How to Grow Blueberries in Pine Bark

Plant blueberries in the autumn or winter, using pots of pine bark instead of soil. Make sure to plant directly in sunlight or light shade. Plant two different varieties of blueberries in order to maximize the outcome of your crop. Once planted, water well with rainwater (as opposed to tap water), because tap water is high in lime and adds acidity to the pine bark.

Start watering pots with rainwater once the blueberry buds appear on the branches in the spring, and continue to water plants until the fall season, when their leaves begin to drop. Light pruning may also be needed at this time, but not necessary until the second or third year. From November to March, when the bush is not producing, is the best time to prune. To prune, locate the dead or dying branches above the rim of the pot. Pruning regularly will protect the more fruit-bearing branches for the next season.

Begin harvesting when the blueberries are a dark-blue color. Because blueberries grow in clusters, the bush in your pot may need to be picked more than once in the same harvesting season. For a stronger flavor, leave the blueberries on the branch for a few extra days after they initially turn dark blue. If not picked at all, the blueberries will fall to the ground. During the fruit-bearing season, keep your pots covered with netting to protect them from hungry birds.

Continue to prune as necessary once the harvest season is over (from November to March), keeping in mind that branches that produced fruit the previous season will continue to produce the following harvest season.