Goji Berry Growing Info Learn About How To Grow Goji Berries

How long does it take to grow goji berries?

Goji berry plants can be grown from seed, but this method takes a minimum of three years from planting to produce fruit. Bare root goji berry plants, which you can purchase at your local nursery or garden center, reach full production by the second year.

Where do Goji berries grow best?

In China, where most of the world's commercial Goji berry production is found, most plants with high quality fruit are of Lycium barbarum L.

Are goji berries easy to grow?

The goji berry is harvested from two species of boxthorn: Lycium chinense and Lycium barbarum, both in the Solanaceae, or nightshade, family. Why should you grow goji berries? This shrub is easy to grow and will reward you with loads of nutritious berries over a long harvest season.

How do you train a goji berry bush?

Generally it is best to let the first year of growth go unpruned. This will result in more fruit the first year. In the spring, pick the strongest and most upright stem for training, either on a trellis or to become a stand-alone plant as illustrated below. If using a trellis approach, prune as for grapes.

Can you eat goji berries raw?

You can eat them raw or soak them in hot water before munching. Others prefer adding goji berries to trail mixes, smoothies or as a garnish on cereals, salads or yogurts.

Do Goji berries need full sun?

Exposure: Full sun is best, but tolerates a bit of shade. Water: The plants tolerate some drought once established, but for best fruit set and quality, water regularly. Soil: Any well-drained soil will do. Staking: Goji naturally wants to sprawl and creep along the ground.

What type of soil do goji berries like?

Plant in full sun in an area with well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5-7.0. Goji berry prefers a moist soil with several inches of organic matter or compost mixed in. Prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 6-12 inches removing any debris, and lightly raking as level as possible.

Do Goji berry plants lose their leaves in winter?

Goji plants are deciduous, which means they drop their leaves every year, usually after the first frost. The Lycium barbarum variety of goji berry plants are a perennial in zones 3 to 10. Which means they will survive the winter and come back to bear fruit the next year.

Can Goji berries grow in containers?

Goji berry plants make great patio plants outdoors and can also be grown as an indoor plant. Goji berry plants were grown in the container you receive and are ready to be planted into a larger container. Any container six inches or greater will provide adequate room for roots to grow.

Is Goji Berry invasive?

On the plus side, this deciduous shrub, also called goji berry, is hardy to at least Zone 6 and produces tasty red fruit high in antioxidants and vitamins A and C. ... On the minus side, it can be invasive if untended.

What is goji berries good for?

Goji berries are packed with many vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. They're associated with many health benefits, including improving blood sugar control, helping with weight loss, fighting aging and protecting against cancer. Nevertheless, more human studies are needed.

How do you eat goji berries?

There are many ways to get goji berries into your diet:

Eat them raw.
Use them in cooking.
Drink goji fruit juice.
Take a goji supplement.
Use them in an herbal tea.

When should goji berries be pruned?

Pruning goji berries should be done after the first full year of growth. Once the plant has been established for a year and after it has fruited in the second year, prune it to control its size and remove unwanted branches.

How do you winterize goji berries?

Preparing Goji Berries for the Winter Season

The only special treatment that I give the goji berries to prepare them for winter is to apply a mulch of straw or shredded leaves around the base of the plant and to provide protection against animals grazing the young plants.

Why do my goji berries not bear fruit?

Goji berries don't usually set fruit for the first two or three years. They need well-drained soil in a sunny spot, and don't like being overwatered. I have had three white hostas for several years – two in pots, one in the garden.

Why Goji berries are bad for you?

Most of the possible side effects of eating too many goji berries are caused by over-consuming certain nutrients such as fiber, potassium, and selenium, which in excess can cause digestive issues.

How many goji berries should you eat a day?

One of the recommended therapies in the treatment of atrophic gastritis is to consume twice daily with 10 g Lycium fruits each time. Besides that, 15 g of goji berries per day is considered beneficial to supply adequate zeaxanthin which is estimated at 3 mg/day as a dietary supplement for eye health [4].

Do you need to wash dried goji berries?

Also Know, should you wash dried goji berries? There is no need to soak dry goji. You could simply wash them in warm water for 1-2 times to wash away the pesticides and dust. ... Answer: You can eat them raw or soak them in hot water before munching.

Why are my goji berries bitter?

Fresh goji berries are more bitter than sweet, and very few people likes eating them fresh. This is probably one of those fruits that can definitely scare kids away. ... Once the goji berries are dried, they lose most of the bitter taste and would be close to cranberries and cherries in terms of flavor.

How do you fertilize goji berries?

The best fertilizer for your Goji plant is rose fertilizer or anything that is used for woody plants. If growing more than one Goji plant outside in the garden, be sure to plant them 5 to 7 feet apart to allow plenty of room for growth and to make harvesting the berries easier.

How do you look after goji berries?

Mix in some slow release general fertilizer every spring or use a tomato-based fertilizer every two weeks. Water regularly if required. Control size with yearly pruning to half size, which also reduces the harvest. If direct planted, goji plants prefer a free draining soil enriched with well rotted manure.