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The Best Time to Prune a Blueberry Bush in Georgia

According to the University Of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Georgia is the fifth-largest blueberry-producing state. The rabbiteye blueberry bush is native to Georgia and usually produces fruit during the second or third year of planting. As the bushes grow larger, the amount of fruit each bush yields increases.
  1. Planting

    • Blueberry bushes should be transplanted during the winter. Recommended spacing between bushes within a row is six feet. A space of 12 feet is suggested between rows. Blueberry bushes require pruning at the time of planting. Remove about one-half to one-third of the plant top at this time. Remove twigs and all of the flower buds at this time, as well.

    Pruning

    • Blueberry bushes require little pruning until they reach heights of 6 to 8 feet. Prune in the winter, removing one to three of the largest canes at ground level or up to 24 inches from the ground. This process is known as a cane-renewing program.

    Potential

    • A cane-renewing program ensures that Georgia blueberry bushes are totally renewed over a five-year period. Canes that are very tall may be cut back by six to eight feet each winter. More productive canes will sprout below the ground.