We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs . see More ›
In This Article
Packed full of disease - fighting antioxidants and raft of vitamin C , blueberries are considered a superfood . In the garden , blueberries call for patience and attention , but they will chop-chop become a gardener ( and pollinator ) favorite . When it come up to learning how to grow blueberries , all it ingest is a little cognition — and time — to have an abundant blueberry crop good for the picking .
Growing Blueberries at a Glance
vernacular Name : BlueberryScientific Name : Vaccinium spp . Hardiness Zone : 3 to 10Soil : pH between 4 and 5.5Light : Full sunWater : RegularFood : Acidic fertilizerPropagation : Dormant cuttingsSafety : eatable
Blueberry Characteristics
Blueberries are a time investing . They are ho-hum growers , taking around 10 twelvemonth to reach fledged sizing ( up to 12 foot magniloquent , depend on the change ) , and they wo n’t grow pregnant harvest for 2 to 3 years .
But for the nurseryman who gives blueberries thetime and space to rise , the reward is plentiful . They are attractive bushes , with leave-taking that often grow ruddy in the fall , form them a beautiful addition to the landscape .
Recommended Blueberry Varieties
Blueberries are aboriginal to much of North America , and there are two main types of blueberry George W. Bush : highbush ( Vaccinium corymbosum ) and lowbush ( genus Vaccinium angustifolium ) . The primary difference in both of these is development drug abuse . Most lowbush blueberry originate to a height of around 2 feet , whereas highbush blueberry bush can spring up anywhere from 6 to 12 metrical unit magniloquent . There are also hybrid of both highbush and lowbush .
Planting Blueberries
The secret to grow blueberries is using theright soil . Unlike many other industrial plant in the garden that fly high on a grunge pH between 6.0 and 7 , blueberry bush require their soil to be much more acidic , typically in the range of 4.0 to 5.5 . Chances are , unless it ’s in the middle of a pine forest , the soil will need amendment and fecundation to observe the right pH.
When is the best time to plant blueberries?
As whenplanting repeated shrubs , the best time to plant blueberries is either in the late fall before the first frost or in other spring after any danger of freezing has pass . Depending on the climate zone , this can be anywhere between late September and mid - October or between March to early May . bleak - theme blueberry , which are dormant , are best planted in the crepuscule .
Where can blueberries grow?
Blueberries thrive in rich , acid soil in full Dominicus , although they can tolerate partial sun . They can grow in a compass ofUSDA Plant Hardiness Zonesfrom 3 to 10 . In general , lowbush blueberries lean to handle colder winters and can be rise in Zones 3 to 7 . Highbush varieties can broadly tolerate zone range from 4 to 10 . Be sure to take a blueberry that is suitable for the mood . Since there are many varieties and hybrids , there is probable an ideal case of blueberry bush for most climates .
How do you plant blueberries?
Can you grow blueberries in containers?
Like raspberries and blackberries , blueberries are among theberries that do well in containers .
“ Many people do n’t actualise this , but blueberry can be grow in containers , ” allege Diane Kuthy , founder and stellar garden expert atHow to Grow Everything . “ If your dirt is too alkaline for blueberries or if you do n’t have a one thousand that can fit blueberries , you’re able to still grow blueberries in containers . In fact , there are specific varieties of blueberry that have been design specifically to be grown in containers on patios and porches . ”
Kuthy evoke using special - large pots , such as whiskey barrels , and making indisputable to apply planting mix with mountain of peat moss for drain and acidity .
Photo: istockphoto.com
“ Small lowbush varieties can be grown in smaller passel . The only real downside to arise blueberries in containers is that they are less cold hardy and more susceptible to winter terms . If your pots are diminished enough , look at take your blueberry bush plants indoors during the coldest parts of the wintertime . ”
Watering Blueberry Plants
blueberry have shallow roots , so it ’s significant to keep the soil near the surface moist . However , do n’t overwater or permit them to seat in standing water . urine blueberry bush plant life with about 1 column inch of water per week , and more during extended periods of high warmth . Mulching helps with water retention .
Fertilizing Blueberries
Choose an acidicfertilizer for blueberriesthat will help wield the proper soil pH and provide blueberry bushes with the proper nutrient they call for , including a good amount of nitrogen . If leave are turn red or there is a lack of new ontogeny , the soil pH is likely no longer in the optimal range for blueberry health . The best fertilizer for blueberry is by and large one that can also be used on other acid - loving plants , such as azaleas and rhododendrons .
fecundate blueberries during their blooming period ( in the spring ) harmonise to fertilizer direction . For newly plant blueberry bush , fertilize about 1 calendar month after planting . For established plant , feed in former bounce each twelvemonth before growth . Many nurseryman also fertilize again in the fall before the first rime .
Pollination
Blueberry plant are mainly pollinated by bee , socreating a pollinator gardenis a huge blessing to any gardener who is hoping for an abundant fruit crop . Many blueberries are self - pollinating , entail they do not require more than one type of the same variety to produce fruit . However , constitute more than one blueberry bush of any variety show will increase pollination and the size of fruit .
Pruning Blueberry Plants
Blueberry plant tend to shape themselves , so pruning is done primarily to encourage growth and fruit production only . In the first class , nullify pruning beyond remove wiped out or dead constituent of the plant . Once the plant has been established in the years following , clip lightly in spring before new growth .
blueberry bush plant will produce an copiousness of yield buds , but too many will result in small , undersize berries , so light pruning can aid forbid this . Be sure to keep enough master stems to forbid overbearing .
Propagating Blueberries
blueberry are propagated from eithersoftwood or hardwood cuttings . These cuttings are taken from a healthy , matured mother industrial plant . Softwood cutting are charter in early spring ; hardwood cuttings are taken during the inactive season .
Safety Considerations
blueberry are nontoxic plants that produce eatable fruit that is not a threat to animals . The wood of the blueberry is atoxic , but it has been known to cause upset stomach in dog or cats if eaten in excess . The greatest condom condition in blueberries relates to the program program of pesticide on the plants and economic consumption of the yield after pesticide have been applied .
Potential Pests and Diseases
As North American natives , blueberry can be generally disease- and pest - immune , assuming the veracious variety is pick out for the climate . Blueberries can fall victim to many of the common garden pests including aphids , maggots , leafhopper , borers , andscale .
They are susceptible to several fungal diseases include mummy berry ( because of the fungal pathogenMonilinia vaccinii - corymbosi ) , which causes wilt leaves and shriveled yield . Others include berry rot , Botrytis blight , and Phomopsis twig blight . In extreme cases , treatment may require the applications programme of a fungicide , but these diseases in the abode garden are often preventable if the flora is given adequate circulation and proper lachrymation and fertilizing .
Harvesting Blueberries
Different varieties of blueberries can be harvested at different times of the year , and planting several types of blueberries can help ascertain the harvest time of year endure longer .
Generally utter , blueberries are a summertime crop . However , some southerly varieties can be reap as betimes as April or May .
When is the best time to harvest blueberries?
Early - time of year blueberry bush are glean in May or June ; mid - season berries are harvest in July and August ; and late - season blueberry bush are harvested as lately as September .
How do you harvest blueberries?
Once fruits commence to work , it may well be deserving endow inblueberry nettingto help keep the local bird universe from eating all of the tasty Charles Edward Berry . crop berries just before or just at ripening . Like Lycopersicon esculentum , blueberry bush will continue to ripen after being picked —— just do n’t pick them too green , as they necessitate a decent blush of purple on them .
How do you store blueberries?
Freshly picked blueberry should be lay in in the refrigerator in a container that has air circulation or in a large pipe bowl or container uncovered . Do n’t seal blueberry in an airtight container because this will induce them to mould .
Blueberries are an excellent prospect for freezing . only lave them , provide them to dry out , and then unfold them out in a single stratum on a crustal plate or pan in the Deepfreeze until fixed , at least 2 hours . Once they have frozen through , place them in a sealed pocketbook and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months .
Blueberries can also be terminate or made into jams to broaden the shelf life .
Photo: istockphoto.com
Preparing Blueberry Plants for Winter
Even blueberry varieties that are tolerant to extremely cold winters require some prep ahead of the winter season . Water and fecundate blueberry bush accordingly in the autumn up until there ’s peril of frost .
Before wintertime hits , put on a duncish layer of mulch — as much as 6 inches . Use wheat , sawdust , pine straw , wood mulch , or sawdust .
If blueberry have been grow in containers , extra measures should be taken to prepare them for wintertime , as blueberries in the ground have good insulation than those in containers . In inhuman mood , this may require bringing blueberry flora inside during the winter .
Photo: istockphoto.com
Looking for more edible plant life ? Check out our pathfinder on growingelderberries , Bronx cheer , andgrapes .
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
We ’ll help you arrange up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your terrace , a lift bed , or an in - land game out back — and select the correct plant for your soil and region .
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
