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!
Plump, juicy berries 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 edible plant but also an attractive addition to your overall landscape, offering scarlet fall foliage and creamy-white, bell-shaped spring flowers. Learn more about why you should grow blueberries in your home garden.
Note: Blueberries are a favorite snack of hungry birds, so it’s recommended that you protect blueberry bushes ahead of time with netting or other methods.
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.
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I live in Tennesse. I would
I live in Tennesse. I would like to know if it is too late in the season to plant blue berry bushes in my yard. It is Mid July.
Blueberries should be planted
Blueberries should be planted while dormant, usually from November through March.
I live in the SC plains. I
I live in the SC plains. I just bought an O'neal variety Bluberry bush on sale here and it's Early September. What should I do with the plants untill they go dormant? I have them sittin gon my deck, full sun right now in th 5 gal containers they came with.
It should still be fine to
It should still be fine to get them in the ground in the fall. Just make sure the soil is prepared BEFORE planting so it has the pH that is acceptable for blueberries.
How close can I plant my
How close can I plant my blueberry bushes. I have planted 2 about 2 feet apart.
Hi Steve, Spacing depends on
Hi Steve, Spacing depends on the variety of blueberry. We use 4 to 5 feet apart as a general rule but you can see that some compact plants get 2 feet: www.burpee.com/fruit-plants/bl...
Thanks. Great Help, Great
Thanks. Great Help, Great Website. Will space my plants further apart.
I HAVE BEEN GROWING BLUE
I HAVE BEEN GROWING BLUE BERRIES FOR LAST 7 OR 8 YEARS ,I ONLY BUY MORE AT END OF SUMMER OR EARLY FALL .WHEN STORES PUT THEM ON SALE .I HAVE 27 PLANTS AND THEY ARE GREAT .I FERTILIZE LIGHTLY WITH 10 10 10 AND PUT PINE NEDDLES IN FALL.I NEED TO FIND A BETTER WAY OF PICKING THEN ONE AT TIME .ANY GOOD IDEAS WOULD BE HELPFUL
Even most small blueberry
Even most small blueberry operations harvest their fruit by hand. Mechanical harvesters are available, but you need a large planting to justify the expense--and many of the berries aren't fit for fresh consumption and better for frozen use.
Blueberries are harvested most quickly when they are at peak ripeness. Look for the whitish, dusty appearance (bloom) of the blueberry. Harvest when it's the coolest part of the day. To easily remove from the bush, use the thumb and forefinger, keeping the hand cupped under the berry to avoid dropping it. Use pint cuts or buckets that are no larger than 5 quarts so the berries don't get mashed or too hot. Never leave berries in the sun; cool the fruit as soon as possible. We hope this helps.
If your bushes are in rows
If your bushes are in rows you can lay sheets or unroll bolts of cloth on either side, slightly overlapped in the middle. I like to prop up the outside edges of sheets slightly - long foam rods such as used in swimming pools for play are great if set under the cloth outer edges so berries do not roll off of the cloth. Shake bushes gently and ripe berries fall. If unripe berries fall you are shaking too hard. Collect by gently sweeping up with a clean broom and dust pan or pick up cloth to gently dump into baskets, then wash and sort. Slightly unripe berries can be left spread out over night indoors and will continue to ripen for a day.
Google "Dirty Jobs
Google "Dirty Jobs blueberry", watch the Discover Channel clip and take a look at what appear to be custom hand made tools specifically for harvesting blueberries (though they might only work for the rabbit eye type) in this clip from Dirty Jobs
Also, studies have shown that 'all caps' text is harder to read so if ya want people to understand ya better, go with standard text :)
I have a bag of frozen
I have a bag of frozen berries that were given to me thinking they were juneberries/serviceberries. They are a red/purple color like a wild plum. However they were bitter even with sugar when in a pie and they had a pit to remove. I do not know what the bush looked like. Tasting the frozen fruit, it seems very tart but not bitter to me. What are they and can I make jelly from them? Thank you for your assistance.
Hi Jody, I'm not sure where
Hi Jody, I'm not sure where you live but here is an interesting page on unusual berries (including pictures); http://www.pickyourown.org/unu...
I just started to grow
I just started to grow blueberries and want to say that value of blueberries is awesome for the body. thanks for this info.
I live in NY state. I
I live in NY state. I purchased a 2 BB plants from Lowe's one is a Sharpblue. The other a Chandler. I am not sure if they will be ok in my zone. I'm sorry if question was asked already, but I really need to know.
Sharpblue is hardy in Zones
Sharpblue is hardy in Zones 7b to 10. Chandler is Zones 5 to 7. We don't know where you live in New York and there is a large range so please check here: http://planthardiness.ars.usda...
I purchased 3 BB bushes from
I purchased 3 BB bushes from Home De 2 years ago
We have had flowers but never any fruit
I made a large cage for them but I think a
chip monk may be getting in
Will they eat the berries??
Please provide any info
thanks
HD
I have 8 bushes that came
I have 8 bushes that came from a reputable nursery here in NC.
This is the 2nd year of the bushes having berries, but again the berries are not ripening (all green). Suggestions?
Blueberries grow well if they
Blueberries grow well if they have the right soil. They need acid soil with a pH range of 4.5 to 5.2. Add peat moss to acidify the soil if needed and make sure the soil's high in organic matter.
We moved into a house last
We moved into a house last summer and I never noticed until a couple days ago, but we have what I can only describe as a blueberry tree. It is well over 10 ft. My grandparents always had blueberries, but I didn't recognize this because of its size. The berries are delicious but a little on the small size. Any thoughts on this? I live near Nashville, TN.
Hmmm. Blueberry bushes aren't
Hmmm. Blueberry bushes aren't usually this tall. Take a clipping to your local garden center or cooperative extension to make sure it's a blueberry bush. Blueberry produce smaller berries when they are overloaded with fruits. Thin out older, overgrown branches.
By Byeargan, it sounds like
By Byeargan, it sounds like you have a shad bush tree, also known as Serviceberry (botanical name Amelanchier). You're right, the berries certainly do resemble blueberries and are actually pretty tasty when fully ripe.
Enjoy that tree and fruit. Keep in mind it can easily grow much taller making it difficult to pick the upper berries but you can let the birds have the ones you can't reach!
Happy Berry Pickin'!
A friend just gave me 6 BB
A friend just gave me 6 BB plants, I do not want that many. I was told there are "male" and "female" plants, how do I tell the difference so that I don't get rid of the wrong ones?
Blueberry plants are
Blueberry plants are self-fertile (i.e., they contain both male and female parts in each flower). So, no worries. However, it's always good to have different varieties to aide pollination to ensure you get fruit.
We moved to a location that
We moved to a location that was built in the 60's, and while cleaning part of the property, came across what have to be HIGHBUSH blueberries, as these bushes are 6'-7' tall. Once we cleared the area, it is evident that these were strategically planted and maintained for years. However, they have obviously been neglected for probably near 20 years, but are producing enormous amounts of berries!
They obviously need to be pruned due to the serious overgrowth. Can you give any suggestions as to how this could be done to NOT kill these beautiful plants?
Thanks!
Would like to grow them how
Would like to grow them how do i get the seeds
new to bb in Alabama
My friend gave me 3 bb bushes we planted them last year I have now what looks like roots spreading and sprouting my husband says it is just grass can someone please help looked for pics of bushes but no one has posted any fresh sprouts only adult bushes
Blueberries have a shallow
Blueberries have a shallow root system that spreads easily. As you've found, suckers can sprout up some distance from the bush. You'll need to remove the suckers to prevent the bush becoming too spread out.
Do those suckered sprouts
Do those suckered sprouts produce. I was thinking of trying to transplant them.is this a good idea or just a waste of time? Thanks in advance
How much sun?
Do blueberries need full sun or will they grow and produce berries in partial shade?
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