Growing an unusual and delicious fruit in your garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.
USDA/ARS Photo by Mark Ehlenfeldt.
In 1970, the USDA developed Blueberry ‘Pink Lemonade’. But when researchers brought it to blueberry growers, they were convinced because of its distinctive yellowish-pink fruit that gardeners wouldn’t buy it, thinking it was an unripe blueberry.
Fast-forward to the 2000s: Growing research into the power of cancer-fighting antioxidants as well as the popularity of backyard gardens have gardeners looking for something new and different. That’s led to a surge in popularity of blueberry ‘Pink Lemonade’.
The fruit is definitely sweeter—about two times as much—than a regular blueberry, which means it’s good eaten fresh, in desserts, or as a garnish. The fruit begins as a green color and then turns white, then a lighter pink, finally aging to a darker pink. Ready-to-harvest clusters may still be green on the undersides.
Planted in the right condition, blueberry ‘Pink Lemonade’ shrubs are fairly pest-free. However, they should be protected from deer and rabbits. Birds may eat the fruits before or as they ripen, but can typically be deterred with bird netting.
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by MyGreenLawn