How to Grow Blueberry Bushes in Illinois

Choose a planting area for the blueberry bush, making sure it has well-draining soil and receives a minimum of six hours direct sunlight. Morning sunlight works best for blueberry bushes, as it is less harsh than the hot afternoon sun.

Test the soil pH in the fall season prior to planting the following spring. Blueberry bushes grow best in an acidic soil pH of 4.8 to 5.2. Lower the soil pH by working ground rock sulfur into the soil according to the packaging application rates for the square foot of planting area; let it rest during the Illinois winter months.

Apply 3 to 4 inches of organic compost to the planting area once the ground thaws in spring and work it with a rototiller to a depth of 10 inches. Let the soil rest until there is no longer a risk of frost in the Illinois landscape.

Dig a planting hole twice as wide and 1 to 2 inches deeper than the blueberry root ball. Mix equal amounts of organic compost into the removed soil to increase water-draining ability.

Add a 1- to 2-inch layer of acidic peat moss into the bottom of the planting hole and set the bush in so the top of the root ball is even with the ground level. Pack the amended soil around the root ball.

Soak the soil with water after planting the blueberry bush to pack the soil around the root ball and stimulate root establishment. Continue to provide 1 to 2 inches of water to the soil over the blueberry bush roots each week during the growing season to keep the soil moist, but not saturated.

Remove 50 percent of the blueberry bush branches after planting to promote strong, new branch growth. Cut off the blueberry blossoms that appear during the first two growing seasons to allow the bush to increase in size. Keep the blossoms on the plant starting in the third growing season.

Place a 3- to 4-inch layer of acidic mulch over the root ball area of the blueberry bushes. Sawdust or bark mulch works well for blueberry bushes.

Fertilize established blueberry bushes each spring with an ammonium sulfate fertilizer before blossom growth on the bushes. This will increase soil acidity for the blueberry bushes. Do not fertilize blueberry bushes after planting as this can burn the root structure.

Place bird netting over the blueberry bushes once the blossoms appear to prevent damage and berry loss to birds.