Blueberries - Revive & Increase Production

2/12/2023

Blueberries in an Edible Landscape!

What a fun addition these are to any garden or yard! Easy to grow and a handy snack!!

You'll have great success with Blueberries if you follow these simple rules:

At least two different varieties will result in the largest harvest
Plant within 10 feet of each other - so the Bees can find both plants
Wet feet, full Sun = the best growing conditions, where the ground will be perfectly acidic!
Prune EVERY year.

Fertilizing Also Helps.
Spring Care:

Prune then Mulch. Put fertilizer down first, then mulch on top. Wood chip mulch is okay for blueberries.
Always use an Organic fertilizer on fruit trees and shrubs; it also **improves flavor** BONUS! Fertilize around March & June to wake the plants up and get them to start building wood for next year's production.
Use 2-3 inches of acidic food for blueberries, according to the directions. Then, mulch around the perimeter of the bush to help insulate the outer root system and to conserve water.
Water deeply to help the fertilizer seep into the root system. FYI Organic granular fertilizers are not as water soluble so they are effective much longer into the season.
Make sure to irrigate in the summer for at least the first few years. FYI a stressed plant will sacrifice fruit production in order to survive.

BEFORE

AFTER

Pruning Tips:

Disinfect your tools after pruning each plant - I cannot stress this enough!!
Prune the oldest wood at the ground to open up the center. This allows for new growth from the root.
Preserve a balance of nice long healthy shoots from last year. As the canes get 3-5 years old, they produce less.
Airflow is the most important in order to prevent disease.
On the upper part of the bush, prune out the smaller thin branches and small shoots, leaving the strongest branches.

You can grow Blueberries in a pot!

Smaller varieties grow excellent in a pot!! A proven winner is Jellybean dwarf with an approximate size of 2x2 feet (18x18x2ft pot).
Make sure to use the right soil for potted blueberries. Use **acidic potting soil** (rhody-azalea-camelia) potting mix.