The climatic conditions of the Moscow region are ideal for growing common barbarum or, as this plant is commonly called worldwide, goji berries. Now it is hard to find a man who was not heard of the miracle goji berries. They help not only with weight loss, but also are an excellent healer for many diseases, contain a large number of useful trace elements. And most importantly - they do not need to look in stores, but you can grow yourself and pamper your body all year round.
a brief description of
Goji in Chinese means "dereza", and they are called by the people. The plant belongs to the family Solanaceae. Dereza is a richly growing shrub that grows up to 3 m in height.
The branches of the bush are prickly with small leaves growing on them. The rhizome grows powerful shoots deep underground. 
Important! Be very careful, as goji berries can thin the blood. That is why they are not recommended to take people who are prone to bleeding. This can cause significant harm to a person or, in the worst case, lead to death.
If you start to grow goji berries at home, then over time they will become more decorative: the branches will become a more pleasant yellowish tinge, the leaves will become green above and gray-blue below.
Blossoming wankers admire from June to October. The flowers take on a shade of pink to dark purple and have a delicate, pleasant scent.
When the berries ripen, they completely envelop the branch, have an elongated shape and bright red color. The average length of the fruit is about 2 cm. The plant begins to bear fruit three years after planting. 
How to choose seedlings when buying
Always carefully choose seedlings for the future of the plant, because your choice will affect the entire harvest in the next few years.
Follow these guidelines:
- Trust only trusted sellers, and better - buy seedlings in nurseries. So you will be completely confident in the quality of the variety.
- An important aspect is the presence of a special tag with the name of the variety attached to the seedling itself.
- Sapling tree trunks need to buy without leaves. Although it seems that a small bush with green leaves is better to choose, it’s still an erroneous opinion, and such a seedling will live for a very short time.
- Be sure to pay attention to the roots, they in no case can not be dry. The plant is best bought with a small lump of earth.
- Check goji seedlings for traces of pests or diseases.
You can also grow other fruit shrubs in your summer cottage: actinidia, blueberries, raspberries, rose hips, sea buckthorn, physalis, black and red currants, honeysuckle, blueberries.By following these simple guidelines, you can choose healthy and high-quality seedlings, which in a few years will delight you with a rich harvest.
Selection and preparation of the site
Goji berries are best suited alkaline soil, but they can grow with any soil composition. Choose a place where a large amount of sunlight gets, and the water does not stagnate.
To prepare a place for planting a seedling, dig a hole 50-60 cm wide and 40 cm deep. When planting several bushes, place the holes at a distance of 1.5-2 meters from each other.
For better growth and development of the plant, pour about 200 g of superphosphate, as well as 9-10 kg of humus and 40 g of wood ash into the pit, mix it all up.
Step-by-Step Instruction Landing
If you are interested in how the goji berries are grown, and you want to do this in the Moscow region, then the detailed instructions for planting this shrub are described below.
Seedlings can both be purchased in the store, and grow yourself. Goji seeds sprout fairly quickly and do not need treatment. 
Soak them before landing in a solution of "Zircon" or "Appin" and wait a couple of hours. Pick a medium soil, preferably neutral acidity.
Did you know? Tibetan monks still throw goji berries into wells, from which they drink water. They believe in their healing and rejuvenating properties, which are the key to their well-being and longevity.
For seedlings, choose a well-lit warm place where it is easy to maintain the necessary humidity and temperature. Avoid drafts or overheating from various sources of heat.
When the seedlings have sprouted, put them in a slightly darkened place, and after the appearance of several green leaves you can plant them in different pots about 7 cm deep. So it will be more convenient for the roots because of their rapid growth.
When the seedling is ready to be planted in the ground, properly prepare a hole for it, as described above. Dig in the ready bush when planting, pour water well and grumble with peat. If you grow goji berries from seeds, they will bloom in the second year, but they will give fruit in the third or fourth.
It is best to plant seedlings in the spring when the air temperature is above 20 ° C; in the fall, this is not recommended, as there is a high risk of plant death in winter.
Did you know? In China, goji berries are used as a wasteless plant. In certain doses and proportions, you can effectively use their leaves, bark, berries for the preparation of medicinal beverages and drugs.
Given the climatic conditions of the Moscow region, it is recommended to plant a bush first in a greenhouse, in which it should be kept for 6 months.
In the first months after planting, there is a very slow development of the seedling. Externally, the plant is similar to a tomato bush, but gradually grows faster, and the height is about 80 cm.
As it develops, green leaves appear, flowering begins in the form of small purple and white flowers that hold until the first frost. 
How to care
The most important care for goji berries in their first year of life. It is during this period that the plant is most vulnerable and exposed to various environmental threats.
Watering
The first two years for the plant are decisive for him. So take it seriously.
Important! When watering woodwinds, it is important not to allow either the soil to dry out or to overmoisten. Loose roots can die from excess moisture, especially at low temperatures.
You can use the shelter trunks special film during prolonged frosts or rains. In adulthood, shrub is resistant to both drought and rainfall. Additionally, you need to water only during the dry season, if the plant is located under direct sunlight. 
Top dressing
In order to grow a healthy shrub, fertilize the soil before planting seedlings in it. After that, every spring in the spring period, apply compost and special organic fertilizers with a high content of potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus.
If you are a novice gardener, you can purchase ready-made mixtures for fertilizer in a specialized store. Compost and other mineral supplements can be prepared by yourself.
Learn more about the beneficial properties of goji berries.
Pruning
The growth of wolfberry occurs at a fairly fast pace, and soon the plant can reach a height of 3-4 meters. Pruning the bush is carried out in order to increase yields and improve appearance.
To do this, remove the extra skeletal branches, leave the strongest. The formation of fruit shoulders occurs on them, and then fruit branches form on the shoulders themselves. To stimulate their growth, make annual pruning of the branches, as a result of which leave no more than four buds on each. It will also be useful to build a special support structure for the bush so that its shoots do not spread along the ground.
Experienced gardeners recommend regular pruning of the bush, so it will be much easier to care for it. This, of course, will affect the amount of the harvest, but the berries in this case will be much larger. From this increases the content of useful nutrients.
Wintering
Goji berries are winter-resistant enough and can tolerate temperatures down to -25 ° C. However, for this wreck it is necessary to provide good shelter using a sponge or non-woven material.
In principle, light frostbite for a plant is not particularly dangerous, as it is able to recover quickly with the help of young shoots. 
If you are still afraid of frost damage to the bush, plant the plant in deep containers and store them in basements until the very spring.
Disease and pest prevention
As well as any plant, wood bark is also subject to attack by pests and various diseases. It can suffer from the harmful effects of aphids, the Colorado potato beetle, the caterpillars of the winter moth. When fighting with these parasites will help you infusion of wormwood.
Did you know? The first mention of goji berries are found in manuscripts dating back to 650 BC. Oe., where they are described as the best medicine for old age. Hence the legends about their extraordinary healing properties.If while planting a goji berry seedling there was a lack of wood ash, then over time, the leaves may show signs of diseases such as phytophthora or powdery mildew.
To avoid their manifestation, take care of this from the very beginning of cultivation. Use only alkaline soil and conduct timely thinning of the plantings. 
Did you know? There is evidence of one resident of the Himalayas, who, thanks to the daily use of these berries, lived for 252 years.
Cultivation of common chunks at home is a fairly common occupation among residents of the Moscow region. The climate of this area is optimal for the growth and development of berries, which in the future will be an excellent helper and doctor for you.
However, it should be remembered that the concentration of useful substances in such plants is very small. And if you do use them in order to improve your health, then it is advisable to purchase real goji berries grown in their native land in compliance with all the necessary conditions. 
