Growing Blueberries

• Blueberries are a somewhat unique plant that you can grow. The blueberry bush is an attractive ornamental plant also. The foliage is shiny green in summer and turns a deep red and yellow in fall. To successfully grow blueberries you need to provide conditions that allow it to thrive.

• Blueberries are a calcium hating plant. It needs acidic soil. A pH of 4.5 to 4.8 is ideal for blueberries. Start by testing your soil to determine your soil pH level about a year before you plan to plant. The soil pH must be lowered before you plant. The soil test recommendations will tell you what to apply to the soil to amend the pH.

• Blueberry varieties that have performed well in our area are Patriot, Duke, Blueray, Bluecrop, Aurora, and Chandler. Planting more than one variety will increase berry size somewhat, but is not required.

• Planting should be done in the early spring. They are most productive when they are in full sun, but will tolerate some shading. Plants should be spaced five to six feet apart in a row. Work a good amount of organic material into the soil during planting. When planting, it is a good idea to dig the hole, then, when covering the roots, mix the soil half and half with peat moss. Peat is acidic and is a good source of organic matter. 

• Be sure to mulch the plants with some aged sawdust or wood chips. Avoid using mulch containing walnut or butternut. Apply about 3 inches around the plant so that you have covered about a 4’ circle. The mulch will need to be replenished every couple of years. The reason mulch is so important is that blueberries are very sensitive to dry weather. Be prepared to water them when it gets dry, especially the first two years.

Source: psu.edu