Blueberries

Planting

If you like blueberries, plan on 2 blueberry plants per family member. If you want to enjoy frozen blueberries year-round plant about 4 blueberry plants per family member.

Plant Blueberries in well-drained soil with lots of organic materials. Space plants about 6 feet apart and allow 8 feet between rows. Plant with the top of the root mass just at the soil surface. Mulch with 3 to 4 inches of compost or bark mulch.

Feeding

Blueberries are fertilized when their leaf buds start to open, generally in spring. Blueberries need an acidic fertilizer that is balanced, a Rhododendron-type fertilizer will work perfectly. It is common practice in large-scale blueberry farms to use mulches like sawdust which are low grade and deplete the soil’s nitrogen. If you’re going use sawdust or bark mulch it is important to add a bit more nitrogen.

Pruning

Young blueberries should be lightly pruned to encourage a bushy upright spreading shape. As they age, thin long top and interior stems, tip thin branches to encourage a dense rounded shape. Older blueberries need to have old production branches removed to allow newer, more vigorous growth to come through.

Disease and Pest Control

Blueberries can have problems with leaf spot and stem canker. Scheduled sprays can help to reduce these diseases. The fruit is subject to botrytis and mummy berry, both of which can be controlled with a fungicide. Birds can become a problem eating berries, netting plants can reduce their consumption.

See a Spray Schedule to best target your efforts.

See a list of Blueberry Varieties.

Download a complete information sheet on blueberries, including blueberry varieties.