Allotments 4 All

Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: pookienoodle on October 07, 2009, 14:16:32

Title: Bilberries
Post by: pookienoodle on October 07, 2009, 14:16:32
Has anyone grown bilberries on their allotment?
I have just seen some bushes for sale and they reminded me of North of England ;D
Anyone had any sucess with them? are they better in a container?
thanks pookie
Title: Re: Bilberries
Post by: valmarg on October 07, 2009, 19:20:24
I thought the bilberry was a native British wild plant. Here in the Staffodshire Moorlands there are places where you can go an pick them for free.  The Victorian Farm TV programme did a bit on these, and the free harvest.

I wouldn't have thought them suitable for allotment growing, rather the American blueberry would be better for cultivation.

valmarg
Title: Re: Bilberries
Post by: amphibian on October 07, 2009, 19:39:46
If blueberries will grow in your soil then so will bilberries. I have bilberries growing in containers, because my soil is not suitable. I love the blighters, if you're interested in growing them do so. If I lived within driving distance of bilberry moorland I wouldn't bother mind.
Title: Re: Bilberries
Post by: pookienoodle on October 07, 2009, 20:35:38
thank you
no bilberries around here(not that I know of)
I will certainly try container growing.
I already have blueberries but bilberries are one of the best fruits imho.
Title: Re: Bilberries
Post by: saddad on October 07, 2009, 21:18:52
We called them "Whinberries" in Rossendale...  very nice but I wouldn't bother trying to grow them unless they got on my "try something tricky" list...  ::)