How to Grow a Goji Berry Plant
Introduction
Goji berries are a popular superfood that are packed with vitamins and antioxidants. They’re easy to grow at home and can be eaten fresh or dried.
Choosing a Location
Goji berry plants can grow in full sun or partial shade, and they’re tolerant of drought and wind. They can be grown as free-standing bushes, hedges, or trained on a wall or fence.
Planting
The best time to plant goji berries is in the autumn. Choose a spot with well-drained soil and dig a hole that is twice the width of the root ball. Place the plant in the hole and backfill with soil, tamping down gently to remove any air pockets.
Care
Water your goji berry plant regularly, especially during the first year after planting. Mulch around the base of the plant to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Prune the plant in early spring to remove dead or damaged branches.
Harvesting
Goji berries ripen in late summer and autumn. Harvest them as soon as they are ripe, when they are a deep orange color.
Varieties
There are several named varieties of goji berries available, including:
- Lycium
Big Lifeberry: Vigorous and free fruiting, producing large berries. - Lycium
Lubera Instant Success: Compact-growing and produces fruit from a young plant. - Lycium
No 1 Lifeberry: Bred for commercial fruit production in China, with large, sweet-tasting fruits. - Lycium
Sweet Lifeberry: Large-growing, producing sweet-tasting fruit. - Lycium
Synthia: Sweeter-tasting berries due to the higher sugar content.
Conclusion
Goji berry plants are easy to grow and care for, and they produce a delicious and nutritious fruit. With a little care, you can enjoy fresh goji berries from your own garden for years to come.
