Where & How to Plant Blueberry Bushes in North Carolina

Decide on which type of blueberry to plant in your yard. Choose either highbush (Duke, Sunrise, Blueray) or rabbiteye (Climax, Premier, Powderblue) varieties for the majority of locations in North Carolina. Plant highbush varieties only if you live in the mountains, as these types can survive harsher, colder winters.

Choose a spot in your yard or garden to plant the blueberry bushes in full sun and well-drained soil. Allow a little bit of shade in the late afternoon if you are in a part of North Carolina that gets above 90 degree temperatures in the afternoons.

Test the soil where you want to plant your blueberries. Make adjustments so that the pH soil is the ideal of 4.8. Make any adjustments to the soil three to four months before you want to plant the blueberry bushes to give the pH of the soil time to adjust. Add peat moss or compost if you live in a sandy area of North Carolina. Add more sand to allow for more drainage if you live in a mountainous region of North Carolina.

Purchase 2- to 3-year-old plants from a reputable grower. Watch for garden shops or online stores that offer guarantees of their plant quality.

Plant the new bushes as soon as you buy them or receive them in the mail as growers make these available at the time of year when they are ready to plant. In North Carolina this will be from February to March.

Keep the roots damp between the time you receive the plants to the time you plant the bushes, even if it is only a few hours.

Use the spade to dig a hole that is about 12 inches deep and 8 inches in diameter. Spread out the roots of the blueberry bush and cover with soil. Cover 6 to 8 inches of the stem of the bush to hold it in the soil firmly.

Cut back the top 2/3 of new growth. Remove any flower bulbs that may have already appeared so your blueberry bush does not flower the first year. Allow it to grow without flowering to gain in hardiness.

Add 1 tbsp. of azalea fertilizer after the leaves appear and fully develop.

Expect to begin harvesting your blueberries in North Carolina about the middle of June. Attend blueberry festivals throughout North Carolina to taste test different varieties of blueberries and obtain new recipes.