Northland blueberries

Northland blueberries are cultivated varieties that are grown in large quantities in Canada and the United States. However, provided good conditions and simple, but correct care are provided, it will grow excellently on our plantation or garden plot, delighting for a long time with a generous harvest of delicious vitamin berries.

Breeding history

The name of the blueberry variety Northland ("Northland") in translation from English means "Northern land". It was obtained at the University of Michigan (USA) as part of a program to develop the most frost-resistant varieties of this crop for growing on an industrial scale.

The work on it was carried out by S. Johnston and J. Moulton since 1948. Scientists managed to cross the tall Berkeley blueberry with 19-N (a hybrid of a low-growing blueberry and a seedling of the Pioneer variety).

Northland was the result of their labors in 1952. This blueberry variety was officially introduced into cultivation in 1967.

Description of berry culture

Northland blueberries are valued not only for their hardiness, high yields and excellent berry taste. Due to its decorative appearance, the plant of this variety looks very impressive on the site in spring, autumn and summer, which gives the landscape designer a luxurious excuse to show imagination.

General understanding of the variety

The Northland blueberry variety is undersized. On average, the height of the bush is about 1–1.2 m, but at the same time it is powerful and spreading. As a rule, it produces a lot of growth, often very dense.

The root system of plants of this variety, like that of blueberries as a whole, is superficial and fibrous. The absence of root hairs is characteristic.

Northland blueberry shoots are smooth, straight. They remain green throughout the year. The branches of an adult plant of this variety are flexible and can withstand large masses of snow.

Northland blueberry leaves are oblong, smooth, with a slightly glossy surface. In summer, their color is bright green, in autumn they acquire a fiery red color. The length of the leaf blade is about 3 cm.

The inflorescences of this blueberry variety are small, five-toothed, bell-shaped. They are painted in a pale pink color.

Berries

Northland blueberries are round, dense, medium in size (up to 1.6 cm). Their skin is not rough, light blue, with a slight bluish bloom. The scar on its surface is dry, medium or small.

The taste of Northland blueberries is sweet, pleasant, with a delicate aroma, very reminiscent of a wild "relative". The variety has been given a high tasting score - 4.0 (on a five-point scale).

Attention! Blueberries are often confused with another similar berry crop - blueberries. However, distinguishing them from each other is not so difficult. Blueberry bush is taller than blueberry, its shoots are firmer, and their bark is lighter. The juice of the berries in the first is light, almost transparent - while in the second it is dark and can easily stain clothes and hands.

Characteristic

Northland blueberries have a number of strengths that set them apart from other garden varieties of this crop.

Main advantages

Frost resistance of this variety is one of its main advantages.According to American sources, Northland blueberries calmly withstand temperature drops in winter to -35 degrees. Its flowers are able to withstand light frost. Bred for the northern United States and Canada, this variety is excellent for cultivation in cold regions with harsh climates.

Caring for Northland blueberries will not seem difficult even for a novice gardener. The main features that should be taken into account are the maintenance of the necessary moisture and acidity of the soil, as well as the correct feeding of the plants of this variety.

Unfortunately, Norland blueberries are not drought tolerant. She feels the lack of moisture very sharply, so it is extremely important to observe the correct watering regime.

Advice! In the dry and hot period of summer, it is advised to additionally irrigate the leaves of the plant of this variety with warm water in the evening.

Northland blueberries are highly recommended for industrial processing. Its berries are well stored and transported. This blueberry variety has worked well on plantations where manual harvesting is practiced; however, it can also be harvested mechanically.

Flowering period and ripening time

Northland blueberry blooms in late spring, abundantly and for a rather long time (about 3 weeks).

In terms of ripening of fruits, the variety belongs to the mid-early: the berries begin to sing from mid-July. This process takes place gradually and usually stretches until the beginning of August.

Attention! Ripe blueberries of this variety quickly crumble, therefore it is recommended to harvest at least a couple of times a week.

Yield indicators, fruiting dates

Northland blueberries are able to bear fruit already in the second year of life.

This variety is famous for its regular, very high yield. On average, 4–5 kg of berries can be picked from a bush, while the maximum amount is 8 kg.

Important! In the most favorable conditions, the Northland blueberry bush can live up to 30 years.

Scope of berries

The purpose of Northland blueberries is universal. Its fruits are very tasty fresh, from which various preparations are excellently obtained (jams, confitures, preserves, compotes) and sweet desserts (jelly, marshmallow). In addition, the berries are perfectly stored dry and frozen.

Disease and pest resistance

The Northland blueberry variety is distinguished by good resistance to pests and a number of diseases, in particular, to the berry mummification virus. However, this crop can still suffer from gray rot, stem cancer, physalosporosis and moniliosis.

Important! If a plant of this variety is damaged by a viral or fungal infection, it is very often necessary to burn the entire bush as a whole.

Most often, Northland blueberries are harmed by aphids, kidney mites and flower beetles.

In addition, birds love to feast on the aromatic sweet berries of this variety. To combat them, it is advised to attach strips of polymer film to the twigs of blueberry bushes, which repels birds with shine and rustling in the wind, or multi-colored ribbons made of fabric.

Advantages and disadvantages of the variety

It is obvious that some of the disadvantages that the Northland blueberry variety is endowed with pale against the general background of its inherent advantages:

Benefitsdisadvantages
High winter hardiness and resistance to low temperaturesWeak drought tolerance
Early ripening of fruitsHypersensitivity to wind and drafts
Low bushIt is often necessary to destroy the entire bush in case of illness.
Sweet, delicious berriesHigh demands on soil acidity
High and stable yieldsSlow breeding rates
Undemanding care 
Good resistance to pests and diseases 
Decorative appearance 

Landing rules

In order for the blueberries to take root and feel good on the site, it is necessary to plant them correctly.

Recommended timing

Planting Northland blueberries in the ground is possible in early spring and early autumn.But experienced gardeners still recommend the first option: then, by the onset of cold weather, the bush will have time to get used to the new conditions and will get stronger.

Choosing the right place

The area in the garden where it is planned to place Northland blueberries should be open and generously illuminated by the sun: this variety practically does not bear fruit in the shade. In this case, the place must be reliably protected from drafts.

Do not plant the Northland blueberry bush near fruit trees. The berries will be sour, as they will not be able to pick up the proper amount of sugar.

Important! It is desirable that the plot of land for planting blueberries of this variety be "rested" - that is, nothing has grown on it for several years.

Soil preparation

Northland blueberries are very sensitive to soil. Optimal for it will be a light, humus-rich substrate - moist, but well-drained.

Warning! The soil must be acidic - have a pH level in the range of 3.5-5.0. The optimal indicator recommended for this variety by American farmers is 4.5-4.8.

An ideal option that combines all of the above qualities is peat (high moor or transitional), as well as mixtures based on it.

Selection and preparation of seedlings

Buy high-quality blueberry seedlings, including Northland, preferably in proven places: special nurseries or at exhibition grounds. Best of all, biennial young plants with a closed root system and shoot lengths from 35 to 50 cm take root.

Before planting in the ground, a container with a seedling of this variety is advised to be placed in a container of water for half an hour. This procedure will help to gently spread the roots.

Algorithm and scheme of landing

Northland blueberries are planted in this way:

  • dig a landing hole about 0.5 m deep and 50-60 cm long and wide;
  • a layer of drainage (gravel or sand) is laid on the bottom;
  • fill the hole with a mixture of peat, soil, coniferous litter and humus;
  • the seedling is carefully lowered, straightening its root system, sprinkled with the finished soil mixture;
  • mulch the soil with peat, sawdust, tree bark or pine nut shells (with a layer of 5–10 cm);
  • water the plant with water - possibly with the addition of citric acid (40 g per 10 l).

Important! In order to ensure the cross-pollination required for berry ovary, several bushes of 3-4 different varieties should be planted on the site.

Northland blueberry planting holes should be placed at a distance of 1.5 m. The distance between rows of bushes of this variety should be 2–2.5 m.

How to properly plant blueberries in the ground and take care of them, you can learn from the video:

Follow-up care of the culture

The Northland blueberry variety is unpretentious in terms of care. However, there are certain nuances that should be taken into account so that the plant does not hurt and gives stable yields.

Necessary activities

It is advised to water Northland blueberries regularly (about 1 time per week, more often during the fruiting period - 1 time per 4-5 days). Approximate rate: 1 bucket of water per adult plant. It should be divided into 2 doses - morning and evening.

Advice! For watering bushes of this variety, it is also convenient to use special drip irrigation systems.

Top dressing of Northland blueberries should be carried out with mineral (nitrogen-containing) or complex fertilizers in three stages:

  • at the beginning of sap flow (half of the annual rate);
  • another quarter is brought in at the time of flowering;
  • the remainder is added at the time of the ovary harvest.
Warning! You cannot feed blueberries with organic fertilizers - they are destructive for it!

The necessary procedures for the care of Northland blueberries include loosening the soil. It is performed several times during the season. It should be borne in mind that the roots of the plant are located close to the surface - accordingly, the soil should be loosened carefully, without going deeper into the ground by more than 10 cm.

An important technique to help suppress growth weeds, retain moisture and enrich the soil with organic matter - mulching.The layer of mulch under the bushes of this blueberry variety can be within 5 cm. As such, you can use cut grass, peat or shredded tree bark.

Shrub pruning

Regular and correct pruning of Northland blueberries is the key to its health and productivity.

For sanitary purposes, this procedure is carried out in the spring, starting from 2-4 years of age of the bushes. It helps to form a strong skeleton of the plant and serves as the prevention of branch fractures during fruiting under the weight of berries.

Important! To increase the yield of Northland blueberries, it is recommended to cut off shoots older than 6-7 years.

In summer and autumn, through pruning, they get rid of dried and diseased branches.

In annual plants of this variety, it is recommended to remove flowers in the spring.

Preparing for winter

Northland is a frost-resistant blueberry variety. However, in regions where low temperatures can persist for a long time, he will need shelter in the winter.

As such, burlap, spunbond or any other breathable material is used, stretched over a base of pegs or arcs.

Important! Do not use plastic wrap for this purpose!

Diseases and pests, methods of control and prevention

The most common diseases that Northland blueberries can suffer from are:

DiseaseManifestationsControl and prevention measures
Stem cancerThe appearance of reddish spots on the leaves and bark, which quickly darken and increase in size. The stems begin to dry outThe affected organs must be excised and burned. Fungicide treatment (Topsin, Fundazol). For prevention purposes, avoid waterlogging of the soil and excess nitrogen fertilizers
Gray rotInfected organs (branches, leaves, fruits) first acquire a brown or reddish color, then turn gray and quickly die
PhysalosporosisSmall, swollen, reddish spots that appear on young branches. The next year, extensive wounds form on the shoots, contributing to their death.Pruning and burning affected branches. Spraying with Bordeaux liquid, Fundazol, Topsin
MoniliosisFungus damage to flowers, leaves, and branches that begin to look as if damaged by frost. Fruits with moniliosis are mummifiedTreatment of plants with Bordeaux liquid after harvest

There are not so many pests that interfere with this blueberry variety. The most common ones are:

PestAppearance and activityControl and prevention measures
AphidColonies of small insects on shoots and young leaves in the lower part of plants. Carrier of a number of viral diseases (stem cancer). The affected organs are deformedEffective treatment with insecticides (Karate, Calypso, Actellik)
Kidney miteA tiny (0.2 cm) white insect with 4 long legs. Winters in leaf axils. Since spring, it settles on leaves, buds, flowers. It feeds on plant sap. Galls are formed on the bark, becoming the focus of virusesTreatment before bud break with iron vitriol, Nitrofen preparations, KZM
Flower beetleA small (0.4 cm) dark beetle, the body of which is covered with brown specks. The adult damages the kidneys. The larvae feed on the stamens and pistils of flowers, secrete mucus, which prevents the buds from opening. Flowers dry and fall offProcessing of soil and blueberry leaves with Fufan, Intravir. Periodically shaking off and collecting insects from branches

Conclusion

Northland blueberry is a frost-resistant, undersized, high-yielding variety of this crop, bred in the United States. Due to a number of positive qualities, it is deservedly popular with our gardeners. In general, Northland is an unpretentious variety, but its care and cultivation on the site requires certain knowledge and skills in order for blueberries to take root well, decorate the garden and delight with yield.

Testimonials

Viktor Petrovich Zubarev, 37 years old, Kaliningrad
For several years now I have been growing "Americans" Northland and Patriot in my garden, several bushes each. I'm happy with them. The Patriot variety has larger berries and tastes better.In this respect, Northland is slightly inferior - its fruits are smaller and sour. The last variety was planted later in order to ensure good cross-pollination and a larger yield. As a result, I did not notice much difference in the volumes collected from the Patriot bushes. However, there are already a lot of them.
Ekaterina Andreevna Metisheva, 47 years old, Dmitrov
The Northland variety is my first experience in growing blueberries. The soil on my site is not very good for this plant, clayey. However, I found on the Internet advice from the nursery for a similar case. When planting, it was recommended to sprinkle the hole well with peat, place a seedling with an earthen clod, and overlay everything around with peat well. Then it was necessary to water and sprinkle with native soil. And so I did. What is most interesting is that the bush bloomed in the first year, although I was sure that this should not be expected until next year.
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