Plump, juicy blueberries aren’t just delicious. They’re high in nutrients, antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins. Fortunately, for very little effort, blueberries are easy to grow—if you have the right soil conditions. See our Blueberry Growing Guide to learn how to how to plant, care for, prune, and harvest your blueberry bushes.
Did 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!
- 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.
- Plus, blueberries are one of nature’s superfoods, crammed with essential nutrients, minerals and health-boosting polyphenols.
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.)
Reader Comments
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pink lemonade y
I planted my pink lemonade blueberries last year and wondered when they will produce blossoms. It's the first week in April plants look healthy but no blossoms.
Blueberry blossoms
Your pink lemonade blueberry plant should show white-pink flowers in spring, and the berries should ripen in late July to early August. Often, when blueberries are not flowering, it is due to lack of pollination. Perhaps it has been poor weather and the busy bees have not come out? Blueberries are very susceptible to late spring frosts, too. Also, while blueberries are self-fertile they do much better when there is a second blueberry plant that blooms about the same time. There could be other issues, such as acidic soil pH (which needs to be below 5.5), good drainage (no wet feet!), and proper pruning, but usually it’s the bees.
Berkely bush died in first season
I planted a Berkely blueberry bush I got from a reputable supplier last year, next to 3 other new bushes. All were planted in large containers, in good full sun. The Berkely shrivelled and died just after the fruit started to show. I pulled the container away from the other containers. The dead bush smells like garlic when you snap its branches. Any idea what killed it and do I need to worry about the other bushes?
The Blueberry Blues
Hi, sodagirl: This is difficult to diagnose from afar, but it almost sounds like this bush became infected with parasitic nematodes (microscopic). Another possibility is a virus, although it would be more probable that nematodes would infect only one out of four plants, rather than all. Odors from dead plants usually are generated not by the killers, but by bacteria that are late to the (dead matter) party. We would get rid of this plant by double-construction-grade-bagging it up, soil and all, and taking it to the landfill (consult with attendant) or burying it in a deep hole. In the meantime, to be on the safe side, apply an organic (if possible) nematicide to your remaining plants per directions. But the main thing is to not let this dead bush be sitting around: It needs to be quarantined ASAP. Good luck!
New Blueberry Plants
Hello Everyone,
I am need of some good, sound advice. I have been doing a lot of research on Blueberry plants as far as planting, soil type, care, and I have realized that I am very confused. lol. I have purchased 2 Blue Ray plants and I am going to buy 2 of another variety to start. My soil isn't the greatest. I have about 12 inches of good soil then another 6 inches of iffy soil then it goes to fairly hard clay. Can I ammend the soil to work or is it good enough. I'm not opposed to a little work to get the soil up to par. Any input is appreciated. Thank you in advance..
Blueberry climates
I live in Nebraska and would love to plant a blueberry and raspberry bushes. Are blueberry and raspberry bushes hardy enough to grow in Nebraska with colder temperatures?
Both blueberries and
Both blueberries and raspberries grow very well in colder regions. Go to your local garden center and see what varieties they have to offer.
Go to http://hortupdate.unl.edu/Blueberries to read about growing blueberries in Nebraska.
Go to http://hortupdate.unl.edu/Raspberry to read about growing raspberries in Nebraska.
birds and blueberries
The "banger", compressed air gun, goes off every10-15 minutes for several weeks, end of July and into August. It drives neighbors, summer visitors, dogs, etc. up the wall or under the table. I have read that the birds can actually locate fields by listening for the blast. An old guy in the neighborhood swears this is the only way to protect the crop, another claims that the loss from birds is not significant, unless it is a flock of Biblical proportion. Could the banger technique be a carry over, like a rural myth? For example: We used to plow to warm the soil in early spring but now know that "no till "is more productive and stops erosion.) I believe there must be a quiet solution. Ideas?
Quick Question: I planted a
Quick Question: I planted a Vaccinium Corymbosum blueberry bush today, do I need to get another bush for it to produce blueberries or will this bush produce berries by itself ?
Blueberry plants are self
Blueberry plants are self-fertile, so no worries. However, it’s always good to have different varieties to aide pollination to ensure you get fruit.
Blueberry bushes
I live in North Florida, we just bought a house that has some blueberry bushes, they appear to be young. When and how should we fertilize them?
Fertilizing Blueberries
Wanda, Here’s is advice on fertilizing blueberries from the UF extension:
“Blueberries respond best to frequent, light fertilization. They can be killed or damaged by over-fertilization. It is best to be conservative and gradually increase fertilizer rates as you gain experience with your soil type and the kinds of fertilizer you are using.
Do not put fertilizer in the planting hole. After planting, when the soil is well settled from irrigation or rainfall, give un-mulched plants 1 ounce per plant of 12-4-8 (N-P2O5-K2O) with 2% magnesium (Mg). Use ammoniacal nitrogen or nitrogen from urea or organic sources, rather than from nitrate sources. Chlorine levels should be as low as possible, preferably below 2%. A special formulation called “blueberry special” is available in Florida and meets these requirements. Another possibility is “camellia-azalea” fertilizers. Many of these fertilizers are suitable for blueberries, and they are usually readily available in small quantities for home gardeners. Spread fertilizer evenly over a circle 2 feet in diameter with the plant in the center. Repeat this procedure in April, June, August, and October. If plants are heavily mulched, use 1.5 ounces per plant per application rather than 1 ounce because some of the fertilizer will be unavailable for plant uptake. During the second year, use 2 ounces of 12-4-8 per plant per application and spread it evenly over a 3-foot diameter circle. In the third year and beyond, use 3 ounces of fertilizer per plant per application spread evenly over a 4-foot diameter circle, or broadcast in a continuous band 3–4 feet wide, centered on the plant row. These are general guidelines and should be adjusted based on plant performance. Slightly more fertilizer may be required if plants are heavily mulched. However, more often than not, cultivated blueberries suffer more from over-fertilization than from lack of fertilization.”
Blueberry cross pollination
Quick question about cross pollination. I'm brand new to gardening. I bought a pink lemonade blueberry bush without knowing anything about blueberry bushes. Everything I read says that it's better to have two bushes of different variety. Why a different variety? Could I just get a second pink lemonade bush?
Blueberries have both male
Blueberries have both male and female organs on the same flower, but not all are self-pollinating. Pink lemonade is fully self-pollinating and you don’t need a different variety for cross pollination. Some growers suggest that the berries will be bigger and sweeter if you grow a different variety nearby. For best fruiting choose to plant a rabbiteye variety like ‘Climax’ or ’Tifblue’.
growing blueberries
I live in Costa Rica and have property with good water and lots of sun. I want to grow something and I just happen to love blueberries. Is this viable
Blueberries
Sounds like you climate is perfect for blueberries. Plant in full sun, give it adequate water, and you should be good to go with periodic fertilizing. Be sure to plant two different varieties as they need cross pollination. Underwatering will cause small dry berries and overwatering will create bland tasting berries. Homegrown blueberries are the best! You can't buy that in the grocery store.
Blue Berries
I live in zone 9 and saw some "Sun Blue Berry Bushes" and am thinking of trying about 3 where I will plant them is on north side and will get afternoon and evening sun, ido you think they will survive?
Blueberries need as much sun
Blueberries need as much sun as possible to produce well. They are also picky about the soil. Please see our planting advice at top of this page. Sunshine Blue is a nice variety for warmer climates and will produce lots of berries.
Hydroponics
Hello,
I would like to know, if it is possible to grow blueberry small bushe hydroponically? Can i get berries all year long in a closed environment with 16 hours grow lights? how much berries can i get, if i could keep the growth 365 day?
Thank you very much in advance.
Alex
Hi Alex,
Hi Alex,
Blueberries can be grown hydroponically. Please go to http://luv2garden.com/hydroponic_blueberries.html and http://gardenious.com/tag/hydroponic-blueberries/ to read more about how to succeed.
Blueberry plants and sunlight
Hi, I plan on buying some blueberry plants. One area I'd like to
try in my yard doesn't get Sunlight until 1pm then gets sun until sundown.
In the summer that is 1pm to 8pm, about 7 hours. Is sunlight starting at 1pm
not enough?
Shedding Light on the Subject
Hi, jj: Much of this depends on whether they would be getting direct sunlight. Seven hours in the second half of the day is somewhat pushing the envelope for success, but it certainly might be possible. Another possibility might be to plant bushes in containers and move them (such as on a child’s wagon) to get maximum sunlight. If it were up to us, we would definitely try it with a couple of bushes as a test. Good luck!
Transplanting Young bushes
We planted a variety of 4 blueberry bushes in our yard this spring (2015). We realized halfway through the summer they had been planted too close (in a line about 2ft apart). What is a safe way to dig them up and spread them a little furthur apart? We live in Southern Louisiana and were planning on waiting until late December, January, or February, the coldest part of the year for us, when we thought the bushes would be dormant. What is the best way to do this without damaging the plants? Thanks!
Yes, transplant when the
Yes, transplant when the bushes are dormant, usually after the first frost of the fall/winter. Make sure to dig far enough around the root ball and deep down to get as much of the roots as possible. Have the new holes dug and ready for the bushes.
How much & how often can i add 20% Iron Sulfate to each B.B Bush
How much & how often can i add 20% Iron Sulfate to each Blueberry Bush to lower the P/H , i have added some Elemental Sulfur, about 2 months ago & Pine bark Fines and pine Mulch . I keep checking the P/H but everything is very slow in falling, so i bought some 20% Iron Sulfate... So i need to know how to apply it, i think 2 Tbsp's per Bush , per month is correct? But i am not for SURE? Can you help me? Thank You Jerry
The acidification process
The acidification process with elemental sulfur is slow and can take up to 6 months. It works faster when the soil is warm. Wait until spring to test the soil again and see what the values are. If you still think you need to use the iron sulfate use about 2 tablespoons per bush.
Should I cover my 1 yr old
Should I cover my 1 yr old high bush blueberries this fall to help protect from northern new hampshire winter? they are still very very small.
As long as the varieties you
As long as the varieties you have chosen are hardy to your zone, they should winter over just fine with 6 inches or so of shredded bark, pine needle, straw, or shredded leaves for a mulch; heavy snow cover will do the rest. I don’t know how practical covering them is since I don’t know how many you have or how tall they are but if you want to baby them you can place chicken wire cages over them and fill the cages with leaves or cover them with a heavy weight polypropylene row cover.
We just bought a house in
We just bought a house in middle TN that has a row of 4-5 blueberry bushes. It had a good crop this year, but i don't know how old the bushes are. Any recommendations for how i should care for them? thanks,
We live in zone 8A Pacific
We live in zone 8A Pacific North West. There is a local legend / but supposedly true story about an old Blueberry farm that was abandoned over 50, 60 years ago land locked back in the woods between other private farms. They say there are only a few plants still growing and some of them have turned into 20 or 30 foot tall trees with huge trunks that produce berries of intense flavor. Every article I have read notes that Blueberry plants only live for around 25 years. Have you ever heard of or seen any old plant living that long or looking like a tree trunk? Thanks for your help.
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