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Blueberries are among the most popular and healthiest types of fruit. They are full of antioxidants, vitamins, and everyone will fall in love with their taste. Many people buy them regularly in stores, but did you know that growing blueberries at home is possible even from commonly purchased berries? In this article we will show you how to obtain blueberry seeds from fresh blueberries and turn them into fruiting bushes right in your home garden.
What you’ll need
- ripe store-bought blueberries
- potato masher or another soft tool
- a bowl and water
- paper towels
- seed trays or flower pots
- quality potting mix or compost
Step 1: Selecting blueberries
Choose fresh fruit – ideally plump, ripe blueberries without signs of rot. Larger berries often contain higher-quality seeds that have a better chance of successful germination.
Step 2: Extracting seeds from blueberries
Crush the berries in water so the seeds separate from the pulp. The heavier seeds will sink to the bottom. Repeat rinsing until you have clean seeds, which you then dry on a paper towel.
Step 3: Preparing pots
Choose smaller growing containers with drainage and fill them with a loose potting mix. Blueberries prefer acidic soil with good drainage – ideally with a mix of peat or forest soil.
Step 4: Sowing the seeds
You can:
- evenly spread over the surface of the potting mix, gently press and moisten
- use halves of the berries with the seeds and plant them whole into the potting mix
Place the container in a warm, sunny spot – ideally by a window. Germination can take several weeks, so be patient.
Step 5: Caring for seedlings
Keep the potting mix moist, but not waterlogged. Once small plants appear, give them plenty of light. Repot into larger pots if necessary.
Step 6: Transplanting outdoors
Once the seedlings have strengthened and have several true leaves, move them to larger containers or to your home garden. An ideal spot has plenty of sun and is sheltered from wind.
The joy of your own harvest
Growing blueberries from purchased fruits is not only fun but also very rewarding. You’ll gain not only fresh fruit, but also the feeling that you’ve done something for your health and your garden. And when the first fruits arrive, the reward is sweet – literally.
