How to Grow Blueberries in North Carolina

North Carolina gardeners can plant blueberries almost year round, depending upon soil type, according to the North Carolina State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Blueberries offer a variety of benefits. Not only can you harvest the berries but you can also make excellent hedges and landscaping screens from them. Blueberries typically require lower pH levels in soil than regular plants. Test your soil prior to planting so you can determine whether or not you need to till additives in order to correct the pH level.

Peat moss
Soaker hose
Spade
Roto-tiller
Fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Add peat moss to your soil to ensure proper nutrients and soil drainage. You should till 3 to 4 inches of the peat moss into the soil, at a depth of 6 to 8 inches.
- 2
  Plant your blueberry shrubs about 4 to 5 feet apart in a row. When not using mulch, you should plant the shrubs 1 or 2 inches deeper in the soil.
- 3
  Water the plants using a soaker hose. This ensures each plant receives adequate water throughout the growing season.
- 4
  Prune blueberry bushes back to allow only the strongest one to three shoots to grow.
- 5
  Fertilize blueberry plants carefully. Too much fertilizer can quickly damage the plant. You should apply 12-12-12 or 10-10-10 NPK fertilizers in a circle around plants each six weeks.
- 6
  Place mulch around the plants to prevent weeds and control moisture. About 3 to 4 inches is preferable for mulching.

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