How are blueberries grown commercially?

Blueberry farm business

During the Second World War, British bomber aircraft raided the territory of the Third Reich exclusively at night. Some experts argued that the ability of British bomber pilots to display a unique "cat's vision" is due exclusively to blueberry jam, which is a mandatory diet of flight crews.

• Pros of the blueberry business
• Cons of growing blueberries
• Blueberry cultivation technology
• A step-by-step plan for starting a blueberry growing business
• How much can you earn from growing blueberries. Calculation of costs and benefits

Whether it is true or not, in fact, it is difficult to judge, but this fact acquired the force of an axiom and promoted the blueberry brand so much that to this day the berry of this seemingly inconspicuous plant is an indispensable component of various miraculous drugs in the treatment of ophthalmological diseases.

Pros of the blueberry business

What is the beauty for a budding entrepreneur who decides to start a blueberry business?

• First, there is an extremely low supply of marketable berries and processed products on the market, which is due to seasonal dependence and the factor of annual yield for products harvested in places of natural growth. Low supply brings with it a shortage of berries, especially in lean years, extremely insignificant competition and fairly predictable pricing, which is an important factor in modern conditions.
• Secondly, in addition to making a profit from the output of the berry, blueberries also make it possible to receive money from by-products. For example, she is a wonderful honey plant and if you have your own apiary, a blueberry plantation will provide your farm with amazing heather honey, so poetically sung by the highlanders of foggy Scotland. If you do not have an apiary, and the blueberry is quite extensive, then you can attract third-party beekeepers, which also will not leave you without fragrant honey, based on the principles of mutually beneficial cooperation. In addition, certain money can be obtained even from waste, because when thinning plantings of blueberries, leaves and stems can be harvested, dried and handed over to procurers of medicinal raw materials.
• Thirdly, blueberries are still insufficiently cultivated in domestic realities and, as a result, are not very susceptible to diseases and pests, as invariable companions of intensive farming.
• And lastly, this berry is guaranteed a stable sale, especially in the south of the country, where it does not grow under natural conditions, the purchasing power of the population is quite high, the berry supply is represented mainly by traditional crops, and the network of wholesale and retail trade and restaurant business facilities is well developed.

A categorical plus when organizing a business on the cultivation of blueberries should be considered that its berries, in the case of residues from the sale in fresh form, are perfectly processed and stored, which makes it possible to more evenly receive the distribution of profits and the receipt of funds and winter time, in the so-called off-season period.

Cons of growing blueberries

Any barrel of blueberry jam can always have its own fly in the ointment, and sometimes more than one.

First of all, blueberries are a child of northern latitudes, pine forests and raised bogs. In the south, where there is a very favorable situation for its implementation, it is rather difficult to obtain optimal conditions for its growth. Acidic soil, sufficient moisture supply to the root zone and the absence of overheating, the so-called "baking" of the aboveground part of the plant, especially during the period of crop formation - these are the main factors that can throw up unpleasant surprises for a businessman when growing blueberries.

In the southern zones, the way out of unfavorable situations is seen in the organization of blueberries in shaded areas, the organization of thoughtful and high-quality drip irrigation and the use of cultivated high-yielding and adapted varieties. The last point can carry quite serious organizational difficulties, since high-quality planting material is a product of exclusively foreign selection. But, when using it, you can get high indicators of business efficiency and much to the south of the area of ​​natural growth of culture. By the way, the same Poles in the Lubelskie Voivodeship, in industrial production volumes, were able to significantly squeeze the traditional producers - Scandinavians on the European berry market.

Blueberry cultivation technology

The first and indispensable condition is that the soil must be acidic, with an "acid fork" of 4-5 units. If your land does not correspond to such indicators, do not despair, the introduction of high-quality high peat solves the problem radically. Moreover, the additional costs of peatting the site should not be embarrassing, since simultaneously with bringing the acidity to the specified indices, you simultaneously improve the structure of the soil, increase its air permeability and make considerable progress in providing the root zone with the main nutrients.

Planting of healthy, developed plants with a good root system is carried out in October, the best effect is obtained by planting in prepared soil ridges, which facilitate routine maintenance and suppression of weeds. The plant spacing and row spacing depends on the specific conditions and the type of planting material.

In the warm season, in dry summer conditions, it is necessary to organize drip irrigation of the root zone and maintain a sufficient level of moisture in the ridge. The cost of a dropper is also purely individual and comes from many factors.

An important nuance is the use of water acidified to a pH of 5, or, alternatively, an aqueous infusion of the herb in a two-week barrel.

High-quality harvesting of marketable berries is carried out manually and requires the full mobilization of its own resources, or the involvement of hired labor for the ripening period of the crop. The Scandinavian experience of the so-called small-scale mechanization of berry picking through the use of "Lapland scoops", "combs" and other devices may be interesting.

The finished berry is sold fresh, the substandard is dried, frozen, used to make jams and preserves. Surplus marketable berries are also processed, the main condition is to prevent acidification of products, the appearance of mold.

Sales can be facilitated by concluding contracts for the supply of fresh produce to restaurants and retail chains.

A step-by-step plan for starting a blueberry growing business

In order to avoid problems with the fiscal authorities, it is necessary to register with the local tax authorities, as a business entity, classification by OKVED 01.25.1

If the initial capital allows, then it is worth thinking about laying a perennial berry plant on an area of ​​over 0.7 hectares.

The yield from one bush can be about 2-4.6 kg, and it should be borne in mind that the first 3 years, as it forms, blueberry will produce only up to 30% of the maximum yield. The plantation has been operating for about 12-15 years, in especially favorable conditions with competent agricultural technology, blueberries are able to give good yields for a quarter of a century.

How much can you earn from growing blueberries. Calculation of costs and benefits

The cost of a formed varietal blueberry seedling can start from 350 r, taking into account the area to be laid and the method of planting, it is necessary to calculate the costs of planting material.

From the calculation, we will withdraw the obligatory payments for the land plot, due to the specifics and specific conditions, the amount of payments may differ significantly.

The costs of peatting the site can also be omitted, since this event is relevant only for non-acidic soils.

The price per kilogram of marketable blueberries can fluctuate within a fairly wide range and, as a rule, averages 200 rubles.

Subtraction of tax deductions, rent payments, transport, utilities, wages and salaries makes it possible to achieve a profitability of blueberry production in the region of 75%, and it is possible to reach a profitability of 90% and higher due to the use of additional opportunities, namely the exploitation of blueberry as a honey plant, implementation deciduous raw materials, deep processing, direct sales and others.

Growing blueberries as a business is a very promising and attractive direction due to a number of factors listed above. Whether it is worth activating and developing this direction is not an easy decision, but certainly worthy of attention.

Growing blueberries is currently one of the most profitable small-area farming investments. The demand for this berry is so great that the profit from its sale can bring up to 15,000 euros per year.

To start this business with minimal losses, from the very beginning you should consider two points: for planting you need to choose two, three, or preferably four different varieties of blueberries and buy shrubs of two years old, which are sold in large pots and have a well-developed root system.

Bilberry is a self-pollinating plant, but with cross-pollination of different varieties, the yield will be higher. Good yields are shown by such varieties as Sadovaya, Ordinary Sharp Eye, Early blue, Nelson, Collins, Brigitta. However, this does not mean that other varieties are not good. All blueberry varieties are quite effective and yield high yields and differ only in ripening time and fruit size.

Blueberry plantation

How to plant blueberries

Planting blueberries is best in autumn, October, November in dry areas, and in early spring, in March or April, in more humid areas. By generally accepted standards, blueberries are planted 1.5 meters between bushes and 3 meters between rows. When planting, a hole is dug for each bush with a diameter of meter by meter and a depth of 60 cm.

With this planting, you get a plantation of 3333-4000 plants per hectare. In order for blueberries to root and grow well, the bushes need to be planted in pits in which peat with high acidity is poured. Also, every 2-3 years you should lay such peat under the bushes, which will nourish the plants and have a beneficial effect on the yield. When planting, 15 to 20 kg of acidic peat bog is laid in a pit and 5-7 kg of well-fermented manure is added.

Blueberries are a welcome treat for children

Required investments

Money invested in blueberry plantations is a long-term investment for up to 50 years or more. The initial investment for the preparation of the land, the purchase of seedlings, fertilizers and the necessary equipment can reach 17,000-18,000 euros per hectare. These are large expenses, but they are offset by the fact that the demand in the Russian and world markets is very high, both for fresh fruits and processed products. Considering that 12-15 tons of blueberries can be obtained from one hectare, such a business will be very profitable.

Blueberry harvest

Growing blueberries

Since the root system of young shrubs is much more sensitive and has a finely developed root system, experts recommend the creation of plantations from biennial plants.

When buying young seedlings, pay close attention to the size of the pots in which they grow. Rooting of young plants can be difficult, so it is recommended to plant strong, vigorous 2-year-old bushes with a strong root system that develops in large pots.

Box for picking berries by hand

One of the common mistakes is that many nurseries use too small pots for growing two-year-old blueberry bushes. In this case, the root system of blueberry plants does not have enough space to develop normally, and as a result, you will have to tinker with these bushes for many years to bring them back to normal. Save yourself the hassle by purchasing 2-year-old blueberry bushes in large enough pots.

Blueberries on the counter of the supermarket

The soil needed to grow blueberries

The limiting factor for the cultivation of blueberry plantations is, first of all, the acidity of the soil. Blueberries grow normally only on peaty, well-drained soils, acidic and very acidic. Avoid dense soil such as black soil or clay.

The soil should have a pH between 4.5 and 5.5. Soils with less acidity can be improved by increasing the acidity in various ways: by adding peat, sawdust from coniferous trees, sulfur, ammonium sulfate, urea, or other fertilizers that help increase the acidity.

Big harvest of blueberries

Depending on the soil analysis, a strict fertilization and soil rework schedule must be followed to maintain the acidity balance within optimal ranges. Conversely, if the pH is higher, you should lower it. If you try to grow blueberries in soil with the wrong acidity, it will be very costly and the effect will be short-lived.

Blueberry on a branch

Irrigation system

While other niche crops such as barberry, strawberry and currant produce good yields without irrigation, then a blueberry plantation cannot do without additional irrigation. The root system of blueberries is shallow and requires a constant amount of water in the soil to develop properly.

Blueberry is a light-loving species that grows in sunny places. Planting is only recommended in areas with a reliable water source. Water consumption per hectare is 40-50 liters per week during dry periods, which means you will need to install an irrigation system.

Experts recommend installing a drip irrigation system with the possibility of FERTI irrigation to create and maintain optimal plant nutrition and soil acidity.

Blueberry juice and jam

Profit from growing blueberries

With a simple calculation, you can see that with an average yield of 13 centners per hectare, and an average price in the Russian market of 150 rubles, the annual profit will be:

13,000 x 150 = 1,950,000 rubles

It is also worth noting that blueberries are perishable. In order to minimize losses, you will need to organize the packaging of berries in small containers, and in the future, its processing, for example, blueberries can be frozen, squeezed out of juice and rubbed with sugar.

Blueberry seedlings in pots

Blueberry as a houseplant

Not long ago, blueberries were a wild plant. Its domestication took place relatively recently, and gardeners began to harvest the first crop on their personal plots, as well as to plant blueberries on an industrial scale.

However, in addition to growing these shrubs outdoors, you can implement a new business idea and successfully sell blueberries as a houseplant. A healthy two-year-old bush with a developed root system should be placed in a not very deep, but wide pot, with a volume of 1.5-2 liters. Blueberries have shallow roots and must be able to grow in breadth. In this case, and with proper care (blueberries need a lot of light and daily watering in the summer), the bush will delight the owners with a bountiful harvest of berries.

As noted above, blueberry shrubs should be planted in a peat, loose mixture, with an acidity of pH 4.5-5.5. It is worth noting that healthy, well-developed blueberry bushes in flowerpots in Europe are sold quite expensive, at € 3 per pot.

HACKED BY SudoX - HACK A NICE DAY.

Today in the interview section we will talk about blueberry cultivation ...

Petr STRIFEL from the village of Raubichi (Minsk region) calls himself a novice gardener. In the past, a master of sports in wrestling, with the dedication and perseverance characteristic of record holders, about ten years ago he began to master a completely new field for himself.

Interested in: why gardening?

- The ancestors were strong owners, but after the revolution the land was taken away. And when I came to these places, I saw untreated fields, I had a pinch in my chest, I realized - mine! I think some gene "woke up", - the interlocutor smiles.

See also: Blueberries - growing and care: personal experience

Find an approach

Peasant farm "Strefel" (by the name of the head) is 26 hectares, on which there is an excellent apple orchard, there is a small plot with cherries and raspberries. But his favorite culture Petr Strefel calls tall blueberries, which he planted in 2009.

- When I started, cultivated blueberries were rarely found on farms, and even more so in amateur gardens. But I so wanted to master the process of growing this rare plant at that time, that I took a chance. And I never regretted it. Moreover, I advise many of my friends: discover blueberries! Its fruits, due to the enormous benefits for the human body, are not in vain called the berry of the 21st century! This culture is a long-liver, if desired, it can bring income to the owners, since the harvest is in great demand. And plant care is not difficult ...

- ... provided that you follow the rules of agricultural technology ...

- They ripped me off my tongue, - laughs Pyotr Stepanovich. - Quite right: there are several important points to be observed for successful blueberry cultivation.

First, it can only grow on acidic soils: the optimal pH is 3.5-4.5. Before laying the plantation, I first prepared the site: I plowed everything, leveled it. And then he brought back sour peat. On 3 hectares, 1 thousand tons of peat was required, although then it was poured more.

Secondly, blueberries are very light-requiring. Even with a slight shading, the yield decreases, the number of flower buds that are laid in the current year decreases. This, in turn, leads to a decrease in the yield in the next season.

Thirdly, it is necessary to monitor the moisture content of the soil, in no case should the soil be allowed to dry out. In hot weather, it is advisable to water blueberries at least twice a week - in the morning or in the evening.

I have equipped drip irrigation throughout the site. In amateur gardens, 5-6 liters of water can be poured under young bushes, under adults - Yul. By the way, "water procedures" for blueberries are especially relevant in July-August, when the harvest ripens and flower buds are laid. However, don't overdo it: the culture can't stand stagnant water!

Blueberry planting scheme

- If I decide on a blueberry bed, when would you advise to plant plants?

- You can plant seedlings with a closed root system throughout the growing season. Seedlings with an open root system can be planted in the fall (one month before the onset of stable frosts) or in the spring (before bud break). It is advisable to prepare the pit in a couple of weeks: 50-60 cm wide, 40 cm deep, with sheer walls. Fill it, as already mentioned, with an acidic substrate - high (red) peat, you can still have fallen pine needles or bark, add 40-60 g of sulfur, a little sand, mix and compact everything. After planting, it is advisable to mulch the plants with sawdust. I have a distance between plants in a row - 1 m. But today I would increase it to 1.5 m, because over time the bushes grow both in breadth and in height. And between the rows - 3.5 m.

- By the way, about the aisles: you have them sown with clover ...

- He well "clogs" weeds, does not allow them to grow. Besides, I have bees. And the plantation looks beautiful when the clover blooms.

Reference by topic: How to properly plant blueberries

Measure is in everything!

- Pyotr Stepanovich, it seems to me or your 6-7-year-old bushes are lagging behind in growth?

- Unfortunately, this is the result of a lack of experience at the initial stage. In the early years, more than a thousand bushes withered, attacks were also later. The plants were sick and did not grow well. Now I took control of this issue.

In the spring, as the soil thaws, I treat the bushes with a copper-containing preparation - Azofosom. Then, before flowering, - Quickly (according to the instructions). Since the beginning of June, I have been feeding: foliar (I spray it with Crystalon once every two weeks) and root (I sprinkle calcium nitrate, potassium monophosphate in the near-stem circle in rainy weather). And so on until mid-July. In the fall, after harvesting, I repeat the treatment with Skor. For the winter, the bushes can be mulched with peat.

Blueberry cultivation experience for sale 2

Blueberries in perfect order

For the first time, Alexander SIMAGIN tasted blueberries about 15 years ago while visiting a Polish farmer. To say that Alexander liked the treat is to say nothing. But the young man was more impressed by the organization of work on the Pole's berry plantation - there is perfect order and cleanliness around. It was then that the thought flashed through: what if something similar was organized in your homeland? ..

Gradually, the ghostly idea of ​​his "berry business" grew into a clear vision of the task. The confidence that everything will work out was given by the support of Raisa's wife. And then a house in the village of Koski, Minsk region, was inherited from grandparents. The farm "Heather Country" was founded there. Its area is 19 hectares, of which 5 hectares have been allocated for blueberries. Now, in addition to seasonal berries and blueberry planting material, young farmers also grow cranberry and lingonberry seedlings.

Raisa Simagina admits that it was not easy at first.

- It was difficult both physically and financially, and most importantly - the almost complete lack of information at that time on the care of blueberries. Therefore, we moved forward by trial and error. I remember that in one year they bought peat and planted 30,000 cuttings, which in a month ... every last one died. It turned out that it was a matter of low-quality peat. What to do? You sit down, cry, and in the morning you get up and start everything in a new way ... - Raisa jokes.

Alexander, today it is no longer a problem to find information on blueberry care on the Internet. True, each gardener has his own methods, sometimes contradictory ...

- Let's start with the landing. I am a supporter of the fact that blueberries grow in one peat, but it must necessarily be sour (pH - no higher than 4.5). If you want to save money, you can mix it with sand (4: 1) or sawdust (3: 2). Only take stale, rotted sawdust.

Many people confuse high-moor (sphagnum, red) peat with low-lying (black) peat, similar to black soil, in which blueberries, alas, do not grow. This culture does not like oily, fertile soil at all. And no organic matter and manure! Does not tolerate culture and ash! Closed-root blueberries can be planted throughout the growing season.Choose only a sunny area. Pit diameter

- 50-60 cm, depth - 40-50 cm.

But many farmers advise to dig holes 1 × 1 m in size ...

- I don't see the point in such a size, since the root system of blueberries is superficial, and even in a 10-year-old bush it does not always reach 50 cm in diameter. So why dig huge holes in the first place and think where to get so much peat at once? I suggest the following: when the blueberry reaches 6-7 years of age, the crown of the bush will indicate what is the approximate diameter of the roots at this stage. And if you understand what they have achieved

loam, along the perimeter of the near-trunk zone, dig a trench on the bayonet of a shovel, and fill it with fresh high-moor peat. So you will gradually expand the planting hole and rationally use peat.

Another controversial issue: is it worth spreading the roots of the seedling when planting?

- In this case, as a rule, it is impossible to avoid rupture of the roots, their damage, which, in turn, leads to plant diseases. And if the bush does not die after such an execution, then at least a year will not develop. In general, the recommendations to spread the roots refer to 3-4-year-old seedlings, the root system of which has already braided the walls of the container. But in this case, when you get

the plant from the container, the maximum that needs to be done is to lightly "scratch" the root ball around the circumference, then put it in water for 15-20 minutes and plant it in the planting hole at the same depth as the seedling grew in the container.

Better to purchase 2-year-old seedlings. They do not need to touch the roots - after soaking, they are immediately transferred into the hole. Then water the plants well. If there are branches that fall on the ground or come off at right angles from the base, cut them back. All shoots must point straight up.

The first two years after planting is an important stage in the development of the bushes. Do not chase after the first harvest at this time, but remove all flowers, let the plants grow stronger and develop. And taking into account the correct planting and competent care, from a 5-year-old bush you can pick up to 1.5 kg of berries.

An important point in blueberry care is mulching. What material would you recommend to use?

I cover my plantings with chips with a layer of 8-10 cm.It is also possible with bark, but only steamed. Mulching will reduce daily fluctuations in soil temperature, prevent moisture from evaporating, and improve the formation of numerous fibrous roots.

Many advise using butcher's mulch as mulch. But in the heat, after a couple of days, it will turn into dust, i.e. will cease to perform its protective functions. If you use sawdust, keep in mind that they will have to be added every year.

Blueberries do not tolerate chlorine, so you cannot fertilize plants with this element.

What should a blueberry gardener pay special attention to now, in the middle of summer? - In July-August, fruiting begins, and at the same time flower buds are laid on the bushes - next year's harvest. During this period, watering is very important. With a lack of moisture, you will significantly lose your harvest, not only in the current season, but also in the next one. Make sure that the topsoil does not dry out, but at the same time, do not overmoisten it. In dry conditions, water the plants abundantly at least three times a week (5-10 liters per bush).

By the way, about the harvest: how did your blueberries survive this unusual spring?

The cataclysms at the beginning of the season did not affect the plants in any way. The fact is that blueberry flowers can withstand frosts down to -5 degrees. It is much worse if the ovary already gets under the frost. Last year, on June 10, the night temperature dropped to -1 degrees. This was enough to deprive us of some of the harvest.

At what age do you need to feed blueberries?

Immediately after landing. We are not supporters of overfeeding plants, but we cannot do without mineral fertilizers. The first feeding is at the end of April, the second at the end of May. We use special complex mineral fertilizers for blueberries.Previously, I still fed in the summer, but not all the bushes had time to ripen and in winter they froze too much. Now I don't risk it anymore. After harvesting, we apply fertilizers without nitrogen - no later than September 15th. It is possible later, if you are sure that the autumn will be warm. ~) What would you advise to acidify the soil? -

If the planting pits are filled with good high-moor peat, then it will be enough for a year or two. In the future, acidity can be lowered with preparations derived from sulfur - sulfuric acid (10-1 5 ml per 10 l of water) or unused electrolyte (30 ml per 10 l of water - this solution is enough for 1 sq. M).

In winter, hares love blueberries, so you can cover the bushes with a cloth, but not with a film.

To combat pests and diseases in early spring and autumn, at the same time as the orchard is treated, the plants should be sprayed with approved insecticides and fungicides.

I collect blueberries in buckets

For over 30 years, agronomist Valentina BARYSHEVA from the Vitebsk region has been growing blueberries. And he collects excellent harvests - almost a bucket of berries from a bush. Today she shares the basics of growing a valuable crop.

EXPRESS ADVICE

NIKOLAY RUBAN, BREST REGION:

I always mulch blueberry bushes. Since they are planted on peat soil, I use a mineral substrate - sand, gravel. The thickness of the mulching layer is 10 cm, the radius is 50-60 cm.

A place

I fill a hole 60 cm deep and 80 × 80 cm in size with special soil: for 3 buckets of brownish peat with an acid reaction, I take 1 bucket of forest soil and sawdust of coniferous species (better - lying down and with remnants of bark). Before planting, I water the hole with the soil abundantly with water.

Planting time I planted blueberries even in summer, regularly watering them. But the optimal dates are spring (April-May) and autumn (October-November). Before planting, the plants are immersed in water for 5-15 minutes. Then, for seedlings older than 2 years old, grown in pots or bags, I knead the peat ball with my hands and spread the roots slightly to the sides. After planting, I mulch with the bark of coniferous trees (it retains moisture well) and water it abundantly.

Top dressing

Do not add organic matter under the blueberries. Best of all - a complex water-soluble mineral fertilizer with microelements (for a 2-year-old seedling I put in 30 g). Since April I feed once a month, finish in June and early July.

Blueberry pruning

I grow blueberries in one place for 15-17 years, after which I rejuvenate them or plant new plants. I don’t cut off the bushes and don’t cover them - they perfectly tolerate frosts down to -35 degrees, (if the seedlings, with proper care, overwinter lignified). In the spring (March) I remove blackened and damaged branches.

How to acidify the soil

Some hobby gardeners spill blueberries with a vinegar solution to acidify the soil. Valentina Barysheva doesn't do that. He says it's dangerous, especially if you overdo it with concentration - everything can end in burns and plant death. It is better to apply special fertilizers marked "for blueberries" in a timely manner.

Recorded by Nina PISARENKO. Photo from the archive of Valentina BARYSHEVA

Blueberries are not simple, but ... elite

Amateur gardeners, having tasted delicious blueberries, all as one are eager to grow them in their area. True, success largely depends on the quality of the seedlings, which must be varietal and healthy. Now such plants can be obtained using modern in vitro technology.

For more detailed information, I went to the Republican Forest Seed-Breeding Center. Here, in the research department, super-elite planting material is grown. My interlocutors are the head of the department, Candidate of Biological Sciences Anton VOLOTOVICH and Senior Researcher, Candidate of Biological Sciences Oksana KUDRYASHOVA.

Do seedlings obtained using in vitro technology really have an advantage in comparison with plants propagated by our usual green cuttings?

Kudryashova: And not one! Initially, we work only with healthy plants, take a fragment of a shoot with buds, sterilize it and plant it in a nutrient medium under sterile conditions.

After it has begun to grow, we take out a microplant, divide it into separate cuttings and lower it into flasks with a nutrient medium. At the same time, it is important to maintain a certain temperature, air humidity, and light intensity. This stage can be repeated many times. As a result, we can get an unlimited number of plants from one original cuttings. For example, for blueberries, on average, out of 100 fragments in a year, it is possible to get at least 100 thousand rooted plants. For reproduction by green cuttings, it would be necessary to cut a large number of bushes that would bear fruit worse or for some period would not bear fruit at all after such a global "haircut".

Volotovich: With clonal reproduction, we guarantee that varieties are pure and free of any diseases. Another important advantage is bushiness: 4-5 branches develop at once on a plant "from a test tube", i.e. a full-fledged bush is formed. And with ordinary cuttings, we plant one cutting for rooting, which begins to bush only in the 5-6th year. In vitro seedlings are the highest quality plants that, when properly planted and cared for, yield maximum yields.

By the way, about planting: my colleague did not have time to acquire blueberries in the spring. Will she have to wait until next season now?

Volotovich: Although spring (April-May) planting is preferable for blueberries, it can be planted in autumn (September-early October). And seedlings with a closed root system in a container, it is best to purchase exactly those) can be planted throughout the season. For normal growth and development, blueberries need acidic soil (pH - 3.5-5.5). Planting holes with a diameter of 0.6 m and a depth of at least 40 cm are best filled with high-moor peat, and a hill up to 0.5 m high should be poured from it on top.When planting in the summer, it is important to shade the plants from the bright sun for the first time.

Do blueberries need a lot of attention during the height of the summer season?

Kudryashova: First of all, watering is needed, especially in July-August, when the bushes bear fruit and at the same time flower buds are laid, forming the next year's harvest. I advise you to water at least 3 times a week, 1-2 buckets per adult bush (in the evening). In a drought, besides watering, arrange sprinkling from a watering can for blueberries (also in the late afternoon). And so that the moisture in the soil does not evaporate quickly, mulch the bushes with pine bark or wood chips, rotted pine sawdust, cones, and high (sour) peat.

Do you need to feed?

Volotovich: Organic fertilizers cannot be applied under blueberries, only mineral fertilizers. And the best time for this is March-April. It is advisable to use acidic forms of fertilizers in equal parts - ammonium sulfate, potassium sulfate and superphosphate. On the

2-year-old bush - 1 tbsp. full mineral fertilizer, for a 3-year-old - 2, for a 4-year-old - 4, for a 5-year-old - 5. Fertilizers are embedded in the soil around the bush, after which the bush is watered. If blueberries were planted in spring, then for the first time mineral fertilizers, for example, Kristalon special (green), can be applied 3-4 weeks after planting. Adult bushes are also fed in summer - in June and the first half of July.

It is important to stop all fertilizing with nitrogen in the second half of July, so that the shoots have time to woody and are prepared to leave for the winter.

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Investments: from 1 600 000 rubles

Payback: from 3 years

Blueberries are in high demand among consumers, as they have a lot of useful properties.A large amount of vitamin C and pectin substances, which are filled with berries, remove salts of heavy metals and radionuclides from the body. The fruits of this bush are advised by doctors to be eaten by people suffering from gout, rheumatism and gallstone disease. Blueberries also help improve digestion, lower sugar levels, and normalize metabolic processes in the body. The berry growing business is pretty lucrative. In this article, you will learn how to implement such an idea and how much money you need to invest.

Business concept

The advantage of organizing a blueberry business is that the berry can be perfectly processed, so profits can be made evenly, throughout the year, without fear of the off-season.

What is required for implementation?

Before embarking on the implementation of the business idea under consideration, several tasks have to be solved:

• study information regarding the peculiarities of growing shrubs (from planting, feeding, care and before harvesting);
• conduct a market analysis in this area, identify potential competitors, find sales channels for products;
• register an enterprise with tax and government authorities.

Step-by-step startup instructions

1. registration... Registering a business is necessary for any beginning entrepreneur. In this case, you can get the status of an individual entrepreneur and work under a simplified taxation system. The cost of paperwork will be approximately 10,000 rubles.
2. Land plot. If you have sufficient funds, it is better to purchase land as property for a perennial berry plant. You will need to buy at least 1 hectare of land to plant at least 3,500 - 4,000 shrubs. Investments for the acquisition of the site will amount to about 600,000 rubles.
3. Fertilizers and equipment. Usually, shaded land is allocated for the cultivation of blueberries. If it is not possible to plant shrubs in the shade, you will have to constantly moisturize the plants. Fertilization is one of the main conditions for obtaining a high yield. Top dressing is carried out at least twice a year. For it, substrates from peat, sand, sawdust, prepared independently or purchased mixtures can be used. It is better to buy biennial plants. However, they will reach their full bloom at about the 10th year of life and will begin to bear fruit with high quality. Before that, it will also be possible to harvest, but not in such large volumes. The purchase of fertilizers, equipment and seedlings will cost you about 900,000 rubles.
4. Staff. If you are not sure that you are well versed in the nuances of growing blueberries, it is better to hire a specialist. A person knowledgeable in this area will control all processes on your land plot. You will also need to hire several workers involved in feeding, pruning, watering shrubs, picking berries. As for the accounting department, you can involve an external employee who will calculate wages and resolve all issues related to taxes.
5. and search for potential customers. When organizing a marketing campaign, you should pay attention to the Internet. Your own website is an excellent basis for promoting a profitable business. A good result can be obtained if you entrust the distribution of leaflets to promoters among a mass crowd of potential customers. But then it is necessary to ensure that information about an agricultural enterprise attracts attention, arouses confidence, and a desire to purchase products.

Financial calculations

Start-up capital

The money you put into blueberry production will be a long-term investment for up to 50 years. Of course, the initial investment amount is large and amounts to approximately 1,600,000 rubles.

They will include the following expenses (rubles):

• purchase of land - 600,000;
• purchase of fertilizers, seedlings and equipment - 900,000;
• paperwork - 10,000;
• – 50 000;
• other expenses - 50,000.

Monthly expenses

The main current expenses will include labor costs for employees (about 250,000 rubles) and transport (about 20,000 rubles). Total - 270,000 rubles.

How much can you earn?

The average cost of one kilogram of berries is approximately 200 - 250 rubles. For a season, it will be possible to harvest up to 16,500 kg from one hectare. And this is about 4,000,000 rubles.

Payback period

Taking into account the time required for growing shrubs and the beginning of their fruiting, it will be possible to recoup the investment in full in 3-4 years.

Business risks and cons

As for the risks, it should be borne in mind that blueberries are perishable. Therefore, in addition to its cultivation, it is necessary to provide conditions for further processing of surplus berries, or to establish a stable and 100% sales.

Conclusion

Thus, despite the significant investment, the cultivation of blueberries is a promising direction. The return on it is second only to the strawberry business, in contrast to which the blueberry industry has much fewer competitors.