When to Prune Blueberries

Seasonal Pruning

• Prune your blueberry bushes in the dormant winter season. The best time to prune blueberry plants is January or February, shortly before the spring thaw. New growth will begin in the spring, rejuvenating your plants and providing healthy canes for the best fruit production. During the first two growing seasons, remove all flowers as they bloom to prevent the plant from producing fruit until the third year of development.

Pruning Process

• Remove weak, dead or damaged branches first. In plants 2 years old or younger, prune only these branches along with flower buds. Remove all canes that are 6 years old or older in subsequent years, pruning the bushes to 5-year and younger growth. The majority of the remaining canes should be greater than one year old, with only three or four of the remaining 10 to 12 branches being from the first two years of plant growth.

Regular Care

• Water blueberry bushes on a regular basis to avoid dry roots. The blueberry plant root system is shallow, remaining close to the surface. Blueberries need 1 to 2 inches of water every week, preferably spread over the entire week for best absorption. Account for any natural rainfall when you calculate your plant's watering needs. Pull any weeds as soon as you notice them. Weeds can tap the nutrients in the soil and can draw bug infestations.

Harvest

• Blueberries ripen for picking around the middle of July through the end of August. Pick the berries that exhibit a rich blue color without any indications of red flesh. Protect your berry crop from birds by covering the plants with nets or other material to form a barrier. Secure the coverings with stakes or heavy rocks at all times when you are not harvesting berries. Expect up to 25 lbs. of berries from each blueberry bush during a season's production.