How to Cultivate Goji Berries

The goji berry, or lycium barbarum, is a hardy plant that produces small, red berries. This plant belongs to the same family as the tomato plant. According to Sandra Masona Unit Educator of Horticulture & Environment at Illinois State University, the goji shrub can tolerate temperatures up to 100 degrees F and as low as 10 degrees F. The full-grown goji shrub, which can reach 12 feet in length, is drought-tolerant and does not require rich soil. Lycium barbarum is native to the Himalayan mountains and other areas in Asia.

Garden rake
Garden tiller, if available
Topsoil
Organic matter
Garden hose

Instructions

- 1
  Till or rake an area in your yard with a garden tiller or garden rake. Turn over the top 6 inches of soil. Choose a spot where there is plenty of room and sunlight. A goji shrub will survive in partial sunlight but will produce less berries.
- 2
  Add a 2-inch layer of topsoil onto your garden soil. Use the garden rake to mix the topsoil into the garden soil.
- 3
  Put down a 2-inch layer of organic matter onto the topsoil/garden soil mixture. Work this into the garden soil with a garden rake.
- 4
  Water the soil with a garden hose after planting the goji berry shrub. The soil will need to be moist after planting, but a mature and established goji bush does not need moist soil at all times.
- 5
  Work a 2-inch layer of organic matter into the soil around the goji shrub once per year.

Unique Ways to Plant Strawberries

18th-Century Garden Plants

Growing Berries