GOJI BERRY PLANTING GUIDE

for the

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Goji Berry plants will handle winter temperatures down to minus 15 degrees F and summer temperatures of 100 degrees F.  They can grow to a height of 8 to 10 feet tall.  Pruning is recommended to help promote fruit production.

Site Selection - The Goji Berry plant is very similar to other fruit and vegetable plants.  Goji plants love sun and well drained soils.  If planting in a heavier clay soil we suggest supplementing the soil to improve drainage or plant in a raised bed.  If full sun is not possible, your plant will not yield to its full potential.

Site Preparation - The desired soil pH for Goji Berry plants is 6.5 - 7.5.  Check your soil before planting and add lime is necessary.  Work your soil to a depth of 8 - 10 inches.  Remove all competing weeds.  

Planting - Your Goji Plant is a plug plant that has been grown in a greenhouse.  Be sure that the danger of frost has passed before transplanting your Goji outdoors.  Dig a hole that is slightly bigger than the Goji plug.  Depth should be slightly deeper than the depth of the plug.  Place the Goji plug into the hole and pack the soil around it making sure that the top of the plug is not exposed to sunlight.  If it is exposed to sunlight, it will act as a wick and dry out the entire plug.  Once covered, water and maintain moisture as needed.  During establishment it is very important not to let the Goji dry out.  After the first year the Goji will start to develop an extensive root system and become drought tolerant.  However irrigation will always help to increase yields.    

Fertilizer - As with any plant, it needs food in order to grow.  You have the option of using organic fertilizers or conventional fertilizers.  The Goji needs a balance of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium.  Whatever you decide, use a fertilizer source that has a 1-2-2 ratio (5-10-10 or comparable).  Apply it early in the spring.  A second application about 2 months after planting and a third about 1.5 months later.  Example-first application in May, second application in July, third application in late August.  When applying fertilizer, spread it around the drip line of the bush.  About 1/2 cup is sufficient per application.  Then lightly incorporate it into the top one inch of soil using care to not damage the roots.  

Pruning - A Goji will take over if not pruned.  They will grow a height of 10 feet and 6 feet wide if not pruned.  You may want this large of a plant and if you do, watch it grow and enjoy.  If not, we suggest pruning once a year keeping the plant at about 5 feet tall and about 3 feet wide.  This will help to force more fruit.  You can prune at the end of the growing season or in very early spring before it breaks dormancy.  Trellising may also be used to train the branches which will ease the harvesting.  Be careful while harvesting the Goji berries, they will turn black if you touch them while they are still a green color.