality of fruiting of the bush. Additionally, it will prevent the spread of diseases and pests. When pruning, it is best to get rid of shoots older than six years – these are the ones that bear the worst fruit. You can also get rid of root suckers.
How to plant chokeberry? Each of us can have it in our garden
If you have already noticed and appreciate the advantages of growing chokeberry, as well as its numerous fruits, and you want to have it in your garden, nothing stands in the way. However, you must first learn a few things so that you will not make mistakes and the bush will grow into a magnificent one. The most important thing is the planting date. In this case, early spring (March and April) or late autumn (October and November) will work. If you want abundant, quick fruiting, it is a good idea to choose plants propagated vegetatively (seedlings or the previously mentioned suckers). If you choose to grow chokeberry from seeds, the bush will bear fruit only after about 2-3 years. So you will have to wait a long time.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
