How to Grow & Care for Blueberries

Grow the blueberry bush in loose, well-draining, mildly acidic soil with pH between 4.5 and 5.5. Pull out weeds and other vegetation near the desired planting site to remove competition for the shallow-rooted berries. Space multiple blueberry bushes 7 to 8 feet apart.

Provide each blueberry bush 1 inch of water twice a week using a soaker hose. Increase the frequency of irrigation during the prolonged periods of drought. However, avoid over watering the plant or causing puddles of water at its base.

Spread 3 to 4 tablespoons of a well-balanced fertilizer around the blueberry bush soon after planting it in spring. Increase the dosage by 1 ounce every year until you reach 8 ounces. Alternatively, spread 1 pound of ammonium sulfate per 100 square foot of planting area every spring.

Mulch the soil around the bush to retain soil moisture, keep the roots cool and prevent weeds from popping nearby. Maintain a 2- to 3-inch-thick layer of organic mulch, such as wood chips, pine needles or shredded leaves throughout the year.

Clip off or pluck tiny blossoms that grow on the blueberry bush during the first two years to reserve and direct energy for root development and establishment. This practice greatly increases output in the following years.

Prune the bush lightly the first three years after planting, removing only dead or damaged limbs. During the fourth year, prune the plant between fall and spring, removing weak, dead, overgrown or crossing limbs, to maintain size and invigorate growth. Clip off branches smaller than the width of a pencil. Clip off old, unproductive branches, leaving eight to 10 productive branches.