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Blueberries

Blueberries are one of the easiest fruits to grow

 

 

Culture

Blueberries prefer an acid soil, and need heavy dirt to be lightened up with lots of organic matter so that it drains well. Mulching with Fir sawdust or bark dust also eliminates most of the need for cultivation and conserves moisture, as well as providing the acidic soil they love. Blueberries' shallow, compact root system makes regular watering essential.

Planting instructions

Blueberries get to be six feet tall or more with a spread of four feet or more. Therefore, the rows should be at least eight feet apart with plants spaced no closer than six feet apart, unless a hedge is desired. The top of the root clump should be close to the surface if a mulch is used (highly recommended) or about four inches deep without mulch.

Fertility

Apply cottonseed meal fertilizer once a year. It should be applied in early Spring, on the surface of the mulch in a broad ring around the plant, regardless of plant size. The yearly addition of phosphorus or potassium or both are important for fruit production.

Blueberry plants cannot translocate (move within the plant) water, or most nutrients, laterally. Therefore, if only half the root system gets water or fertilizer, only half of the top portion benefits. It is important for drip irrigated fields to have a uniform water supply. Blueberries have most of their effective root systems in the upper 18 inches of soil, which is why cultivation of blueberries isn't a good plan but deep mulching is.

Fruit production

Two different varieties must be planted to insure cross-pollination and fruit set. The early varieties begin ripening in June and the late varieties in early August. When planting two or three year old plants, remove the blossoms for a year or two to promote vegetative growth. Blueberries tend to over-bear rather than under-bear. Thinning blossoms will promote larger fruit and a healthier bush. A large plant may produce 15 to 20 pounds of fruit!

Propagation / Rooting

There are a few methods for rooting blueberry bushes, or almost any type of bush or plant. One easy method is called ‘layering.’ Take branches that are close to the ground, strip off leaves off of a section that will lay on the ground while the main stem is still attached to the mother plant. Scrape the stem to wound it a little bit and then dig a shallow hole, place the stem over the hole and cover with loose soil. Place a rock on top to hold everything down. In a few weeks you can dig up the rooted plant and cut it from the mother plant.

Another method is to take 6-8 inch cuttings of soft/green wood. Strip off all of the leaves but the last two or three. Dip the cut end in Rootone or some other rooting hormone, or willow water, and then stick these cuttings into wet, warm sand. Keep warm and mist twice a day. The cuttings should produce roots in 8 weeks or so. You can check by probing gently with a pencil. (There is an excellent design for a "misting bed" for rooting cuttings on the Richland Nursery web site. Scroll down and click the "Propagation Setup With Raised Platform" link.)

A third method for propagating plants is ‘air layering.’ Remove the leaves from a small section about 12” from the end of a branch. Scrape a bit of the stem where you removed the leaves to wound it a little bit. Wrap the scraped area in wet moss and tape with duct tape to keep it moist. In several weeks you will have roots growing into the moss. Cut the branch from the mother plant, carefully remove the tape, and plant it in its new home.

Pruning

After the plant is established, you may remove old wood. Some pruning can be done to prevent the plant from becoming too sprawling or too high. Blueberries become sweeter the longer they remain on the bush. The only reason to pick early (as they turn color), is to prevent the birds from eating them first. We protect our plants from birds with netting.

Storage Tips

Blueberries will keep in a refrigerator for a week to 10 days. But they store best if they are not washed until they are ready to eat.

Blueberries can be frozen by placing them on a cookie sheet and freezing them individually, then pouring them into a plastic freezer bag. Washing blueberries before they are frozen makes their skin tough, so it is best to freeze them straight from the garden, then wash before using.


Blueberry Links



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