How to Grow Blueberries in Washington

Choose the berry cultivar which you'll plant. Varieties such as Earliblue, Spartan, Bluejay, Patriot and Darrow do especially well in the climate of Washington State.

Start with a two-year-old bareroot stock or three-year-old container stock purchased from a nursery.

Find an area of your yard that's suitable for planting. To thrive, blueberries need soil with a pH level between 4 and 5, according to Washington State University. Soil treatment with sulfur can increase acidity, and treatment with lime can decrease it. The area should also be clear from other plants and receive full sun for at least six hours.

Prepare the area for planting by digging a hole roughly ¾ inches deeper than the root bulb. Place the blueberry bush in the hole and pack the soil to reduce air pockets. Cover the base with mulch, which helps with soil drainage.

Water the new blueberry bush upon planting and every few days during the first two weeks. After this time has passed, continue to water once a week from June through August. Washington State University recommends this to encourage successful berry production in the state's climate.

Apply fertilizer made of ammonium sulfate each spring at the base of the plant. Avoid getting it on the leaves. Fishmeal is an alternative fertilizer option for those wanting to grow organic berries.

Avoid pruning during the first three years. When the plants begin to mature, prune the spreading branches closest to the ground using hand shears.