Ever wish you could have
fresh-picked berries whenever you want? Well, by this time next year, you could
have a full grown blueberry bush! Blueberry seedlings are best planted in
spring, and can begin to develop fruit by June which is usually ready for the
picking around late July or August. If all of this blueberry talk has got you
inspired to get some use out of your green (or blue!) thumb, read on for some
helpful tips!
How to plant a blueberry
seedling:
- Decide on the variety of blueberry plant you want to
grow – highbush blueberries are the most common – these are the big, round
berries that are great for fresh eating. There are also lowbush blueberry
bushes which produce smaller berries that are better for baked goods or
pancakes, and even jackrabbit blueberry bushes that thrive in
hotter-than-average climates.
After you’ve decided on
what plant you’d like, you then need to decide where to plant
it!
- Find a spot to plant your blueberry plant in FULL SUN!
This is important, as the blueberry bush needs a lot of sunlight to grow!
- Make sure the soil you are going to plant in is
suitable for the blueberry plant:
- The soil needs to drain well (you can make a raised
garden bed if you can’t find a well-draining spot in your
yard)
- You should also check the pH of the soil, around 4.5
is ideal
After finding the perfect spot, it’s
time to plant!
- Pat the blueberry plant with the heel of your wrist to gently loosen the roots
- Dig a small hole, place your plant, and then fill the hole back in
- Add about 2-4 inches of mulch around the plant. This will keep the soil nutrient rich, which will help keep the plant healthy
To care for your blueberry bush
after planting, be sure to remember a few tips: Water your plant with 1-2
inches of water per week, or slightly more frequently if the weather is
exceptionally hot or dry. In the winter, prune the branches of your plant to
keep it healthy and to ensure that the fruit for next season will be full and
juicy!
Good luck, and happy gardening!
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