Do you love the taste and health benefits of blueberries?  Would you like a fruit crop that will produce well in a short amount of time and doesn't require a lot of space (and can even be grown in a container)?  Have you tried growing blueberries and had poor results?  This post is for you!  Learn how to grow blueberries at home in your own backyard.

Why Should I Grow Blueberries?

I would grow blueberries at home just for the taste alone.  A perfectly ripened blueberry warm off the bush is a lovely thing, and some home varieties (such as Rubel) pack an extra flavor punch.  Blueberries are a super fruit, packed with health benefits.  The World's Best Foods states that blueberries are loaded with antioxidants and phytonutrients that benefit nearly every system in the body.

Blueberries
-Help improve memory and may help prevent age-related memory loss
-Have a low glycemic index and may also aid in regulating blood sugar levels
-Improve cardiovascular health
-Protect the retina from oxygen damage
-May help prevent cancer

Which blueberries should I grow?

Different varieties can be grown from Texas to Canada. I'd recommend checking in with your local Cooperative Extension office, or asking neighbors who have had success in growing berries for specific cultivars that are best suited to your area.  Mother Earth News has a great chartthat summarizes recommended blueberry types for different regions.

Basic blueberry types include lowbush (cold tolerant, less productive), northern highbush(zone 5-7 or colder), southern highbush (zones 7-10), rabbiteye (best for southern growers) and saskatoon (not a true blueberry, but extremely cold tolerant).