In most areas, it’s ideal to plant blueberries in
the fall or spring
. You can plant blueberry bushes as close as 2 or 2.5 feet apart to form solid hedgerows, or space them up to 6 feet apart so they grow individually. If you plant in rows, allow 8 to 10 feet between the rows.
Where is the best place to plant blueberry bushes?
Select a
sunny, sheltered spot
. While blueberries are tolerant of shade, better crops are obtained in the sun. At the same time, they should not be exposed to harsh, drying winds. Don’t plant blueberries too close to trees, as the trees will not only block out sunlight, but will also suck up any moisture in the soil.
What month is best to plant blueberries?
December and January
are also ideal months to place new blueberry plants in the ground because of winter dormancy, notes the University of California. In colder areas, gardeners may have to wait until early spring when the ground has thawed before planting and until the following year to see for fruit yields.
When should I plant blueberry bushes?
You can plant at any time of year but
autumn is best
or, if winters are exceptionally cold where you garden, wait until spring. The soil that blueberries grow in is really important. They’re heathland plants, so there’s little point planting them in anything other than acidic soil.
Are blueberries easy to grow?
Blueberry bushes are
easy to grow, disease resistant
, and can live for 30 to 40 years. There are three main types of plant: lowbush, highbush and rabbiteye. Be sure to select a variety that is rated for your growing climate. When purchasing blueberries, select at least two varieties for cross-pollination.
What can you not plant near blueberries?
This being said, plants that are heavy feeders and require more nutrients from heavy applications of
compost
or even organic fertilizers are not good companion plants for blueberries as you could harm your bushes by catering to the needs of the companion plants.
Do you need 2 blueberry bushes to produce fruit?
Answer:Blueberry plants are self-fertile (each flower has the necessary male and female parts), however you still should buy more than one variety. That’s because
a blueberry plant produces more berries and bigger
berries when it cross pollinates with a different blueberry variety.
Do blueberries need full sun?
Blueberries grow best in full sun
. Plants will tolerate partial shade, but too much shade causes plants to produce fewer blossoms and less fruit.
How many blueberry plants do I need?
You’ll get the best blueberry crop if you plant
at least three bushes with similar bloom times
. They can mix and match their pollen that way. There’s no master guide for choosing varieties for blueberry pollination.
How do you make big juicy blueberries?
- Use fertilizer high in nitrogen, but don’t use nitrate forms of fertilizer as these can do damage to, or kill, blueberry plants.
- Fertilize with either ammonium sulfate, urea, diammonium phosphate or slow release type nitrogen fertilizers.
Are coffee grounds good for blueberry bushes?
Coffee grounds are
highly acidic
, they note, so they should be reserved for acid-loving plants like azaleas and blueberries. And if your soil is already high in nitrogen, the extra boost from coffee grounds could stunt the growth of fruits and flowers.
How do I prepare my soil for blueberries?
Blueberries do best with
2-4 inches of mulch
over the roots to conserve moisture, prevent weeds and add organic matter. Bark O Mulch, acid compost, sawdust and grass clippings all work well. Repeat every other year. Do not use bark or sawdust from cedar or redwood trees.
Do blueberry bushes spread?
Blueberry plants
will gradually spread from their growing location through
a process called suckering. New, fast-growing shoots grow out of the soil from the main root cluster a few inches from the main clump. Over time, the size of the blueberry bush grows gradually as new suckers form.
How long does it take for a blueberry bush to bear fruit?
It can take
three to four years
before they will produce fruit. Blueberries also produce better if they are cross-pollinated. This means that growing blueberry bushes of different varieties will help with their production. Before growing blueberry plants, you need to choose a type of blueberry to grow.
What should I plant next to blueberries?
Plant blueberries
near flowers like lilacs and azaleas
. Lilacs attract pollinators and provide shade with its fragrant blossoms. Towering, lush rhododendrons and azaleas offer shade and attractive blossoms during particularly hot summers, and thrive best in the same hot, acidic environment as blueberries.
What is the easiest blueberry to grow?
Jersey Blueberry
– One of the classics in the blueberry world. This reliable plant is super easy to grow and produces pounds and pounds of blueberries.
