How to Protect Blueberry Plants From Freeze

During the winter, when flower buds are dormant, a highbush blueberry is capable of withstanding temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Rabbiteye bushes, however, may only survive temperatures of between zero and minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the flower buds begin to emerge in the spring, the blueberry bush becomes much more susceptible to freeze and/or frost-related damage. In fact, after the flower has begun to emerge, temperatures lower than 20 degrees Fahrenheit will prove harmful. Avoid frost damage to your blueberries by paying close attention to the weather forecasts in your area and planning preemptive action.

Row covers or nursery foam cover
Garden hose
Portable heaters (for severe cold)

Instructions

- 1
  Drape row covers or nursery foam covers over your blueberry bushes during the mid-afternoon hours on the day before the predicted freeze. This will help trap and retain the heat necessary to ward off the nighttime frost.
- 2
  Maintain soil moisture around the blueberry bushes. If necessary, use a garden hose to keep the soil moist throughout the spring. Moist soil retains heat better than dry soil. On cold nights, the moist soil releases the heat upward, warming the blueberries or blossoms.
- 3
  Place several, small portable heaters around the blueberry bushes as a last resort for extremely cold nights (lower than 20 degrees Fahrenheit). Position the heaters at regular intervals. Several heaters are more effective than a single, large heater.

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