Marinova Kmetija

We have been growing American blueberries since the beginning of the 1990s, when we planted the first few bushes. Today, the plantation covers a little more than a hectare and is located in a corner of the Ljubljana Marshes, where there are favorable conditions for growing American blueberries.

America's Blueberries They are more popular every year - some of them due to the content of substances beneficial to health, and for others because of their excellent taste. They are definitely the tastiest fresh, just picked, and their aroma can be enjoyed all year round, as they are also suitable for various pastries, jams, dumplings, brandy and much more. More suggestions for their use and recipes can be found under the section Recipes.

You can buy these tasty and healthy fruits from us, but you can also collect them yourself, as we are among the few growers who make this possible. In addition to spending the day a little differently, you also save at the same time, because in this case blueberries are cheaper.

Where did the name "American" blueberry come from?
The name itself somehow makes us that American blueberries have some kind of connection with America, which is, after all, true. American blueberries (lat. Vaccinium corymbosum) are indigenous only to North America and we started growing them in Europe for their large and sweet fruits. Common forest and American blueberries belong to the shrub genus (lat. vaccinium), which, for example, also includes cranberries.

Are they demanding to raise?
It is typical for American blueberries that they need acidic humus soil for their growth (low pH), which enables their cultivation in some parts of the Ljubljana Marshes. American blueberries are quite demanding plants to grow, because in addition to the "acidic" soil, an adequate amount of moisture and the sun is also necessary for the fruits to ripen. The harvesting season also depends on the blueberry variety itself, some early varieties (Duke, Patriot) can ripen as early as the beginning of June, while late varieties (Darrow, Elliot) can also ripen in September.

Why are blueberries useful and healthy?
In today's stressful pace, which is reflected in many diseases, we should not neglect the beneficial effect on health.

Some well-known facts about blueberries:

• inhibit the development of degenerative brain diseases (age-related diseases)
• help improve psychomotor skills (balance, coordination)
• They stimulate the expansion of blood vessels, and inhibit blood clotting and consequently prevent the formation of blood clots
• have an anti-inflammatory effect
• inhibit the formation of cancer, as their acid hinders the formation of metabolic reactions in the body
• They help with diarrhea and constipation (eliminate flatulence and cramps) regulate blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol
• They protect against the negative effects of UV rays, maintain a healthy appearance of the skin and slow down its aging.
• They improve vision, especially night vision.

It is gratifying that even people with diabetes can afford them without a guilty conscience, for which many fruits are on the black list due to their excessive sugar content, and American blueberries are even recommended due to their positive effect.

About the plantation...
The beginnings of our plantation date back to 1991, when we planted the first few American blueberry bushes. Today, the plantation covers an area of more than a hectare, on which we grow more than 20 varieties of American blueberries: from early varieties such as Duke, EarlyBlue, mid-range such as Patriot, Bluecrop, Blueray, Berkeley and Until late e.g. Elliot, Elizabeth...

Work in the plantation begins already in mid-February with pruning, continues with fertilizing, mowing, placing a net against birds and hail - all these work must be done before the season. During the season, of course, picking, collecting orders, packing and selling is a priority. The work in the plantation ends in October, when the net is twisted again and tied up until the following year.

The season usually starts in the middle or At the end of June and ends in the middle of the end of August. The peak of the season is usually in the middle of July, which is also the most favorable time for larger orders (freezing, winter...) Of course, the weather is a key factor that affects the beginning, the duration of the season and the quality of the crop.

I want to pick blueberries myself.
If you would like to pick blueberries yourself, this is possible in the plantation from Monday to Saturday between 8:00 and 12:30 and in the afternoon between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m., and on Sundays by appointment. You can see how to get to the plantation here.

You can buy at home every day from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. We recommend that you order the blueberries in advance and get them in this way, and in addition, we will pack them for you at the agreed time, so that you just pick up the blueberries and avoid waiting.