How to Grow Blueberries

Location and planting of bluebeery plants

Cultivated blueberries place some demands on the soil. In order for them to thrive, the soil must be free of lime and permeable. The pH value should be 3.5-4.5. If the soil is not acidic enough, it should be completely replaced. Cultivated blueberries are preferred over domestic blueberries in the garden. To avoid the problem with acidic soil, blueberries can also be cultivated in pots. Of course, this must offer enough space. Large clay pots, large plastic containers or wooden barrels are suitable. To ensure that moisture does not build up, the containers must have enough drainage holes. The containers are then buried in the ground in a sunny, wind-protected location in the garden (leaving a few centimeters below the edge) and filled with acidic soil.

Container plants can be planted all year round. When it comes to cultivated blueberries, it is worthwhile (even if it is a little more expensive) to choose container plants that have several side shoots and are already three to four years old. These are more robust and it doesn't take too long to achieve full yield. The planting distance is approx. 1.50 meters. Although blueberries are self-fertile, it is safer to plant multiple varieties for high yields. Mulching is recommended after planting. This keeps the soil acidic and prevents surface drying out.

Care and fertilization

Cultivated blueberry bushes rarely need rejuvenation pruning. It is sufficient to do this every four to five years. The old shoots, which only have a few flowers, are cut off just above the ground. New and younger shoots remain unpruned. When watering blueberry plants, it is important to make sure the water is low in lime. Watering with collected rainwater has proven successful. The cultivated blueberry needs sufficient water, especially a few weeks before and during the harvest. However, excessive moisture should be avoided.

Cultivated blueberries react quite positively to a humus supply. The administration of sulfuric ammonia has also proven effective. This stimulates the formation of new shoots. It makes sense to divide the gifts, one in April and the other at the end of May.

Harvesting and propagation

The longer the blueberries stay on the shrub, the sweeter they become. Depending on the variety, the harvest time is from mid-July to the end of August. The berries ripen gradually, so only the ripest fruits are picked. As a rule, cultivated blueberry bushes only reach their highest yield after about six years. If the plant is healthy, it can ideally produce delicious berries for up to 30 years. Blueberry plants can be propagated both from seeds and from cuttings. The latter method is particularly common. Cuttings are taken from healthy mother plants and placed in a growing medium. Depending on the variety, rooting takes between eight to 15 weeks.