Buy your blueberry bushes, and plant them in the ground, in raised beds, or containers in the spring through the fall, and a couple of years your plants will provide you will an abundance of berries to enjoy yourself, or share with family and friends.
There are many varieties of blueberry plants, but the main types are wild, lowbush, highbush, rabbiteye, and hybrids. Many varieties of blueberry plants have pretty, little umbel-shaped white flower clusters in the spring, and berries and lush green foliage in the summertime. The green foliage turns a beautiful crimson red in the fall. Plants over 4 years in age will produce large harvests if watered well, in a bright sunny location, and soil conditions are kept on the acidic side. The healthy delicious blueberries you pick fresh from your plants in July will provide an abundance of round berries for eating and for use in many recipes.
Blueberry plants can also be used as ornamental garden plants. If you hate the look of fences chopping up the landscape around your neighborhood, you might opt for a living blueberry fence, by planting the bushes closer together in long rows or ornamental clusters. An excellent choice is the highbush blueberry plants, as they have an upright habit and grow to a height of 6 feet and about fifty six feet wide, which makes them easy to maintain, prune and crop. When ordering online please check your planting zones which will tell you which varieties grow the best in your garden climate zone.
Blueberry plants are easy to grow, but do require that they be planted in acidic soil with a pH of 4.5-5.0 use a soil meter for this purpose. They also require well-draining, loamy soil, with acidic mulch compost,(pine park, oak leaves, fir sawdust), special fertilizer for acidic soil conditions, and a bright spot with at least a half day of full sun. You can grow plants in shady areas, but the berries will be smaller, and berry harvest will also be affected. Blueberry plants grow best with shallow rooting, so dig your holes 2 feet by 2 feet and cover only to the depth of where your plant was in the container, and at least 5 feet apart. Once your plants are established keep the weeds pulled soil moist, and try and keep the birds away from your prize blueberry plants.
Blueberry plants once established are extremely productive; when you notice the new blooms and flowers you should plan for most if not all the flowers turning into berries as long as there they are adequately pollinated. Pollination is also conducted by a number of other insects, so it is important to NEVER use insecticides during bloom. Many varieties are self-pollinating, so if space is limited you can plant only 1 bush and still have fruit. Early varieties begin bearing in June, but with a little planning, you can choose different varieties that stagger the harvesting times, and you may have fresh blueberries all summer.
Some pruning is required you can read more on this post on how to prune your blueberry bushes.
Studies are showing more health benefits of blueberries and blueberry juice too.
How do you fertilize a blueberry bush?
Finding blueberry plants for sale.
Growing blueberry plants in different soil conditions.
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