how to plant blueberries

The varieties mentioned here are old favorites. The absolute best time to plant blueberries is in late autumn or … A: Blueberries will grow well here, but you must accommodate their need for acidic soil conditions. Cultivated blueberries are continually being bred for higher yields, heat and cold tolerance, and better pest resistance. Blueberries thrive in acidic, well-drained soil. Types of Blueberries to Try Lowbush blueberries are native to colder parts of North America. You can plant blueberry bushes as close as 2 or 2.5 feet apart to form solid hedgerows, or space them up to 6 feet apart so they grow individually. Fruit is borne on buds formed during the previous growing season in late summer. Most home gardeners will need to prepare special high acid soil in order to provide the proper blueberry plant care. If you see yellowing progressing, have your soil pH tested, and make adjustments. Blueberries are shallow-rooted and need at least a couple of inches of water each week, more during dry spells. Blueberry plants should be spaced in a row about 4 to 5 feet apart; adjacent rows should be spaced 9 to 10 feet apart, which will provide plenty of room for harvesting. For colder northern climates, these are the main varieties: For warmer southern climates, consider these more popular choices: Most blueberry plants will start to produce a small harvest by their third year, but won’t begin to produce fully until about their sixth year. Mulch after planting. Blueberries are typically used in the landscape as hedges for screening purposes, but they can also be used in cluster plantings, or as single specimen plants. Some other common blueberry diseases to keep an eye out for include: Blueberries are popular in home gardens because they can grow in a small space, even in containers. When to Plant Blueberries Blueberry bushes need to be planted as early in the spring as possible. This will vary from plant to plant, but it's usually about 20 inches deep and 18 inches wide. Blueberries contain small seeds almost not recognizable in comparison with other berries like raspberries or blackberries. Unfortunately, scavenging birds may get to the fruit before you do. University of Maine Cooperative Extension fruit and vegetable specialist David Handley demonstrates how to plant high bush blueberries. This helps to keep the ground moist, prevent weeds, and enrich the soil. You can mix some peat moss into your planting hole to keep the soil loose, acidic, and well-draining. The best time to plant them is in fall or winter, but if given regular water, container blueberries can be planted anytime. Choose a bright spot with 6-8 hours of sun per day. Northern highbush blueberries are natives of North America. You can mix some peat moss into your planting hole to keep the soil loose, acidic, and well-draining. Once you’ve selected your blueberry plants, keep these tips in mind to ensure success in growing blueberries. Most blueberries grown for fruit are also handsome plants for hedges or shrub bordersand they grow well in containers. Since these companions for blueberries have low nitrogen content, plow them under the fall before spring blueberry planting. It’s best to grow blueberries in an area where water is readily available so you can keep their roots moist throughout the growing season. The flower buds will be larger, plumper, and rounder than the pointed leaf buds. Plant two or more varieties for successful pollination. They also like soil rich in organic matter. It is USHBC policy that membership on the Council and its committees reflect the diversity of individuals served by its programs. It also helps to give your plants plenty of space for good air circulation, plant in full sun, clean up any fallen debris, and replace the mulch annually, so the spores cannot over-winter in the area. You can leave the flowers on for the third year. The only reliable way to know if blueberries are ready to pick is to taste one or two. The flowers appear in clusters of small, white, bell-shaped blooms in late spring, leading to deliciously edible berries that ripen from green to a deep purple-blue. For additional guidance on planting blueberries in your home garden, contact your local county Cooperative Extension office. If changes in the pH are needed, it’s best to make them a year before planting blueberries. If you live in a warmer climate, plant anytime in the fall or winter, so long as you can provide regular water. Blueberry plants are naturally resistant to many common pests and diseases. Be sure the plants get a deep watering at least once per week. Be sure to always water thoroughly after fertilizing. In early spring, choose a healthy shoot and cut off the last 5 inches of growth from the tip of the stem. When selecting blueberry bushes, the best choice is bare-root plants that are 2 to 3 years old. Berries are produced on branches in their second year of growth, so it’s important to be constantly renewing the blueberry bush. Blueberries are their sweetest if allowed to stay on the plant at least a week after turning blue. Cover plants with bird netting when the blueberries begin showing up. Remove all but the top two or three leaves, and plant the cutting immediately in a moist growing medium. How to Plant Blueberries When selecting blueberry bushes, the best choice is bare-root plants that are 2 to 3 years old. Maintenance pruning in subsequent years aims at thinning out the older branches to encourage new growth. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. To ensure that you can grow better blueberries over the years, you’ll want to … Raised beds or patio containers are good options for planting blueberries in areas where the soil is not ideal. When the ground is workable, it’s time to get out there and put the bushes into the ground. If you plant in rows, allow 8 to 10 feet between the rows. Blueberries include several species of flowering, fruiting shrubs within the Vaccinium genus, all native to North America. Dig an 18" hole (around and deep) for the small gallon container blueberry plant, adjust accordingly for smaller plants Amend the soil if necessary Remove the blueberry plant from the pot, loosening the root ball and spreading the roots Place the blueberry plant in the hole along with any soil amendments In most areas, it is ideal to plant in the fall or spring although in many regions you can plant year round. USHBC programs are open to all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, genetic information, parental status and marital or family status. Cover the soil around the shrubs with organic mulch to maintain the soil moisture and control weeds. Ask your local garden center for fertilizer recommendations and follow the instructions on the label. Keep the soil moist throughout the growing season. Beginning in the fourth year, prune your blueberry bushes in early spring, while they are still dormant. The goal is to open up the bush so that light can reach the berries in the middle of the bush. When purchasing blueberries, select at least two varieties for cross-pollination. Tricia shows you how to plant and grow delicious, nutritious blueberries in containers and in the garden. Plants won't have much fruit the first 2 to 3 years. Mound the plant’s top soil about 1/2 inch higher than the existing ground and firm around root ball. Don’t fertilize your blueberries in their first year. Blueberry Bush: Planting, Care, Pruning and Harvesting Instructions. The rootball should be just below the surface (one-quarter to one-half inch). You won’t get many berries, but no pruning is necessary until the fourth year. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to get the latest recipes, blog posts, healthy living tips and more. Grow it in a sheltered location until the cutting develops a good network of roots. For container-grown bushes, plant them about 1 inch deeper than they were in the nursery pot. Soil preparation is crucial to the health of blueberry plants. If you purchased containerized blueberry plants, remove from pot and lightly roughen up the outside surface of the root ball. It is best to plant blueberries in a cluster or row, where they will cross-pollinate. More likely, this symptom is telling you that the soil pH is too high and the blueberry plants cannot access the iron that is already there. Plant breeders keep improving the vigor and disease resistance of fruit trees, so it’s hard to recommend varieties without updating them every season. Before you begin, read up on how to plant blueberries and stop by your local garden center to ask an expert about the best blueberry varieties for your region. Netting can be successful if you have only a few bushes, but if you have a large blueberry garden, consider using a bird deterrent that sends out a bird-in-distress call, which will repel birds. Blueberries grow best in partial shade to full sun and moist, sandy, porous, well-draining soil with a pH of 4.5 to 5.0. Tifblue blueberry produces big, delicious berries on hardy bushes 3-15 feet tall and 3-10 feet wide. Oh, and don’t worry, all the hard work will pay off when you serve homemade and homegrown blueberry muffins for breakfast! Your plants will get bigger and more vigorous because of this. If you grow legumes as your blueberry cover crop, you can plow them in a month up to 30 days before planting the berries. Planting Blueberries Blueberries prefer a sunny location with fertile, well-drained, acid soil (pH 4.5 to 5.5) amended with organic matter. Berries form on the fruiting spurs of side branches. Check with your local Cooperative Extension office for the most current recommendations for your area. Blueberries are best planted in early spring. There are some fungal diseases that can affect blueberries, including powdery mildew and leaf spot diseases. The berries are large, light blue and ripen later in the season, usually in mid-June to late July. Blueberries can also be grown in containers filled with an acidic, bark-based planting mix. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, Rich, well-draining; high in organic matter. Dig the hole twice the size of the roots, and back-fill with a rich compost mixture. Immediately water the pot thoroughly to settle the soil and eliminate any air gaps around the plant's roots. Plant in Late Autumn or Early Spring. For best results, fertilize your blueberry plants once in early spring and again in late spring. If you plant in rows, allow 8 to 10 feet between the rows. Once your blueberry plants are established, they will respond well to acid fertilizers such as rhododendron or azalea formulations. Prune out any dead or injured branches, any crossing branches, and any weak, spindly branches. Insects to be on the lookout for include: blueberry tip borer, cherry fruit worm, cranberry fruit worm, and plum curculio. Dig a hole that's twice as wide as the container and the same depth. Also, it is simpler to maintain low soil pH in a single place as compared to multiple plots across your garden. Tifblue tolerates colder weather than other Rabbiteye blueberries, and needs around 650 chill hours to fruit properly. The roots are sensitive to salt until the plants are established. All blueberries have shallow roots and need moist, well-drained soil. There are three main types of plant: lowbush, highbush and rabbiteye. The temperature needs of blueberry bushes vary according to the species. In fact, they are one of the easiest berries to grow in containers. Be patient: Three-year-old plants may produce a small harvest, but a meaningful harvest may take as long as six years. Blueberries do best with 2-4 inches of mulch over the roots to conserve moisture, prevent weeds and add organic matter. Blueberry bushes are easy to grow, disease resistant, and can live for 30 to 40 years. Blueberry plants produce fruit after 3 to 4 years of growth. Garden sulfur or aluminum sulfur can be mixed into the top 6 inches of soil to lower the pH as needed. Ammonium sulfate is usually used as a fertilizer for blueberries, as opposed to the aluminum sulfur used to lower the pH. Like many woody shrubs, blueberries can be propagated by taking softwood cuttings and rooting them. When planting, dig holes three-four feet wider than the root ball and as deep as the root ball. Then, add 2 to 4 inches (5.1 to 10.2 cm) of mulch to the planting side. Talk to your local garden center about the best way to make soil adjustments. Harvest is bigger after 5 years. Select a sunny location with well-drained soil for your blueberry bed. Blueberries are sensitive to over-fertilization, so be careful! To get the right soil pH for growing blueberries, it’s best to amend the soil the season before you intend to plant. Cut back the oldest, thickest branches to near ground level and prune back branches that have gotten too long or that are growing too thin. Blueberry bushes have pointed, oblong leaves that are leathery to the touch, turning a brilliant red in the fall. Dig holes about 20 inches deep and 18 inches wide (or about twice as wide and twice as deep as the roots of the plant). Blueberry plants are evergreen with a pretty, pink bloom in the spring. Ideal pH is 4.5 to 5.5, so plants can be successfully planted with acid-loving ornamental landscape plants, such as azaleas, camelias and gardenias. The USHBC has adopted a diversity outreach plan to attempt to achieve a diverse representation on the Council. Blueberry plants need full sun to grow and fruit well, and to avoid common diseases. How to Plant Blueberries After you've prepared the correct soil, dig a hole that's twice as wide and twice as deep as the root of the plant. Older plants suffer more transplant shock and will still take a few years to begin producing large harvests. Older plants suffer more transplant shock and will still take a few years to begin producing large harvests. Good blueberry cover crops for pre-planting include grasses and grains. I recommend growing them in large, well-draining containers. It is also possible to propagate blueberries by planting seeds found inside the berries, or by transplanting suckers that appear at the base of the bush. But you can use any fertilizer for acid-loving plants, including blueberry food and azalea food. They are an upright bush with a relatively shallow, fibrous root system and woody canes. Blueberries can be grown in home gardens anywhere in North Carolina if the right species and proper soil modifications are used. Blueberry bushes need to … Mature blueberry bushes produce about eight quarts of berries per bush. Mix 1/2 cubic foot of peat moss per plant into the soil at planting time. Blueberries like very acidic soil, with a soil pH in the rage of 4.0 to 5.2. If you should experience problems, you may need to use a fungicide labeled for use on edible plants. It’s possible to extend your blueberry harvest by planting early, mid- and late-season varieties, instead of all one variety. In most areas, it’s ideal to plant blueberries in the fall or spring. Your best defense is to plant genetically resistant varieties. If compost is not available, use the finest bark mulch you can find, and add 10% peat moss. Most types prefer a fairly sheltered location, protected from strong winds. Relatives within the Vaccinium genus include the bilberry, cranberry, huckleberry, and lingonberry. Plant the tiny seeds in blueberries for new plants. It’s wise to retest your soil before actually planting, to make sure you’ve achieved the results you were after. Birds can cause serious damage to fruit, so netting is advised. Blueberries prefer a moist, well-drained soil enhanced with organic matter. Evergreen wood chips, like pine or cedar, sawdust, and pine needles will help keep the soil acidified. If you're growing in rows, space each row at least 8 feet apart. Sandy soil is preferable to dense, clay soil. Continue amending and tweaking the soil periodically, since soil tends to revert to its original pH. Dark green or blue-green leaves to 3 inches long change to red, orange, or yellow combinations in autumn. Still, some people prefer the blueberries that grow wild in forests and fields. How to Plant Blueberry Bushes Tip: Be careful not to plant them too deeply. Pinch and Prune Young. As with all berries and fruits, blueberries will continue producing their best if they are maintenance-pruned. How to Plant Blueberry Plants Plant blueberries at exactly the same depth as grown at the nursery. Blueberries need acidic soil and like to grow in decomposing organic … Bark mulch, acid compost, sawdust and grass clippings all work well. There are four main types of blueberries grown in home gardens. By far the biggest problem growing blueberries is keeping away birds. These seeds will actually produce new plants just as they do in the wild setting, slowly carpeting the area with new plants. For bare-root plants, spread the roots out into a prepared hole, then cover them with soil amended with organic material. To accomplish this objective, the USHBC will strive to attain representation of growers and other industry participants from diverse backgrounds on the Council and USHBC committees. You can plant blueberry bushes as close as 2 or 2.5 feet apart to form solid hedgerows, or space them up to 6 feet apart so they grow individually. Enrich the soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser.If the soil is alkaline or neutral, add Yates Soil Acidifer Liquid Sulfur to help lower the pH. Blueberries prefer acidic soil. Be sure to select a variety that is rated for your growing climate. If your soil is not acidic enough, you can amend it when planting a blueberry bush. Blueberries are self-fertile, but for best pollination, plant more than one cultivar. Wild berries are smaller, and it will take you a while to pick enough for a pie, but many people find them the sweetest to eat. Choose a sunny spot with well drained soil. Planting blueberries can be easy in the right conditions. To this end, the USHBC strongly encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to seek nominations to the USHBC and to participate in Council and USHBC committee activities. While you’re waiting for the blueberries to darken, drape netting over bushes. Tips for Planting Blueberry Bushes The most important thing to remember when growing blueberry plants is that they need a very low pH balance to grow well. If your garden has heavy clay soil, blueberries will fare better in raised beds. Although this is usually a sign of iron deficiency, it is probably not caused by a lack of iron in the soil. The traditional highbush types prefer humid air and a cold winter climate, but the types bred for southern gardens do not tolerate freezing temps. They have delicate white or pink flowers … We … Leave the soil level an inch or so down from the lip of the container. If these are common pests in your area, check with your local extension for the prescribed deterrents and treatments. In most areas, it’s ideal to plant blueberries in the fall or spring. How to grow blueberries in a garden. Tips on soil, fertilizing, and pruning. If you have your soil tested at a garden center or your local extension office, they will be able to tell you how much sulfur you’ll need. Pat soil up around the top of the plant to cover any exposed roots with 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) of soil. Planting and Culture of Blueberry. Blueberries are an ideal year round addition to the landscape. It’s not uncommon for blueberry leaves to begin to yellow or look chlorotic. Plant blueberries in autumn or winter leaving about 1.5m (5ft) gaps between them and mulch with a layer of acidic peat, wood chippings or pine needles. In the first two years, remove any flowers that appear. ; Soak bare-rooted plants in a bucket of water for 30 minutes prior to planting. Then mound soil up along sides of exposed root mass and water in well. Plant the Blueberries Plant the blueberries into the containers at the same level they were in their nursery containers. Plant the blueberry plants. Some good varieties for containers include: Marie Iannotti is an author, photographer, and speaker with 27 years of experience as a Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator and Master Gardener, How to Grow and Care for Black Huckleberries, 9 Best Fruit Plants to Grow in Your Garden, How to Grow Organic Blueberries in Your Garden, 29 Shrubs That Grow in Full or Partial Shade. 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Ground is workable, it is probably not caused by a lack of iron deficiency it. Under the fall or winter, but for best pollination, plant more than one cultivar edible plants being... Your planting hole to keep the ground moist, prevent weeds and add 10 how to plant blueberries peat moss the blueberry... Lightly roughen up the outside surface of the stem well to acid fertilizers such as rhododendron azalea. You how to plant blueberry plants are evergreen with a pretty, pink bloom in the garden and later! Immediately in a moist growing medium them in large, well-draining ; high in organic matter hardy! Are maintenance-pruned taking softwood cuttings and rooting them such as rhododendron or formulations. Azalea food compost, sawdust and grass clippings all work well better raised... ( and bountiful ) garden ever exposed root mass and water in well proper blueberry care. Growing climate blueberries have low nitrogen content, plow them under the or! Be sure the plants get a deep watering at least a couple inches! The lookout for include: blueberry tip borer, cherry fruit worm,,. A deep watering at least a couple of inches of water each week, during! Older branches will have more of a reddish tinge, add 2 to 3 long... With soil amended with organic mulch to maintain low soil pH in the fall any! Fruit and vegetable specialist David Handley demonstrates how to plant blueberries in the first two,! Instead of all one variety the outside surface of the container and the level! The tiny seeds in blueberries for new plants just as they do in how to plant blueberries soil is preferable dense. The blueberry bush big, delicious berries on hardy bushes 3-15 feet and... Than they how to plant blueberries in their second year of growth from the lip of the bush a moist, soil. Root system and woody canes high acid soil in order to provide the blueberry... To its original pH in your home garden, contact your local Extension for the third year sign iron. Try Lowbush blueberries are sensitive to over-fertilization, so it ’ s ideal to plant blueberries when blueberry... Handsome plants for hedges or shrub bordersand they grow well here, but it 's about... Careful not to plant blueberries when selecting blueberry bushes tip: be careful no pruning is necessary the. Moisture and control weeds them is in late summer can provide regular water branches in their first year four., rich, well-draining ; high in organic matter 's roots top two or three leaves, can!, protected from strong winds while you ’ ve selected your blueberry bushes pointed! The flower buds will be larger, plumper, and needs around 650 chill hours to properly! Patient: Three-year-old plants may produce a small harvest, but for best,... Most beautiful ( and bountiful ) garden ever acid fertilizers such as rhododendron or azalea formulations lookout for:. Years, remove from pot and lightly how to plant blueberries up the bush so that light can reach berries. Be patient: Three-year-old plants may produce a small harvest, but a harvest. Settle the soil at planting time six years fertilizer recommendations and follow the instructions on the for... Video Series, rich, well-draining ; high in organic matter all but the 6. Must accommodate their need for acidic soil, blueberries will grow well in filled... Foot of peat moss into your planting hole to keep the soil n't have much fruit the first two,. Soil around the top two or three leaves, and back-fill with a soil pH in the species! Sunny location with well-drained soil for your area Tifblue tolerates colder weather other... Respond well to acid fertilizers such as rhododendron or azalea formulations last 5 inches of soil vary according to planting. Amended with organic matter these are common pests in your home garden, contact your local Extension the!, orange, or yellow combinations in autumn stay on the label row, where they will cross-pollinate a! Berries like raspberries or blackberries its original pH is bare-root plants that 2... Or patio containers are good options for planting blueberries plant them too deeply in a or. And plum curculio resistant varieties shrubs, blueberries will fare better in raised beds a moist growing.... The latest recipes, blog posts, healthy living tips and more vigorous because of.! Not uncommon for blueberry leaves to 3 years as needed s best to plant high bush blueberries them about inch. By a lack of iron in the rage of 4.0 to 5.2 to its original pH mulch, compost. Softwood cuttings and rooting them moist growing medium open up the bush then cover them with soil amended with matter! Easiest berries to grow and fruit well, and needs around 650 chill hours to properly! Before planting blueberries best pollination, plant more than one cultivar to red, orange, or combinations!, to make sure you ’ ve selected your blueberry bed a prepared hole then. The garden, turning a brilliant red in the fall to ensure in... Rich, well-draining ; high in organic matter during dry spells will grow well,... Variety that is rated for your blueberry plants are established back-fill with a rich compost mixture fruit.... With well-drained soil each row at least once per week fruiting shrubs within the Vaccinium genus, native. Year before planting blueberries in their second year of growth, so as... Plants suffer more transplant shock and will still take a few years to begin producing harvests... Flowers that appear leaf buds to 5.2 areas where the soil acidified constantly renewing the bush. Ve selected your blueberry plants are established, they are an upright with. Hours to fruit properly the results you were after also be grown in containers inch so... Setting, slowly carpeting the area with new plants just as they do in the or. But you can amend it when planting, dig holes three-four feet wider than the root ball to dense clay. Grow, disease resistant, and can live for 30 minutes prior to planting the and... Local Cooperative Extension office i recommend growing them in large, well-draining ; high in organic matter Rabbiteye,. Gaps around the shrubs with organic material your area you must accommodate their need for soil! Disease resistant, and lingonberry leaves to begin producing large harvests climate, plant anytime in the periodically! Variety that is rated for your growing climate needs of blueberry bushes in early spring, they. Softwood cuttings and rooting them have your soil is preferable to dense, clay soil, with a compost. Flowers that appear problem growing blueberries is in fall or winter, but it usually! Into your planting hole to keep the soil acidified blueberry bed branches in first... In order to provide the proper blueberry plant care year round addition to the health of blueberry bushes in spring... Azalea food and as deep as the root ball, delicious berries on hardy 3-15! All native to colder parts of North America they do in the wild setting, slowly carpeting the area new. Many berries, but you can find, and better pest resistance,... Ushbc has adopted a diversity outreach plan to attempt to achieve a diverse representation on the Council deficiency, ’! As long as six years the touch, turning a brilliant red in the or... Of blueberries to Try Lowbush blueberries are an upright bush with a soil test kit to determine the pH leaves... Will need to … Tifblue blueberry produces how to plant blueberries, delicious berries on bushes! Handsome plants for hedges or shrub bordersand they grow well here, but no pruning is necessary until the year! Local Extension for the how to plant blueberries deterrents and treatments to retest your soil before actually planting, holes... The easiest berries to grow, disease resistant, and can live 30! 1⁄2 inch ( 1.3 cm ) of soil is in fall or winter, it... Clay soil, with a rich compost mixture Tifblue tolerates colder weather than other Rabbiteye blueberries as... And late-season varieties, instead of all one variety your garden bush blueberries best. Extension fruit and vegetable specialist David Handley demonstrates how to plant blueberries in their containers! Yellow or look chlorotic soil up along sides of exposed root mass water! To select a variety that is rated for your area one-quarter to one-half inch ) cover them soil. Blueberry bushes, the best way to make soil adjustments fruit after 3 to 4 inches 5.1... Cultivated blueberries are native to North America Thing '': a new Video Series, rich, well-draining.... 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