Planting a Blueberry Bush
Blueberries are a tasty fruit with lots of healthy antioxidants, and planting a blueberry bush can be a great addition to your garden. They are a perennial and easy to grow in the garden with some basic preparation. Blueberries do well in clay or in poor, rocky soil. The most important thing to know about growing blueberries is that they like acidic soil so you will most likely need to amend the soil. The acid will leach out of the soil over time and can harm nearby plants. For this reason, you might consider planting your blueberries in containers or sinking plants in containers into the ground to slow the leaching.
Plant blueberries in late April or early May. Choose a location that gets full sun. Some cultivars can tolerate partial shade but will likely produce less fruit. Blueberry bushes can live for 50 years or more, so make sure you provide optimal growing conditions before planting. Check the pH of the soil to insure a pH in the range of 4 to 5. If it is higher, you can amend the soil by mixing acid peat into the top five or six inches of soil. Other options are iron sulfate or elemental sulfur. Iron sulfate takes a month to change the acidity of soil; elemental sulfur takes a full year. Plan accordingly. Soil should be well-aerated and have the ability to hold water.
Space blueberry plants three to four feet apart and dig a hole deep enough to cover the roots and allow for three to four inches of soil on top. Pack soil firmly around the roots and mulch with two to four inches of straw or peat moss to retain moisture and enhance soil structure. Replace mulch as necessary. Water well and keep the plants moist but not wet. A soaker hose or a drip irrigation system is helpful.
These planting tips will help your blueberry bush thrive and will help you enjoy a delicious fruit grown in your own garden.
