How to Grow Florida Blueberries in Potting Soil

Plant blueberries in late winter to early spring in Florida, ahead of the last frost, to ensure a dormant planting. Timing may range from December to March, depending on location.

Choose sites with full sunshine, air circulation and quick year-round drainage for blueberries. The plants grow in partial shade but don't bloom or produce as much fruit. Give highbush varieties 4 to 5 feet of space and rabbiteye varieties 6 feet of space in the row. Leave 10 to 12 feet between multiple rows.

Plant Florida-friendly southern highbush and rabbiteye cultivars such as Austin, Climax, Chaucer, Tifblue, Bluecrisp, Emerald, Millennia, Misty, Sapphire and Sharpblue for best success. Plant the blueberry bushes in holes as deep and wide as their root systems and pack amended soil down around the roots for best soil exposure. Water each bush with 1/2 gallon of water to settle the soil around the roots.

Lay 2 to 3 inches of pine needles, bark, wood chips or sawdust over the soil around each bush. These acidic mulches lend more nutrition to the soil as they break down, and maintain soil moisture and warmth during the season. Put each bush on a schedule of 2 inches of water every week.

Fertilize the blueberry bushes when new growth appears in spring. Give each bush 1 tablespoon of 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 fertilizer. Sprinkle the granules in a circle 1 foot around each plant, turn it into the soil and water. Repeat the feedings at 6-week intervals into mid-summer.