How to Plant Blueberry Plants in Florida

Blueberries are a delicious and nutritious treat and can grow well in Florida. Select varieties such as 'Emerald' and 'Jewel' as they have low chill hour requirements and produce large, high-quality berries. Select two or more cultivars because they require cross-pollination and it will extend the harvest season. (Two types of blueberries are highbush and rabbiteye. Rabbiteye types are easier to grow, however, fruit is smaller and seeds are bigger.) Measure pH prior to planting as blueberries prefer soils with a pH range of 4.0 to 5.5. Add pine bark, pine needles, and organic matter to lower the pH and to keep soils cool and weed-free.

Two or more types of blueberry bushes
pH meter
Pine bark mulch
Acid sphagnum peat moss
1 gallon of water per plant
Shovel
Pruning shears

Instructions

- 1
  
  Pick only when fully purple.
  
  Purchase two or more cultivars of blueberry bushes during the months of December through February from your favorite garden center or plant nursery. Purchase acid sphagnum peat moss and a bag of pine bark at the same time to have on hand when planting them.
- 2
  Select site and measure pH of soil using the pH meter. It is helpful to plant blueberries near pine trees as the soil is more acid around them.
- 3
  Dig a hole with the shovel that is 4 inches larger than the pot the blueberries were grown in and as deep as the height of the root ball. Mix even parts of pine bark, sphagnum peat moss and soil that has been dug out of the planting hole to lower pH.
- 4
  
  Blueberries ready for market.
  
  Remove the plant from the pot, spread the roots, and lower the bare-rooted plant into the hole. Raise or lower the plant by adding or removing soil so that the top level of the soil under the plant is even with the soil of the surrounding area. Fill in the spaces surrounding the plant with the newly created soil mix. Use the top end of the shovel to tamp the soil around the root ball.
- 5
  
  Blueberries grow well in a raised and mulched bed.
  
  Pour 1 gallon of water gently around each plant to reduce air pockets in the soil. Remove weeds or grasses from surrounding area. Apply mulch around base of plant that extends 2 feet.
- 6
  
  Supply water to blueberry bushes on a regular bases.
  
  Prune the blueberry bushes at time of planting. Remove twiggy growth at base of plant with the pruning shears. Trim the tallest cane to three-quarters of the original height. Remove all flowers before fruit set the first season to prevent fruit from setting to ensure vigorous vegetative growth and establishment of the plant.

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How to Prune Blueberry Plants

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