Blueberries love acidic soil – shoot for pH 4.0 to 5.5. This is arguably the most important item on this list for your plants to thrive. Use soil sulfur to lower pH.
Sandy loam soils are ideal for your roots to not have wet feet. A well draining soil prevents root rot.
Obtain the best blueberry cultivars for your area. Check your hardiness zone and compare it to the cultivar that is hardy where you live.
Full sun is best, plant away from trees and shade. Proper air flow keeps your plants healthy and free of disease.
Blueberry bushes love to be pruned. Prune off dead and twiggy wood. Remove any cross branching- aim to keep the middles clear to improve air flow. Try to limit canes to no older than 6-8 years. Remember blueberry fruiting comes from prior years growth and older canes don’t produce like younger canes.
Plants prefer high organic soils- adding peat moss will keep your blueberry bushes happy for years to come.
Mulching will keep weeds down, keep roots moist, protect plants during the winter and add organic matter over time. I like to use aged pine sawdust, pine bark, pine needles, and softwood chips.
During growing season, make sure your plants get about 1 inch of water per week. It’s best to water roots with drip line and keep the leaves dry.
Plant during the spring to take full advantage of spring rains or during the fall to give roots time to establish.
Feed your plants with fertilizer. I recommend Holly-Tone, a time released fertilizer like Osmocote, or a nitrogen source like blood meal or ammonium sulfate.