Information on Blueberry Bush Plants

Requirements

• Blueberries grow best in acidic soil with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5. Test your soil, and if the pH is too high, add shredded pine bark, pine needles or leaf mold to the soil and in the holes when planting. Blueberry bushes enjoy the addition of compost to the soil. It not only gives the soil the nutrients that the bushes need, but it also keeps well-drained soil moist, which is another requirement, along with full sun exposure.

When to Plant

• Plant bare root or container plants that are about 2 inches tall. In mild climates they can safely be planted mid-December to February, and in cold climates plant in early spring.

Planting

• Dig holes about 18 inches wide for bare root plants. Dig them deep enough to cover all the roots and the bottom part of the main branch. Place a mixture of compost and soil in the bottom of the hole, place the roots in and fill with more of the soil-compost mixture. Dig a hole large enough to contain the root ball of a plant in a container, place it in the hole and cover it with the compost-soil mixture. Plant it at the same height it was when it was in the container.

Maintenance

• Blueberry bushes require annual pruning to keep productive. Prune after the harvest, removing all broken and unproductive canes in warm climates. In cold climates, prune when the plant is dormant. Severe pruning should not take place until the bush is 4 years old. Then all dead or thin branches should be removed. Always leave six to eight good branches. Bushes should be narrow at the bottom, full at the top and open in the middle to allow for circulation. Prune to keep this shape by taking off any branches that touch or cross.

Types

• Low bush varieties grow to 3 feet and tolerate weather to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit. They produce less than other varieties but enough for a backyard gardener. High bush blueberries grow 5 to 6 feet tall and must have a cold period to stay productive. They should not be planted in mild climates. They produce heavily and require little maintenance. Rabbiteye bushes are suitable in mild climates planted in soil with a great deal of compost. They also need to be mulched to keep moisture in the soil. These bushes grow to 8 feet and bear heavily.