How To Grow Blueberries

The nutritional value of blueberry makes it one of the most relished fruits. It is rich in antioxidants and has good quantity of vitamins. The bushes of this tasty fruit can be easily grown in your home garden. Little care and maintenance will ensure a good harvest of the fruit, which can be canned and frozen for consumption during off-season as well. If you are looking for some tips for growing blueberries, this article is just for you. Go through the following lines and learn how to grow blueberries at home.

Growing Blueberries

Before growing blueberries, you need to consult a professional and seek his guidance on the variety of blueberry best suited for the climatic conditions and soil of your place.
Choose a location that is favorable for the proper growth of blueberry bushes. Although the bushes thrive well in partial shade, a sunny place is best suited for them.
For growing blueberries, the nature of the soil should be acidic, with pH value ranging from 5 to 6. It should be loose and sandy and have the ability to retain moisture for a long time. In addition, it should be rich in humus, with good aeration.
Soil, required for blueberries, is workable in the fall or spring. This is the time best for planting blueberry bushes at your place.
Blueberries should be planted with adequate space between two bushes. They should be placed at least 5 feet apart from each other.
Dig the soil 1 inch deep, to plant the blueberries. Ensure that the soil is packed firmly around the roots of the plant.
To ensure a good supply of blueberries throughout the season, you need to plant at least six bushes. By doing this, you will have enough blueberries for eating, drying and preserving as well.
The time best for fertilization of blueberries is late winter and early spring. Make use of a homemade compost, to fertilize the plant, about a month prior to its growth.
The process of covering the soil, in which blueberry bushes have been planted, with compost, well-rotted manure and peat can be done during early summer.
Birds would love to feast on blueberries. To protect them from birds, you will need to shield the fruits with a net.
Pruning can be done after the first three years of the growth of the blueberries. Winter season is best suited for the process.

How to Cite

Related Articles

See also

More in 'Home & Living'