Crops

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Blueberries

Published:

December 13, 2024

Key Takeaways

There are four most common varieties of blueberries, and planting multiple types together can extend the harvest season.
Blueberries thrive in well-drained soil; the ideal pH is around 4.5, and the plants need 6-8 hours of sunlight daily.
Blueberries require constant moisture and may need acidic fertilizers but are sensitive to over-fertilizing.

Blueberry Basics

Botanical Name:	Vaccinium sect. Cyanococcus
Plant Type:	Perennial flowering plant
Sun Exposure:	6-8 hours of sunlight per day
Soil pH:	Between 4.2 and 5.5, ideally 4.5
Soil Type:	Well-drained loose sandy loam soil
Watering Needs:	Constant moisture; water 2-3 times per week in fields or once per day in containers
Bloom Time:	7-9 weeks, or sometimes faster
Hardiness Zone:	Depending on the variety, anywhere from Zone 2 to Zone 9
Lifespan:	At least 30-50 years if properly cared for
Season:	Depending on region, April–October

Is it time to start growing blueberries?

Despite only being cultivated commercially starting in the 20th century, blueberries have quickly become a worldwide favorite. These succulent berries aren't merely delicious — they are also considered a superfood, full of antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, polyphenols, and other nutrients.

Because of this, blueberries can be a great crop for farmers to include in their fields, capable of fetching high prices at market. At the same time, blueberry plants are also easy to grow at home, providing a delicious snack while also beautifying your garden.

So in this growing guide, we'll be looking at everything you need to know about blueberries: the basics, when to plant, and how to care for them before and after harvest.

Planting Blueberries

Selecting a Variety

There are four main varieties of blueberry typically cultivated, with slightly different yields, seasons, and growing conditions. One thing to keep in mind is that blueberries partially self-fertilize, and it's beneficial to plant multiple varieties in close proximity. You'll get more, larger berries, and your harvest season will be extended.

Highbush: Highbush blueberries are probably the most popular/common type and can grow over 6 feet tall. The northern variety grows in Zones 6-10, while the southern highbush grows in Zones 4-7. Southern highbush blueberry plants are typically smaller than northern varieties and have smaller yields.
Lowbush: Lowbush blueberries are more often found wild in cold, northern climates in North America, Zones 2-6. They are considered more difficult to raise than other varieties and must be cross-pollinated to produce fruit.
Half-Height Hybrids: This hybrid of highbush and lowbush blueberry bushes only grows 2-4 feet high and produces smaller fruit which tends to be mild in flavor and sometimes quite tart.
Rabbiteye: These blueberries grow in warmer, drier southeastern parts of the US, Zones 6-9. They thrive in hot summers, growing up to 10 feet high and potentially producing 15 pounds of fruit per year. Like lowbush blueberries, they must cross-pollinate with other rabbiteye varieties to produce fruit.

Site Selection and Spacing

Regardless of which variety you choose, there are some common elements to consider when selecting a site with optimal blueberry growing conditions.

Sunlight: Blueberries thrive in sunlight, basically the more the better. They can tolerate shade, but yield increases along with sunlight.
Wind: Blueberries can be harmed by high, hot winds, so look for windbreaks to protect them. However, don't plant them too close to trees, which will block sunlight and suck water out of the soil.
Acidity: Do you have a field that has been scorched by too much synthetic fertilizer? It might be perfect for blueberries, who want acidic soil in the area of pH 4.5. They can tolerate up to pH 5.5, but low acidity can kill them, and yield decreases as the pH rises.
Water: Blueberries have shallow roots, so the soil should hold moisture without staying soaked. Stick to sandy soil, avoid clay.
Spacing: Close, but not too close. They benefit from cross-pollinating, so planting in clusters works — but give each plant around 5 feet of space so it has room to grow.

The Planting Process

Regardless of which variety you choose, there are some common elements to consider when selecting a site with optimal blueberry growing conditions.

Late fall or early spring are typically the best times to plant blueberries. The lower the zone you're in, the later they should be planted. In temperate regions, they could potentially be planted almost year-round.

Avoid planting from seed if possible. 1-3-year-old plants are best and can be planted or transplanted easily as long as the roots aren't damaged.

To grow blueberries with the best results:

Have a planting area approximately 2 feet wide and 1 foot deep for each plant.
Remove around 1/2 of the soil.
Add pre-moistened peat moss to replace the removed soil. Raised beds may also need other organic matter such as tree bark or compost.
Periodic mulching helps, with 2-4 inches of mulch around the roots. Acidic compost, sawdust, and even grass clippings can work well.

Blueberry Bush Growing Tips

As mentioned above, blueberries need a lot of water. Keep monitoring your soil moisture levels, and try to keep it moist at all times. Frequent watering will likely be needed unless you're in an area that receives high rainfall. And again, keep blueberries away from trees or any other larger plants that could drain water from the soil.

Fertilizer should be acidic — this is a case where acidifying the soil can be beneficial. Fertilizer is best added around one month after planting. However, blueberries are sensitive to over-fertilizing, so don't overdo it. In particular, too much nitrogen will quickly reduce berry sizes and yields, even if it helps the blueberry bush grow taller.

Also, if you're looking for organic fertilizer, avoid manure which can harm the plants.

Young blueberry plants typically do not need much pruning for the first 4-5 years. Afterward, pruning should be aggressive and annual. Prune blooms as they appear, but also be willing to prune away low growth and any short or discolored branches. Some advocate pruning up to 1/3 to 1/2 of the overall wood each year.

Blueberries can be vulnerable to a variety of diseases — including molds and root rot — as well as pests, such as aphids, spider flies, and mites. These should simply be treated as necessary, although go easy on the pesticide.

The biggest threat to blueberries, however, is birds. Use whatever noninvasive measures you can to deter birds, including netting or scarecrows. Keeping predatory birds around, like owls, can also help deter smaller scavengers who want to snack on your berries.

Harvesting and Storage

Once they're around 5-6 years old, blueberry bushes can produce fruit quickly in favorable conditions, possibly in as little as two months after planting.

Better yet, they're easy to harvest. Once the berries turn blue, they can be harvested and eaten — however, fresh blueberries will be more tart. You can wait up to a week past the point they're blue, and they'll become sweeter over time.

If the berries are properly ripened, they'll practically fall off the stem. Be sure to keep a basket under the bush being harvested, as they may fall off from merely being jostled. It's best to harvest them early in the morning when they are the most plump and juicy.

Picked berries should be moved to cold storage ASAP to preserve them, and don't let them warm up. Blueberries also freeze extremely well, losing very little of their flavor or texture after thawing. This makes them excellent for long-distance shipment.

When you have questions, we'll help you find the answers you need to take control of your fields and the harvest you care about. Contact Cropler to discover more about our products and the ways we help you proactively protect your operations from the effects of crop diseases. Learn More

Grow Better Blueberries With Cropler!

As mentioned throughout this article, blueberries need a lot of water and proper soil conditions, as well as protection from pests and birds. Cropler makes it easier than ever to oversee your blueberry bushes. Our cutting-edge monitoring system combines robust weatherproofed agri-cameras and a smart AI-powered online dashboard that collects data from the cameras 24/7. Plus, very soon you'll be able to directly monitor soil moisture as well.

With Cropler, you can monitor your crops from anywhere, at any time — and analyze the data collected to make your next harvest even better.

Contact Cropler to learn more about our system!