Blueberry Plant Growth

Soil

• Soil composition is crucial to blueberry plant health. Soil with a pH level of between 4 and 5 will create an acidity level that will promote healthy blueberry plants. If your soil is too alkaline -- meaning the pH level is too high -- amend the soil to adjust the pH level before planting blueberry plants. Options for acidifying the soil include adding elemental sulfur or iron sulfate to the soil. Add between 1 and 2 lbs. of elemental sulfur for every 50 cubic feet of soil or about 6 lbs. of iron sulfate for the same size planting area. Elemental sulfur requires at least one year to produce change in the soil and iron sulfate can produce change in one month. Iron sulfate is more expensive to use because you must apply more to amend the soil.

Plant Selection

• Select a blueberry cultivar that will grow in your region. Some blueberry cultivars can survive cold winter temperatures that occur in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 and 4 and other cultivars require warmer zones such as 4, 5 or 6. By planting a blueberry plant that will tolerate the growing conditions in your region, you help ensure healthy blueberry plants.

Planting

• Plant blueberry plants in the spring, digging holes for each bush that are about 3 to 5 feet apart. Make sure the holes are deep enough to accommodate the root systems so that the crowns of the plants will be at the same depth as they were in their temporary containers. Most blueberry cultivars require planting more than one plant to enable cross-pollination for fruiting.

Water

• Keep the soil evenly moist during the first growing season to ensure strong root formation. Young blueberry bushes require between 1 1/2 and 3 inches of water every week. Blueberry plants with root systems that dry out may not be able to absorb water adequately again, resulting in shrub death. Provide water for blueberry bushes before you notice leaf wilt. Applying mulch to the soil can help conserve moisture.

Fertilizer

• Fertilize blueberry bushes carefully, because excess fertilizer can damage the shrubs. Use 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 fertilizer, but wait until the initial leaves grow to mature size. Spread 1 tbsp. of granular fertilizer over the soil beneath each shrub every six weeks until about one month before the end of the active growing season.

Weed Control

• Use mulch to control weed growth, applying wood chips or straw in a 4-inch-thick layer beneath the shrubs. Pull weeds by hand when they appear to keep them from encroaching on the shrubs.

Pruning

• Cut back a newly planted blueberry plant immediately after planting. Remove about half of the growth of a potted plant so between one and three shoots remain. Remove all buds that appear in the first growing season to prevent blossoming. Prune a mature blueberry bush by removing dead and diseased canes. Prune bushes after they blossom to prevent overproduction. Remove weak and thin stems that have so many blossom clusters that they weigh down the stems.