How to Culture Blueberries

Blueberries are a widely planted small fruit, with the bushes providing both ornamental and food value to the landscape. Deciduous blueberry bushes have glossy, dark green foliage that assumes a red shade in fall. The plants bloom with a profusion of small white flowers at the end of spring. The fruit is good for fresh eating or may be cooked in a variety of ways. Given the right cultural conditions, you can grow blueberries with minimal care.

Blueberry plants
Shovel
Acidic soil amendment (optional)
Organic mulch

Instructions

- 1
  Select an area of full sun for planting your blueberry bushes. It is best to buy named varieties suitable for your climate from a nursery.
- 2
  Check soil for pH, since blueberries need an acidic soil with a pH of 4.0 to 5.0 for best growth. Make sure the ground is well drained to avoid suffocation of roots. Planting in soil with high pH will cause plants to gradually yellow and die.
- 3
  Plant during spring in shallow planting holes that easily accommodate roots. Fill hole with equal amount of soil and organic matter. There should be 3 to 4 inches of soil over the root area. Space plants 6 feet apart.
- 4
  Apply 2 to 4 inches of mulch around plants after planting. Recommended mulch materials include peat moss, chopped straw or sawdust. Mulch maintains soil temperature, retains soil moisture and reduces weeds.
- 5
  Water to moisten soil. Avoid completely saturating the ground.
- 6
  Remove the flowers from the plants during the first two years of growth. This helps to promote healthy vegetative growth that is good for flower and fruit production in the long run. Blueberry bushes are long lived with a life span of 30 to 50 years.
- 7
  Protect fruit from birds by covering the entire bush with netting draped over a light wooden frame. Make sure the covering does not shade the plants. Remove after harvesting the fruit.

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