Planting and Growing Delicious Blueberries - Greenwood Nursery Guide
Enjoy homegrown blueberries for years to come! This guide from Greenwood Nursery, your trusted online nursery, provides expert advice for establishing and maintaining healthy, fruit-producing blueberry bushes.
Preparation:
For optimal growth and fruiting of your blueberry bushes from our online plants nursery, choose a sunny location with well-drained soil and a pH between 4.5 and 5.0. Test your soil and amend as needed. To lower pH, incorporate sulphur, aged compost, coffee grounds, wet peat, pine bark, or pine needles. Consistent watering is crucial during the growing season, especially during flowering and fruiting. While many blueberry varieties are self-pollinating, planting at least two varieties that bloom simultaneously will significantly increase your crop yield through cross-pollination.
Planting:
Space your blueberry plants about 4 feet apart in rows that are 6 to 10 feet apart, depending on your available space. Dig planting holes approximately 10 inches deep and 12 to 18 inches wide. Position the plant with the root collar slightly above ground level and fill the hole with soil, watering thoroughly to eliminate air pockets. If the soil level drops after watering, add more soil. Finish by applying a 3-inch layer of mulch around the base of the plant, leaving a small well near the trunk. After planting, prune about 1/3 of the top growth. For the next three years, remove small, weak lateral shoots and thin out overly dense growth. After the third year, begin annual pruning of the oldest wood.
Care:
Once your blueberry bushes are established, maintenance primarily involves removing any dead, broken, or diseased branches and shaping the bush as needed. In the spring, during the blooming period, thin out some blossoms to prevent branches from becoming overloaded and breaking under the weight of the developing fruit. Fertilize based on soil test results. If a soil test isn't available, apply about 2 tablespoons of a granular timed-release fertilizer per plant in the spring, and repeat in 3 to 4 weeks if needed.
Harvesting and Storing Blueberries:
Blueberries are ready to pick when they are fully sized and a deep blue color. For best storage, remove the stems, gently wipe the berries clean if necessary, and store them in zip-lock freezer bags without washing. Freezing without washing prevents mushiness upon thawing. When baking, add frozen berries directly to your batter.
Explore the diverse selection of blueberry bushes at Greenwood Nursery, your reliable online nursery for quality fruit-bearing plants!
