{"id":2351,"date":"2019-06-06T09:38:54","date_gmt":"2019-06-06T09:38:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/?p=2351"},"modified":"2020-01-22T09:07:29","modified_gmt":"2020-01-22T09:07:29","slug":"blueberry-15-tips-on-how-to-plant-care-prune-harvest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/blueberry-15-tips-on-how-to-plant-care-prune-harvest\/","title":{"rendered":"Blueberry: 15 Tips on How to Plant, Care, Prune & Harvest"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Blueberries are one of the most popular types of berry plants, and they can be found in gardens all over the world. Preferring acidic soil and access to full sun for most of the day, they aren\u2019t known as particularly fussy plants which makes them perfect for any gardener no matter how long they have been gardening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They\u2019re also one of the healthiest berries out there: Just a cupful of blueberries has approximately 10% of the vitamin C of your daily recommended intake, and they\u2019re one of the best possible sources of antioxidants that can boost your immune system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s not the only reason why you should grow them, either. There are few things that are as satisfying for a gardener as harvesting blueberries from your very own garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are 8 great useful tips on how to plant, care, prune & harvest blueberry plants that gardeners of any skill level can use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Ideal Soil Conditions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the first things that you have to do as a gardener when intending to plant anything is to make sure the conditions are right. Step one is to work through the soil with a gardening fork and to remove any debris, including rocks and previous plant material. Then start off by adding compost to the soil first at least two weeks before planting, and then test the pH of the soil after.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most types of plants prefer growing in neutral pH soil, but this is not the case for blueberries: They prefer much more acidic types of soil instead, measuring a little closer to 4.5 to 5.0. Sometimes coffee grounds added to the soil can be one way to quickly increase soil acidity if you notice that it\u2019s not optimal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blueberries won\u2019t grow well in neutral soil, and this can even greatly impair their long-term growth and stop the plants from carrying fruit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Composting for Blueberries<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Composting is one of the most essential parts of preparing the soil, especially for planting blueberries. Start off with general compost added to the soil a few weeks before intending to plant as described above \u2013 from there, you can measure the pH and adjust the composting needs accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For blueberries to grow happily, they need soil between 4.5 and 5.0 \u2013 lower or higher and you won\u2019t have the optimal growth you\u2019re looking for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you need to increase the acidity of the soil, simply mixing some used coffee grounds into the soil and then measuring the pH levels again can sometimes be enough. Powdered lime can also be mixed into soil to increase the acidity levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Store-bought fertilizer can also be used for composting, but should always be diluted according to the instructions on the packaging to avoid killing your plants. Also never place fertilizer too close to the roots: This burns the roots due to over-acidity, and it\u2019s a sure plant killer for blueberries.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. When to Plant<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When to plant blueberries is one of the most common questions for gardeners who have never done it before \u2013 and if you plant at the wrong time, then you risk killing plants before they have a fighting chance to take root. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to plant blueberries, most gardeners choose to go with already-established plants to transplant rather than growing from seeds, which can potentially take years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ideally, blueberries should be planted during the early springtime or just when the winter season is about to come to an end. This means that the harshest of the cold and frost has already passed \u2013 although if you live in colder areas, you can also plant them in containers where they can be brought inside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choose a part of your garden where your blueberry plants get access to sunlight for most of the day, but without it being harsh and full sunlight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Companion Plants<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Garden planning is an essential step for gardeners, and it\u2019s the very first thing any beginner gardener should learn how to do; decide what you would like to plant where, and take a piece of paper to mark off the various areas of your garden and how much sunlight they\u2019re getting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, mark the type of soil on this diagram, and note (at least roughly) which type of plants will go where. This can save you a lot of issues later on when you realize that you would have preferred this plant or bush in another spot \u2013 yes, transplantation is almost always possible, but just a little bit of planning could have saved plants the trauma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Companion plants that go well with blueberries include any type of plant or bush that prefers the same acidic soil conditions. Some other berry plants (like strawberries) grow happily close to blueberry plants, as can fragrant herbs like thyme. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Blueberry Issues<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Blueberries aren\u2019t as fussy as gardeners might imagine them to be, and this makes blueberry bushes a perfect choice for gardeners of any skill level. Still, this doesn\u2019t mean that blueberry plants are devoid of any issues, and you should keep a close eye on your plants to spot any changes in their condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice that the growth of your blueberry plants aren\u2019t what they should be, start off by testing the pH of the soil again and adjusting as we\u2019ve described above to see if this makes any change to the plant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common issues for blueberry plants is either slowed growth or yellowing leaves; both of these can point to issues with pH, and where not, it might mean that your blueberry isn\u2019t getting access to enough water. Other times, things like an iron deficiency in the soil can be the cause of yellowing leaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Supporting Growth<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Blueberry plants come in several different types, and gardeners should make sure they know what kind of blueberry bush they\u2019re going to end up with: Some types turn into bushier plants than others, and some prefer to stick closer to the ground. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A trellis support system isn\u2019t at all necessary if you want to grow blueberries, but sometimes it can help to support growth \u2013 and in some cases, it can fit with a certain theme that you\u2019re trying to get across in your garden. Simply, sometimes having a plant following a trellis just looks great. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, this doesn\u2019t mean blueberry plants don\u2019t need support at all. It can be a good idea to plant a section of wood next to a new blueberry plant and to tie the stem to this \u2013 especially in the early phases of growth for a newly transplanted blueberry, this can support growth and help it stand up against elements like the excess wind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Pruning Blueberries<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Blueberries should be pruned on a regular basis at least a few times per year if they have already grown past the point where they\u2019re in their fruiting stage \u2013 but for newer blueberries which are being grown for seeds or smaller transplants, blueberries should be left alone for at least the first few months to years of their growth. Sometimes this period can be for as much as three years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the beginning stages, only prune blueberries when you notice that some of the leaves or stalks are dying off in preparation for a new season \u2013 or when the blueberry bush is becoming particularly overgrown where it might take up more space than you initially intended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best time to prune your blueberry plants is during the earlier side of the spring months when the temperatures have changed. Blueberry plants don\u2019t enjoy cold, and pruning them before the cold can leave them vulnerable and do a lot more damage than good to your plants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Harvesting Blueberries<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Harvesting is one of the best parts of gardening, and it allows you to benefit from all the work that you\u2019ve put in over the past few months, but harvesting is also a lot more than just this: The harvesting phase allows you to take a closer look at your plants, and harvesting is when you see what can be done in order to promote the plant\u2019s growth further for years more to come. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For blueberries, harvest them when they are the right amount of firmness; when they go too soft or fall off of the plant by themselves, that\u2019s a sign that you\u2019ve left them for too long. On the other hand, picking them the moment they change to blue is too soon \u2013 give it a few days for the fruits to mature properly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve harvested, blueberries keep perfectly fine in the fridge, but ideally, they can be frozen immediately after harvesting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Storing Blueberries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After picking your blueberries, it’s best if you eat them as soon as possible. Fresh berries will remain crisp for one or two days at room temperature. Store your blueberries in a resealable, airtight container in the fridge for best results. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Storing your berries in the refrigerator helps to preserve them for a little longer, extending the shelf life to five to seven days. We recommend that you don’t rinse your blueberries until you are ready to eat them, as the additional water may cause them to start rotting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making preserves is a fantastic way to ensure you get to use all of your berries, we recommend waiting to use any spoiling blueberries in your jams or jellies, and keep them fresher ones for eating whole with other meals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Freezing blueberries helps you to preserve them for up to 10-months. Line a baking sheet with cookie paper and add a single layer of blueberries. Place the tray in the freezer for a few hours, and then transfer all of the frozen berries to a Ziploc bag, and store them in the freezer alongside your other berry selections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Blueberry Diseases<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Blueberries are susceptible to pests and diseases, and your task as a gardener is to identify these pathogens before they do extensive damage to your blueberry harvest and the rest of the plants in your garden. Here is a quick list of the top diseases affecting your blueberry plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Powdery mildew \u2013 This fungal infection shows up as a powdery white or off-white colored dust that settles on the top of the plant’s leaves. Powdery mildew prevents photosynthesis in the leaves, causing the foliage to die and fall from the plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anthracnose \u2013 This fungal disease loves to spread in damp and humid conditions. It’s for this reason that we recommend you avoid watering your plants from an overhead position. Getting the foliage wet helps to create the ideal conditions for anthracnose and powdery mildew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Botrytis \u2013 This fungal disease devastates the fruiting phase, causing the blueberries to shrivel on the tree and rot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Blueberry Pests<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While diseases present a problem for any aspiring blueberry grower, other pests invade your garden, causing havoc with your blueberry crop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most significant threat to your crop is not disease or bugs; it\u2019s birds. While we love to attract birds into our garden, we do our best to keep them away from our blueberry plants. Birds will return each morning to get their fill of your berries, and you need to cage off your bush using chicken wire to prevent them from ravaging all the fruit from your tree. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insects are also a concern for blueberry growers, and they are more challenging to identify than watching out for a bird to land on your tree. Blueberry tip borers are the biggest concern for growers, as these bugs lay eggs on branches, and the larvae burrow into the stems of the tree, causing delays in fruiting and dry berries. Other insects to look out for include cherry and cranberry fruit worm, as well as plum curculio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Blueberry Varieties<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It may surprise you to learn that there are numerous different varieties of blueberries available for planting. We recommend you go with an established tree, rather than attempting to grow from seed. While raising a tree from seed is a rewarding and satisfying experience, it may take several years for your tree to start yielding decent quantities of fruit. Here are our top choices for the best blueberry bushes for your garden. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Northern Highbush \u2013 This is the best blueberry variety for colder climates in the Northern States and Canada. This variety is self-pollinating, but growers can increase yields by simulating cross-pollination with other species. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early blue \u2013 This is the best option for growing in the Southern States. However, you will need other varieties to ensure cross-pollination. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rabbiteye \u2013 This pest-resistant type is excellent for newbie blueberry growers, and has an extension on the harvest season until the last few weeks of August. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tifblue \u2013 This variety is a self-pollinating cross, between the Rabbiteye and the Highbush, resulting in a newbie-friendly variety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Growing Blueberries in Containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While its best to plant blueberries in the ground, there is no reason why you can\u2019t plant the tree in a pot. Potted blueberry trees tend to be shorter in stature, and yield less fruit than a tree growing in the ground, but it still makes an excellent ornamental for your patio or terrace area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most critical point about growing blueberries in containers is selecting the pot itself. Blueberries have reasonably deep root systems to support the weight of the tree and its growth needs. Therefore, we recommend you start your blueberry tree off in a 10-gallon pot and then switch to a larger pot after the first three years of growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to note that blueberries come in self-pollinating species. If you intend on planting a single blueberry tree, you\u2019ll need one of these varieties, like the Northern Highbush. If you choose a type that requires pollination, and you don\u2019t have a companion tree, then your blueberry plant will not bear fruit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Watering Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When watering your blueberries, it\u2019s vital that you remember not to overdo it and overly saturate your plants. Blueberries hate \u201cwet feet,\u201d a condition that describes saturation of the roots, resulting in the formation of root disease and rot in your plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also recommend that you avoid watering the foliage of the plant, and only water around the base of the tree. This watering strategy ensures your plants won’t develop diseases like powdery mildew. Blueberries do need plenty of water to thrive, but we recommend that you leave a day between waterings to allow the tree to absorb the water in the ground and prevent root rot or other overwatering problems attributed to wet feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll also need to ensure that your flowerbed or pot has excellent drainage to prevent waterlogging. Don\u2019t assume that the rain is enough to water your plants, as the foliage may act as an umbrella, preventing light showers from reaching the soil around the base of the plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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15. Overwintering Your Blueberry Bushes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Blueberries are perennial, meaning that they have multiple growing seasons throughout the life of the plant. If you live in warmer regions of the United States, then you won\u2019t have to worry about any special preparation to help your trees survive the wintertime. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blueberries do well in cold winter conditions and can handle snowfall, without sustaining any damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you reside in colder regions of the U.S, such as the Northern States, then we recommend that you make some minor precautions if you live in areas that are prone to snowfall and frost. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wrap your tree in burlap for protection from the cold, and cover the roots in a layer of mulch and straw to preserve the moisture in the soil and prevent the roots from freezing. The burlap protects from any cold winds that may kill the blueberry plant. Start the watering cycle as soon as the ground starts to thaw in the early springtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n