How to Winterize Blueberry Plants

Defoliate your blueberry bush before the first freeze. Blueberries gradually aquire a resistance to the cold as they go into dormancy for winter. Plants with leaves acquire the resistance much slower than those without. You can snip off the remaining leaves on your plant to help it go more fully dormant.

Spread manure or compost in a circle around the blueberry bush. Spread it about a foot around the base of the plant but do not pile the organic material on the stem or it will rot. The manure or compost acts as a source of nutrition that will leech into the soil around the roots as moisture hits it.

Scatter the hay or straw around the blueberry bush. Make it an inch or two thick to act as a blanket for tender roots. Again, do not pile it up around the stem. Leave a little gap for the stem to breath.

Water the plant if a freeze is forecast. Dry roots sustain a lot of damage when they freeze because they are brittle. Plants need water in winter also, and have to be hand watered if the winter is not bringing precipitation that is usable. The moist soil will also absorb more heat during the day than dry soil and can keep the roots of the bush warmer.

Wrap the plant in tree wrap. It will keep heat in and insulate the plant. You can also use burlap. The cover should not remain on the plant all winter. Wrap the plant only in periods of freeze and then unwrap so the tree can breathe and collect energy in the daytime.