Growing Blueberry Bushes in Northeast Michigan

Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) are best grown in the southern half of the lower Michigan peninsula, below a line roughly from Muskegon to Saginaw Bay. A limiting factor is the ease of raising blueberry bushes in northeastern lower Michigan is the extend of winter cold. East of Interstate 75 above Bay City typically endures winter low temperatures from -15 to -30 degrees F, which will kill back branches on many of the highbush blueberry bushes most often grown in the state. Choosing more cold-hardy types as well as siting the bushes in a protected location on your property helps blueberries survive the winter better in northeastern Michigan, although it poses challenges and disappointments.

Half-highbush blueberry bush variety

Instructions

- 1
  Purchase a variety of blueberry shrub that is known as a "half-high" type. According to Jim Hancock and Eric Hanson of Michigan State University, half-high types grow much shorter (only 2 to 4 feet tall) and possess much better tolerance to winter cold than common highbush blueberries. Half-high blueberries are a hybrid between lowbush (Vaccinium angustifolium) and highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum) blueberry shrubs. "Northblue" and "Chippewa" are varieties of half-high bushes to request at a garden center.
- 2
  Plant the half-high blueberry bushes in early spring with ideal growing conditions in your garden. Blueberry plants have shallow roots and must have an acidic soil (pH 4.5 to 5.0) that is moist, sandy, well-drained but also rich in organic matter. Avoid low, "frost-prone" areas as they may cause flowers to be killed by a late spring frost in northeastern counties, diminishing fruit set. Also avoid cold, windy sites. A gently sloped bed with exposure to the south and east is best.
- 3
  Water the half-high blueberries across the growing season to maintain an evenly moist soil. Michigan State University experts recommended irrigating to a soil depth of 12 to 16 inches with a slow trickle of water to prevent any pooling of water on the soil above the shallow blueberry bush's roots. Drought in spring and summer can result in lower fruit production yields.
- 4
  Spread a 6- to 8-inch mulch layer under the blueberry bushes to conserve soil moisture, provide decomposing humus and help keep the pH low. Use weathered pine or oak sawdust, bark or needles/leaves as they naturally produce acidic compost as they degrade.
- 5
  Fertilize blueberries according to recommendations provided by your local Cooperative Extension office. Nitrogen is the primary nutrient needed in Michigan soils for blueberry culture. Use fertilizers made of urea or ammonium sulfate. Do not use nitrate forms such as calcium nitrate, or fertilizers containing chloride according to Michigan State University. Consult product labels for appropriate dosages.

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