Growing Tips

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GROWING TIPS:

Blueberry plants are two-fers. They are both decorative and fruit producers. Blueberry bushes have great ornamental accent uses and make excellent hedge plantings. Abundant delicate flowers in the spring, bountiful healthy blue fruit in the summer, and beautiful red accent leaves in the fall are all characteristics of blueberry plants. Once established, it is common for plantings to provide large crops of delicious fruit for 80 years.

Whether your planting your own home garden, or starting your own blueberry farm, we have the right plants for you. Our plants have been chosen to thrive in our northern climate, zones 5-7. Blueberry Plants grow best in full sun, and can be planted any time from after the last spring frost up till 2-3 weeks before the first autumn frost. In planting your blueberry bushes, you should choose a well-drained and acidic soil, for maximum fruit production Since Blueberry plants have a shallow root system, you will only need to prepare the top 8-12" of soil. Typically plants are spaced about four foot apart, but they can be used separately as part of any landscaping project. For higher fruit yields, allow your plants to cross pollinate by planting several varieties. 

Soil
Want    sandy and well drained soils. mound soil & add Canadian peat.
Avoid   clay and poorly drained soils. 

pH
Want    4.3 to 4.8 is optimum, good up to 5.2
Avoid   higher than pH 5.3 (sweet soils)
To correct soil to acceptable pH levels- remove 1/2 the soil in an area 2ft square & 15" deep. Refill with sphagnum peat moss. Mix thoroughly and plant. Sprinkle 3 oz of ammonia sulfate fertilizer.

Water
Want    regular applications of 2 or 3 times per week. Approximately 1" per week during growing season.
Avoid   soil that allows water to sit (poor drainage) plant will turn yellow and die.

Mulch
Want    organic material 2"-3" thick - sawdust, hay, woodchips, peat moss, pine needles, spent hops are excellent.
Avoid   mulch with high pH, or one that contains weed seed

Fertilizer
Want    1/4 lb total  per year per plant of 10-10-10 in 3 equal applications. April 1, May 1, June 1 for plants in the field 5 years or less. 1/2 lb total per year  as above for plants in field for more than 5 years. Fertilizers  formulated for Holly or Rhododendron are great.
Avoid   not fertilizing (you must fertilize)

Planting
Want    correct soil type and pH. Remove pot & place top of root ball 1" below soil surface. Tamp bush firmly (no voids in root zone). Plant 4-5 feet apart.
Avoid   part of root ball sticking out of ground. Plant will dry out fast.

Pruning
Want    at planting remove up to 1/4 of top of bush, and all spindly growth on the trunk. Annually, when the plant is in the dormant season (march), remove the inner branches to open the center of the bush. Remove all old canes 6-8 years old. Remove all low branches for access. Remove any weak branches.
Avoid   removing single spikes that are new growth.

 A growing guideline sheet is provided with each plant purchase to help ensure your success!

Our nursery propagates our own blueberry plants every year. With thousands of square feet of greenhouses available we are able to provide fresh bare root plants or one and three gallon potted plants raised onsite in a dedicated Blueberry Nursery. We carry many varieties, all suited for northern climates.

 

More Helpful Growing information is available at:

Plant hardiness zones - http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/hzm-ne1.html

The Ohio State University Extension - http://ohioline.osu.edu/

The US Highbush Blueberry Coucil - http://www.blueberry.org/