One of my favourite puerility solid food memory involves blueberry . I remember my grandmother making a delicious cheesecake topped with the risque fruits .
While they are n’t the comfortable plant life to grow , fresh berry off the plant are out of this humans . Plus , once you get them established , they are n’t too arduous to preserve .
Looking to grow these tasty fruit in your garden ? Here ’s all you ask to know about growing blueberry :
Blueberry Plant Info
BestBlueberry Varieties to Plant
There are five independent varieties of blueberries with different cultivar that branch off of those kind . Here are the varieties of blueberry you may choose from , along with some of the cultivar .
Lowbush
Lowbush , Vaccinium angustifolium , is short in stature for a blueberry bush bush . They ’re often what people use when they live with strict HOA ’s but would care to have an decorative shrub that they can get something edible from .
Also recognise as wild blueberry , multitude use this type of smorgasbord incontainer gardeningas well . It ’s also low - maintenance as it does n’t require much pruning .
It grows right in USDA zones 3 - 7 . Check out :
Northern Highbush
Northern highbush , Vaccinium corymbosum , is a taller plant life . This style of bush grows to be about 5 - 9 feet tall . This motley of blueberry bush was design to grow in the Eastern and Northeastern United States .
They require consistent pruning and spring up good in USDA zones 4 - 7 .
A few pick for this variety are :
Southern Highbush
Southern highbush , Vaccinium angustifolium , was design to grow in southern mood that have a mild wintertime season , such as Florida .
This bush will produce to a decent size of it of 6 - 8 feet marvellous . They grow in up to USDA geographical zone 10 .
Rabbit Eye Blueberries
The Rabbit Eye sort , Vaccinium ashei , was designed to produce in the Southeastern U.S. These blueberries do skilful where there are farseeing and swelter spicy summertime .
Because these berries must be so stalwart against the heat energy , they develop thicker skins and more striking seed .
They get about 15 feet marvelous and 10 feet wide and put out numerous mark around the crown . They grow estimable in USDA zone 7 - 9 .
Half-High Blueberries
This variety , Vaccinium corymbosum , is like a mix between the Northern Highbush varieties and the Lowbush varieties . They only grow to be about 3 - 4 feet in summit , and they do well in containers .
It grows ripe in USDA zones 3 - 7 and piddle a stunning ornamental flora .
How to Grow Blueberries
Blueberries take a slight extra work than planting , say , oregano . But once they get going , you ’ll be rewarded with a delicious harvest .
When to Plant Blueberries
blueberry bush bushes require to be plant as early in the leap as potential . When the ground is workable , it ’s time to get out there and put the bush into the ground .
If you go in a warm climate , plant anytime in the gloam or winter , so long as you may provide regular water .
Where to Plant Blueberries
Select a sunny , sheltered location on your property . They do brook some tincture , but you ’ll receive the best crop if the plants receive 6 - 8 hr of sunlight .
At the same clock time , some sort of tax shelter is ideal . They do n’t do well when exposed to dry out wind . Make trusted they are n’t too close to trees because trees will block the sunlight and will draw up supernumerary moisture , which the blueberry bushes need .
If you ’re planting more than one blueberry bush plant life , you should do so in a patch rather than disperse them throughout your garden . This boost grumpy - pollenation , which advance more berry production and increase the quality of the berries .
Prepare Your Ground
blueberry bush bushes have shallow roots , so you need to check that that the soil you put the plant into can control moisture . At the same time , the soil needs to drain well . Standing water will kill the theme of your bushes .
Make trusted the soil is n’t big or stiff - like . If so , you ask to add sand , compost , or peat moss to increase the drainage of the soil .
Make certain that the region you are planting in does n’t impart water standing or that the soil is too ironic .
Most significantly , blueberries want acidic soil . The soil pH level should be between 4 - 5 . Consider testing your grunge for a right pH point to get this part correct .
If you need to increase the sour in your stain , attempt to mix some grain sulfur into the soil . Peat moss , pine bark , or pine phonograph needle are also skilful options .
combine compost and any other amendment you need into the grunge before you embed your scrub .
Plant the Bush
You cangrow blueberry from seeds . It just takes a long metre . you could alsogrow blueberries from cuttings . They take longer to produce as well .
The easiest way is to implant either bare - roots or blueberry plant in containers . au naturel - roots are the most inexpensive ; you’re able to find one between $ 5 - 10 , depending on where you bribe it .
essay to find industrial plant or roots that are 2 - 3 years older . Any older and the plant will have organ transplant shock absorber , extending the time until your first harvest .
When it ’s prison term to plant your bushes , dig a hole that is 20 inches inscrutable and 18 column inch wide . Your hole require to be around twice as wide and twice as deep as the root word of your flora .
In the bottom of the hole , put some peat moss , cured sawdust , compost , or other filth amendments to feed your bushes . Then , adjust your George Herbert Walker Bush into the maw , spreading the roots out as equally as you may .
Never put your bush any deeper than it was on the pot .
Once your naked - roots or potted bush is in the ground , tightly pack the hole with soil . Water deep to assist found the roots in the ground .
Spacing
If you ’re implant multiple George Bush , blank each bush 4 - 5 feet aside in a dustup , and put the words 8 pes across .
Fertilize
The final step in planting your bushes comes a calendar month after planting . You need to go back and add fertilizer to the Qaeda of the bush . apply a small dose of a 10 - 10 - 10 fertilizer .
Then , your job is finished for now , and you let the plant life take over from there .
Can You Plant Blueberries in Containers?
Surprisingly , yes , you could rise blueberries in containers . It ’s a fantastic estimation , and for many gardeners , it ’s easy to develop blueberries in container because you could protect them from dame and other critters more well .
You ’ll want a big container , typically a 10 - 20 gallon pot , with drain holes . Be sure that you use a potting grunge that is designed for acid - bonk plants , such as ones that are meant for azalea .
Plant a variety that is meant for containers or modest spaces . There are blueberries cultivated specifically for spate , so look for those .
Caring for Your Blueberries
Blueberry plant take a long fourth dimension to produce a harvest . On average , it learn three age before you have even a small harvest . A full crop take up to six year , so you need longanimity .
Until then , you still need to take fear of your President George W. Bush . Here is what you need to know .
How Much Water Do Blueberries Need?
Blueberries necessitate 1 - 2 inch of body of water per calendar week , at least . It ’s good if the plants get a deep watering at least once a week . If you have a dry spell or hot weather , check the soil often to be trusted it ’s not too dry .
If you adhere your finger into the grunge and it ’s dry beyond 1 - inch , it ’s fourth dimension to water .
blueberry bush bushes need one to two in of water per week . This means if female parent nature does n’t allow it , then you ’ll want to by consistently water your plant .
Mulching Around The Bushes
It ’s a skillful thought to mulch around the blueberry bushes because the mulch assist to keep the shallow antecedent scheme moist , decreasing how often you demand to water each week .
Try put a 2 - 4 inch layer of sawdust , pine needles , or woodchips around the basis of your bush once you plant it . Leave a crack around the trunk of the bush because it allow for for maximal airflow .
Fertilizing Blueberries
One month after planting your bushes , use fertilizer . It ’s best to utilize 1/2 ounce of a 10 - 10 - 10 fertilizer that you put in a circle around your plant . Keep the fertilizer 6 - 12 inches from the diadem .
A yr afterwards , apply one ounce of 10 - 10 - 10 fertilizer per bush in the leaping when it ’s blooming sentence . Every year adopt , increase your fertilizer by one more ounce until you give a uttermost of eight ounces .
For example , in the third yr , you ’d be feeding your plant life three oz. of fertiliser .
Pinch the Blossoms
There ’s no pruning needed in the first few years , but what you do involve to do is remove any blossom that appear on the bushes . That ’s a bit disheartening because you know that those prime turn into fruits . However , it pay off because it leads to big , more vigorous bushes .
You do n’t need your blueberry bush Dubya to bring out the first year or two for have a decent next harvest . You ’ll need to pinch off any blooms on the blueberry bushes that you see .
How to Prune The Bushes
If you grow any other fruit Bush , such as raspberries , you know that pruning is part of the pot . For the first four years , you do n’t need to prune blueberry bushes , which is awe-inspiring . That ’s less body of work for you .
After the first four years , you do need to prune because it stimulates the ontogeny of novel shoots . Those new shoots will birth yield in the next season , so if you require a harvest , you ’ll have to get pruning .
The best clip to cut your plants is in former winter or early spring , before new development starts . Remove any dead , broken , short , fallible , or unknown - looking shoots .
If you have high - bush blueberry :
If you have lowbush blueberries :
Common Problems with Blueberries
Every plant life has its problems and blueberries are no unlike . Here are the result they face :
Birds
Birds will often get along and snag your harvest home before you have the chance . The solution to beating these pests is quite simple .
Purchase some bird net and throw it over your blueberry . Then when you are ready to pick , you just withdraw the gauze while pick and put it back when done .
Blueberry Maggots
The next pest on the list is blueberry maggot . rainfly lay the eggs of their materialization in newly starting blueberry bush . Then , as the blueberries grow , so do the maggot inside them . This does n’t harm the plant , but it does ruin your harvest .
The solution is either spray your plants with a pesticide to deter flies , or to select varieties that make it unmanageable for bugs to lay their eggs . cultivar like Northland and Herbert are salutary option .
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is a fungus that looks like powder has been switch all over your blueberry bushes . The only means to free yourself of this fungus is to use a targeted fungicide or to dispatch the septic portion of the plants .
Best Companion Plants for Blueberries
There are some plants that do well when planted near one another . Blueberries do n’t have many of these plants , but they do have a few . Here they are :
Rhododendron
These beautiful flowers have a way of provide just enough tint to the blueberry bush roots that it protects them from the heat during the summer . Both blueberry bush and rhododendron like acid soil .
Basil
Basil can grow in slightly acidic filth , get it a beneficial companion for blueberries .
Also , because blueberries are poor plants they do n’t put the fruit of the blueberry bush in too much shadowiness .
Thyme
Thyme is like basil . It can grow in acidic grunge , and it ’s short , which means it does n’t stop the pubic hair from getting the sunlight it needs to develop the desired fruit .
How to Harvest and Store Your Blueberries
Most blueberry bush are ready to reap between June and August . You do n’t need to reap them as presently as they turn aristocratic ; expect a few day . When the Berry descend into your hands , they ’re quick .
How and When to Harvest
When your blueberry bush call on a drear blue air you ’ll get it on they are quick for picking .
Then you ’ll use a minor bucket to walk around your blueberry bush patch and take in the blueberry . There is n’t much to picking them because when they are quick , they ’ll easy fall off into your hand .
Wash Them
Once you have them pick , you are quick to get your blueberries in and wash them . Run them under cold pee to polish off all of the dirt .
Pick Your Preservation Method
Of course , they ’re toothsome fresh or as a topping for dessert , yogurt , granola , or pancakes . But you may preserve blueberries so you may revel them all year long .
Then you’re able to pass down the list of the8 different methods of bear on your blueberry bush harvestand see which method acting you prefer . They vary between freezing , canning , drying , making a syrup , and so much more .
Blueberries Are Worth the Effort
If you ’ve been intimidate to try out grow blueberries , do n’t be . You ’re now armed with the information you need to make these plant life thrive .
Was this article helpful?
What went wrong?
This clause incorporate incorrect selective information
This clause does not have the information I am looking for
How can we improve it?
We appreciate your helpful feedback!
Your answer will be used to meliorate our substance . The more feedback you give us , the better our pages can be .
