How to Care for Wild Blueberries

Wild blueberries, also known as lowbush blueberries, are one of only four fruits native to North America, notes the University of Maine. One advantage of wild blueberries is that their short height makes protecting the bushes from birds an easy task. With proper care, you can help your wild blueberry bushes prosper, ensuring a bountiful harvest in the summer.

Soil pH test kit
Aluminum sulfate (optional)
Mulch or peat moss

Instructions

- 1
  Plant your wild blueberry bushes in a sunny area away from trees and other plants. For optimal fruit production, blueberries need at least six hours of sunlight.
- 2
  Measure the soil acidity before planting. Optimal soil acidity for blueberries is 4.0. Work aluminum sulfate into the soil to lower the pH. Apply according to label directions and check the pH regularly to see if another application is required.
- 3
  Place mulch or peat moss around the base of the planted wild blueberry bushes to ensure adequate soil drainage.
- 4
  Water your blueberries at least once a week during times of dry weather. When you first plant the bushes, water every other day for several weeks.
- 5
  Prune the wild blueberry bushes to the ground every other year after the growing season. Stagger your plantings on a two-year cycle so you always have some plants producing fruit while others are growing.

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