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Growing Blueberries
Planting, Growing, Pruning, and Harvesting Blueberries
Planting, Growing, Pruning, and Harvesting Blueberries
Blueberries are one of the easiest fruits to grow.
PixabayDid you know that the modern blueberry is a 20th-century invention? Before the 1900s, the only way to enjoy these North American natives was to find them in the wild. Then, scientists started to unlock the secrets of cultivating blueberries—and we’re glad they did! Here’s how to grow blueberries in your garden.
Plump, juicy blueberries are now easy to grow in your backyard on bushes that are resistant to most pests and diseases, and can produce for up to 20 years. A relative of rhododendron and azalea, blueberry bushes aren’t just a great fruiting plant but also an attractive addition to your overall landscape, offering scarlet fall foliage and creamy-white, bell-shaped spring flowers. Read more about why you should grow blueberries in your home garden (as if you needed an excuse!).
Types of Blueberries
There are four types of blueberries: highbush, lowbush, hybrid half-high and rabbiteye. The most commonly planted blueberry is the highbush. Most blueberry breeding has focused on this species, so there are many varieties that range widely in cold hardiness and fruit season, size, and flavor. Read more about blueberry varieties below.
Planting
When to Plant Blueberry Bushes
- Bushes should be planted as early in the spring as possible.
- If available, 1- to 3-year-old plants are a good choice. These can be bought in containers or bare-root. In either case, be sure to buy from a reputable nursery or website.
Choosing and Preparing a Planting Site
- Select a sunny, sheltered spot. While blueberries are tolerant of shade, better crops are obtained in the sun. At the same time, they should not be exposed to harsh, drying winds.
- Don’t plant blueberries too close to trees, as the trees will not only block out sunlight, but will also suck up any moisture in the soil.
- If planting multiple bushes, it’s best to plant them in a patch, rather than scattered throughout your garden. This will bolster berry production and quality.
- The blueberry is a shallow-rooted plant. Therefore, it requires a soil that holds moisture, but also drains well and doesn’t stay wet. Don’t plant blueberries in sites that have heavy, clayey soils that stay wet.
- Blueberries thrive in soil that is acidic. The soil pH should ideally be between 4 and 5. Soil can be acidified by mixing a small amount of granulated sulfur into the soil several months before planting. Peat moss, as well as pine bark or needles, are also good additions that will help acidify your soil.
- Mix organic matter into the soil before you set your blueberry bushes. (See more about soil amendments and preparing soil for planting.)
How to Plant Blueberry Bushes
- 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).
- Space bushes 4–5 feet apart in a row, with at least 8 feet between rows. Prepare a planting mixture of 2 parts loam and one part oak leaf mold, peat moss, aged sawdust, or compost, and place a layer of this mixture in the bottom of the hole.
- Set the bush in the hole with its roots spread out. Don’t plant the bush any deeper than it grew in the pot. Pack the hole tightly with soil.
- Apply fertilizer one month after planting, not at the time of planting. Apply ½ ounce of a 10-10-10 fertilizer in a band around the plant 6 to 12 inches from the crown.
Can You Grow Blueberries in a Container?
Yes! In fact, blueberries grown in containers are easier to protect from birds and other critters, more disease resistant, easy to harvest, and easy to move if needed.
Here’s how to do it:
- Use a large container with drainage holes.
- Use a potting mix designed for acid-loving plants such as azaleas or rhododendrons, or mix sandy soil with peat moss and compost.
- Plant the bush in the container and water well.
- Add mulch on top of the soil to keep in moisture.
- Place the pot in a sunny spot.
- Keep soil moist.
- In northern regions, overwinter the blueberry container in a protected area or cover the container with straw or wrap it in burlap.
Varieties for Containers
- ‘Top Hat’: Bred by the University of Michigan for small spaces and containers.
- ‘Pink Lemonade’: Pink blueberries contain genetics from rabbiteye blueberries (a standard in the hot South). These pink berries can be planted in nearly every climate.
- ‘Pink Champagne’: Another pink variety full of antioxidants and sweeter than blue blueberries.
‘Pink Lemonade’ blueberries
Care
How to Care for Blueberry Bushes
- Mulch to keep shallow blueberry root systems moist, which is essential. Apply a 2- to 4-inch layer of woodchips, saw dust, or pine needles around the bush after planting, but leave a gap around the trunk of the bush to allow for proper air flow. Read more about mulching.
- Blueberries need 1 to 2 inches of water per week.
- Warning: Blueberries are a favorite snack of hungry birds, so it’s recommended that you protect blueberry bushes ahead of time by draping bird netting over your plants.
- One year after planting, apply 1 ounce of 10-10-10 fertilizer per bush in the spring at blooming time, and increase the rate by 1 ounce each year thereafter to a maximum of 8 ounces for mature bushes.
- Do not allow the bush to produce fruit for the first year or two after planting. This lets the plant use its energy to get well established in its new home instead.
- Pinch back any blossoms developing on newly set plants to allow the energy to go to growth.
How to Prune Blueberry Bushes
- For the first 4 years or so after planting, there is no need to prune blueberry bushes. From then on, pruning is needed to stimulate growth of the new shoots that will bear fruit the following season.
- Prune plants in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.
- Cut out dead, broken, short, weak, and spindly shoots.
- On highbush varieties, begin with large cuts, removing wood that is more than 6 years old, drooping to the ground, or crowding the center of the bush. Also remove low-growing branches whose fruit will touch the ground, as well as spindly twigs.
- Prune lowbush blueberries by cutting all stems to ground level. Pruned plants will not bear the season following pruning, so prune a different half of a blueberry patch every two years (or a different third of a patch every three years).
Pests/Diseases
- Birds
- Blueberry Maggot
- Powdery Mildew
Harvest/Storage
How to Harvest Blueberries
- Blueberries are typically ready for picking between June and August.
- Don’t rush to pick the berries as soon as they turn blue. Wait a couple days. When they are ready, they should fall off right into your hand.
- If you plant 2-year-old blueberry bushes, they should start to bear within a year or two. (Pick off any flowers that form the first year or two after planting, to allow the bush to become established.) Be aware that full production is only reached after about 6 years (depending on variety).
How to Store Blueberries
- Blueberries are one of the easiest fruits to freeze. Learn how to properly freeze blueberries so you can have them all winter long.
Recommended Varieties
Blueberries are partially self-fertile, so you will harvest more and larger berries by planting two or more varieties together. Planting more than one variety can also extend the harvest season.
Highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum): A six-foot shrub hardy from Zone 4 to Zone 7.
- For withstanding cold winters, choose ‘Bluecrop’, ‘Blueray’, ‘Herbert’, ‘Jersey’, or ‘Meader’.
- For big berries, choose ‘Berkeley’, ‘Bluecrop’, ‘Blueray’, ‘Coville’, ‘Darrow’, or ‘Herbert’.
- For flavor, usually the main reason for growing your own fruit, choose ‘Blueray’, ‘Darrow’, ‘Herbert’, ‘Ivanhoe’, ‘Pioneer’, ‘Stanley’, or ‘Wareham’.
- For something different, try ‘Pink Lemonade’, which produces bright pink blueberries!
Lowbush (Vaccinium angustifolium): For the coldest climates, lowbush varieties are your best bet, hardy from Zone 3 to Zone 7.
- These are the blueberries you find in cans on supermarket shelves. When fresh, the fruits are sweet and covered with a waxy bloom so thick that the berries appear sky blue or gray.
- The creeping plants, a foot or so high, are spread by underground stems, or rhizomes. They blanket the rocky upland soils of the Northeast and adjacent portions of Canada. Lowbush blueberries make a nice ornamental fruiting ground cover.
- Plants sold by nurseries are usually seedlings or unnamed wild plants, rather than named varieties.
Half-High: Breeders have combined qualities of highbush and lowbush blueberries into hybrids known as half-high blueberries.
- University of Minnesota introductions include ‘Northcountry’, a variety that grows 18 to 24 inches high and has excellent, mild-flavored, slightly aromatic sky-blue fruits; and ‘Northblue’, which grows 20 to 30 inches high and produces an abundance of dark-blue, nickel-size, somewhat tart fruits-just right for pies.
- ‘Northland’ is a half-high that grows 3 to 4 feet tall. From Michigan, it has relatively bland, average-quality fruit.
Blueberries for Southern Gardens (Zones 7–9):
- Rabbiteye (Vaccinium virgatum): Grown in the southeastern United States, rabbiteye varieties are extremely adaptable, productive, and pest-tolerant. They do, however, have a high degree of self-incompatibility and require two or more varieties be planted together to ensure pollination. Recommended varieties include ‘Powderblue’, ‘Woodard’, ‘Brightwell’.
- Southern Highbush (hybrids of V. virgatum, V. corymbosum, or V. darrowii): Southern highbush varieties tend to be pickier and harder to grow than rabbiteyes, but there are a few high-quality varieties that do well. Among these are ‘Emerald’, ‘Windsor’, and ‘Springhigh’.
- Read more about blueberries for southern gardens from the University of Florida: Blueberry Gardener’s Guide
Wit & Wisdom
- In Ireland, baskets of blueberries are still offered to a sweetheart in commemoration of the original fertility festival of Lammas Day, celebrated on August 1.
- Blueberries are one of the few naturally blue foods on earth.
- For centuries, Native Americans gathered “star berries” (the blossom end of each berry forms the shape of a perfect five-pointed star) from forests and fields and ate them fresh or dried them for later use.
- Dried blueberries were added to stews, soups and meats.
- Dried berries were also crushed into a powder and rubbed into meat for flavor.
- Blueberry juice was used to cure coughs.
- Blueberry juice was also used as a purple dye for cloth and baskets.
- A tea made from the leaves of the blueberry plant was believed to be good for the blood.
- Tired of blueberries? Try growing another berry in your garden, such as strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries!
Recipes
Cooking Notes
Visit our recipe archives to find delicious blueberry recipes ranging from salads to desserts!
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Reader Comments
Leave a Comment
Growing blueberries: Varieties
The main type of blueberry grown in TN are Rabbiteye types, especially Tiffblue variety and also Climax and Powder Blue. In higher elevations, Highbush grows well such as Duke, Patriot, and Blue crops. Your local nurseries should be able to advise you for your area! Hope this helps.
Blueberries
Which blueberries would be more suited for the Leon WV area. Looking at canning freezing and cooking.
Best Tasting Blueberries for zone 9b
I checked blueberry bushes recommended for zone 9b (Sonoma, CA) and the most flavorful varieties you mention were not listed. Can you recommend the most flavorful for this hardiness zone please.
blueberry
i wish to grow blueberry in India near Kodaikanal, temp vary between 14 to 25 in summer and 5 to 18 in winter
height of 1300 meters
which variety will be suitable and can we grow from seeds?
high bush blueberries variety
I want to grow blueberries in shimla ,india in the northan region I am an apple farmer .can u plz suggest blueberries variety and help us in growing and providing nurseries thank u so much
Blueberry Bush recommendation
Love the site...I live in Ky (Zone 6b I think?) and very curious about which type of blueberry bushes I should look for....Also would like to know how I should amend my soil and when? (currently a 6.9ph) Thank you!
blueberries
Highbush blueberries, such as Spartan, Bluecrop, or Elliott, grow well in Kentucky. Rabbiteyes in warm southern parts. Lowbush types would not do well. For more on growing blueberries in Kentucky, including soil requirements, here is information from the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service:
http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/ho/ho60/HO60.PDF
Hope this helps!
pick flowers or not?
I'm a little confused about when to allow bushes to fruit. lots of sources say prune the buds in the first couple of years (yours included in the 'care' section) but then you go on to say (in the 'harvest' section) that plants a few years old are ok to let put on berries. I have a "new" plant (as in- new to me) but its a decent sized bush probably 2 or 3 years old. I potted it. do I let it fruit or prune and focus on plant growth?
flower buds
For the first year, the same as when you planted the bush, pick off the flowers so that the plant can focus on becoming established. You can start harvesting fruit the second year after planting, as long as the plant is healthy. If it still seems to be struggling, give it another year before allowing it to fruit. We’ve revised the text so this is clearer. Hope this helps!
blueberry bushes and vinegar
I'd like to know how white vinegar sprinkled near blueberry bushes to control weeds will affect the bush...please let me know if I should use the vinegar or not....thanks so much
vinegar on blueberry bushes
Vinegar is an acid, so it would make the soil slightly more acidic. Soil acidity is measured as pH; blueberries like a pH of between 4.0 and 5.0. Have you done a soil test? If you bring the soil too much below 4.0, you may notice that your bushes underperform. If, as it happens, your soil is over 5.0, the bushes might appreciate the acid. How much are you going to pour on? Bottom line: if you hand weed well and then mulch heavily, you will probably deter most of the weeds.
For the record, some sources recommend maintaining a soil’s acidity by adding 1 tablespoon of household vinegar to a gallon of water, when watering.
what type of blueberry bush
Hi i was wondering what type of blueberry would be stand up to oklahoma weather
Blueberry types
Highbush and rabbiteye blueberries both grow well in Oklahoma, depending on the location and the cultivar. Highbush blueberries generally ripen in May and June and perform best in northern Oklahoma. For best yields, two or more cultivars should be planted together, making sure that bloom time overlaps. Bluecrop and Bluejay are two good highbush varieties that pollinate at the same time. Rabbiteye blueberries ripen from late May to early July, and grow best in central and southern Oklahoma and are more heat tolerant than highbush types. Rabbiteye blueberries bloom at different times so it’s important to select varieties which have overlapping pollination times. Premier and Brightwell are two rabbiteye varieties that overlap. Check with your local nursery or cooperative extension for more local knowledge.
Containers for blueberries
I have two Sunshine Blue's in a container and I just bought a Northland which I understand is a much bigger plant. I would prefer to plant the Northland too in a container in order to keep it in a full sun spot. What size container would you recommend?
containing a northland blueberry bush
Well, sources suggest that the Northland Blueberry stands at about a 4-foot-spread at maturity (that’s above ground). Generally speaking, blueberry bushes have small root systems. We’d recommend perhaps a 15-gallon size container to start. As it matures, you might need or want to transplant it into a half whiskey barrel or the like (with obvious drainage).
How much hot weather blueberries can take??
Hi, I want to know if blueberry plant can tolerate hot weather up to 40-45°C?
heat tolerance
Good question! I don’t think that the northern types would be happy at all. The southern highbush and rabbiteye types, which are grown in mild climates due to their lower chilling requirements, might be OK with extra care. Blueberries can be grown in desert climates, such as in Arizona. Some gardeners grow them in containers, so that they can move them to shade during high heat (and also, so that they can use appropriate soil, as sometimes native soil may be too alkaline). For more information, you might contact your county’s Cooperative Extension service. There might be someone there who would know about the temperature tolerances of these plants. For contact information, see:
http://www.almanac.com/content/cooperative-extension-services
Coming Out of Dormancy Early
I have one bb bush with flowers & one bush with buds. I've had both pots in the garage since Dec. Do I need to be concerned about them coming out of dormancy so soon? I live in NW MO so we will not have our last frost until mid-April. I have a Bluecrop, Pink Icing, & Peach Sorbet bush. Thanks
Blueberry bushes not producing blueberries, planted edge woods.
We have 6 blueberry bushes (all different varieties), planted just inside edge of woods next to our yard. They get partial sun/shade. We have provided them fertilizer early March, then early July faithfully for 3 years. They are not producing blueberries. Do you think it's lack of sun? Do you think they are not able to absorb nutrients being amongst White Pines? My husband & I love blueberries, and are very discouraged. Just got a new variety to try in half whiskey barrel on patio.
They will need at least 6
They will need at least 6 hours full sun. The white pines would have nothing to do with their up take of nutrients. The shade would be a major factor. Also the soil Ph would be a factor. A Ph close to 5 would works best. Use peat moss worked in around the plants. Blueberries also need a regular water supply to do well. Without water or a low moisture level no photosynthesis takes place. Also photosynthesis is very low when the plants are shaded. All the fertilizer in the world will not help these conditions. Just on a few plants azalea miracle gro plant food will help bring the Ph down.
seed dormancy
Hi. I want to grow blueberry seeds in a container. Six months ago, I bought the blueberry seeds (highbush corymbosum) and kept them dry in fridge (50F to 45F temp.) and after 3 month I planted them in peat moss, I've kept them moist and have not seen any germinating. How do I break their dormancy? Please help. Special thanks.
Hello please grow herbage
Hello please grow herbage blueberry
Blueberry
Hi i'am from Serbia. I wish to know where to plant blueberry? Because, someone told me that you have to find acidic place which i did, and they told me also that blueberry has to be on sea level above 500m.
PLANTING BLUEBERRIES
CAN BLUEBERRIES BE GROWN IN TROPICAL COUNTRIES LIKE EASTERN NIGERIA WHERE I RESIDE?
I want to buy at least best
I want to buy at least best variety 24 blueberry plant to start a garden in my home town India. So can you please provide the plant.
Buy a jersey berry bush
I use miracle gro , seed starting potting mix. Do I had to change the soil? It rain a lot. I give it plant food by miracle gro every 7 days? Am I doing something wrong.
winter
I have 4 small blueberry plants that I purchased and planted this summer. They are growing, but I don't know what to do with them over the winter. They are in small pots that came with them.
giant blueberry plant
I have a similar question. I have 3 small plants I have bought for my granddaughter. We have them in pots on the patio. What should we do to winter them? Do we cover them? Or can we bring them indoors? Would really appreciate your help on this matter. Thank you.
Protecting Blueberries During Winter
Hi Laura,
The best thing to do is push the pots up against the side of the house for a bit of protection, add a nice thick layer of mulch around the crown of the shrubs, and lay burlap or some kind of tarp over them. Blueberries require a cold dormancy period to fruit. They are pretty tough; they should be fine come spring.
What happens when the plant makes seeds?
Once the plant start making flowers for seeds what do you with them? Do you leave them or cut them off after all the seeds have blown away?
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