'Last Call®' Blueberry – Vaccinium corymbosum

'Last Call®' lives up to its name: it's one of the last blueberries of the season, allowing you to enjoy fresh fruit until early autumn. This vigorous and productive cultivar is the ideal choice for gardeners who want to maximize their harvest period with high-quality, flavourful berries that store well.

The Harvest: Production and Flavour

The 'Last Call' harvest is one of the latest, extending from late August into September. It is a highly productive cultivar that offers a reliable high yield, ensuring you have an abundance of fruit when most other varieties have finished their season.

• Harvest Period: August, September
• Visual Description: The berries are large and have a beautiful light blue colour, enhanced by a moderate bloom (the fine waxy film). Their shape is distinctive, being slightly flattened.
• Flavour Profile: The flesh is firm and bursts pleasantly in your mouth. Its flavour is a delight: very sweet, but always balanced by a light hint of acidity that makes it refreshing. It has the rich and aromatic taste of a classic blueberry.
• Culinary Uses: Delicious eaten fresh, right after picking. Thanks to its firm flesh, it holds up admirably when baked, which makes it an excellent choice for pies, muffins, and clafoutis. It also lends itself very well to freezing and making homemade jams.

Planting Guide

To ensure a successful planting, follow these key steps:

1. The Ideal Location: Choose a site that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of full sun per day. Ensure the spot is sheltered from strong winds.
2. Soil Preparation: This is the most crucial step! Blueberries require very acidic, well-drained soil. When planting, create an "amendment pocket" by mixing your garden soil in equal parts (50/50) with a potting mix for acid-loving plants.
3. Planting: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Place the plant so that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding ground. Fill the hole with the acidified soil mixture.
4. Pollination:
   • Type: Production is improved with another cultivar.
   • Suggested Partners: To get a maximum harvest, it is highly recommended to plant it with another late-blooming blueberry bush. Its ideal partner is the 'Elliot' cultivar.

Care Guide

• Watering: Maintain consistently moist soil, but never waterlogged. A deep watering once or twice a week is recommended during dry periods. A layer of mulch at the plant's base will greatly help retain moisture.
• Fertilizing: In the early spring, apply a fertilizer for small fruits or a natural garden fertilizer (like 4-5-7 Botanix Natur) according to the package directions. Avoid fertilizing after mid-July.
• Protection:
  • From Birds: As the fruits begin to ripen, cover your plants with protective netting to safeguard your precious harvest.
  • Winter: In colder zones, a thick layer of mulch at the base after the first frosts and the installation of a snow fence can protect young plants from winds and deep cold.

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