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Raise Your Garden

Musings on the Seedier Side

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July 8, 2019 in Easy Garden DIY&middot Edible Garden&middot Garden How To&middot Garden Tips&middot Garden trends

How to grow the biggest & the best blueberries!

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of my links, I'll make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
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Blueberries are beautiful. Tasty. Nutritious. But so expensive! 

 

Even at our local U-Pick field, they are $3.00 a pound. That’s considered a great deal!

​Then there’s the work of picking in the hot sun. And potentially having to use a porta potty. Yikes.

Blueberries bought at the store for $4.50 a pint will suffice at times. But their mushiness can make them inedible other than in oatmeal.

Time to grow our own! 

Perhaps that’s why I’m a great source for blueberry growing~ I’ve never done it before and managed to grow an astounding amount of blueberries from a crop planted in the fall. 

But not before doing my research. Hours of fun and thrilling blueberry reading!

Are you ready to grow the plumpest and juiciest blueberries?

​Here’s my best tips and tricks to get those blueberries growing and glowing! 

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Why pH is paramount!

Blueberries thrive in acidic soil, preferring a soil pH between 4-5. You need to be a pH control freak!

 

​So if you are a pH perfectionist~ aim for a pH between 4-4.5, other than that, under 5 is still considered good!  

You can’t ignore the pH problem and hope it goes away. In fact, if you’re not going to test the pH of your soil, I wouldn’t even bother planting blueberries at all. 

Why go through the hassle and expense of purchasing plants, watering, fertilizing and fretting for little or no result?

But zero yield is what you’ll get if that pH isn’t spot-on.  Soil can always be amended with additives like granulated sulfur, peat moss, pine bark or pine needles to make it more acidic.

Don’t get me wrong. At a pH of 5, I was happy.

Tom was not. So he ended up ordering Espoma Soil Acidifier to lower the pH just a tad more to be in that 4-4.5 zone. Men!

Test your soil by sending it to the local unit of the Cornell Cooperative Extension or a similar service in your area. Currently, they charge roughly $2 per sample.

Also this time of year, the garden/wellness/health section of your local paper posts  events/places that will test your soil for free or a very small fee. Worth it!

​I bought a soil testing meter and it’s been an invaluable resource to me in nailing the pH for the blueberries.

​Not to mention my hydrangeas are happier, too! 

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Blueberry plant site selection is critical!

Your first task is site selection. Water, sun and soil must all be in harmony.  

 

Got clay soil? Me too. Bad for many plants but ideal for blueberries! They don’t mind a bit, in fact, they prefer it!

Why you ask? Because clay soil actually helps hold the moisture in. Just beware that heavy clay soil may not drain well and blueberries can’t sit in standing water.

Blueberries do not like “wet feet.” Avoid selecting a low area in your yard or any area that receives excessive runoff during periods of heavy rain.

Dark or sandy soils are acceptable with sufficient watering. 

Choose a location that gets a ton of sun with easy access to water. Lugging around buckets of water and tugging long and heavy hoses won’t be fun in July and August.

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Blueberries make perfect landscaping plants!

Blueberries happily grow well next to your house as in the garden. They also like the shelter your home provides.

 

I grow blueberry bushes around the perimeter of my home to save garden space in the raised beds.

In the fall, the bushes take on an ornamental flare transforming into a fiery red bronze tone.  

So blueberries bushes are both attractive and edible. 

Space is vital. Some blueberry plants can grow up to 6 feet high and 3 feet wide so give them enough space to expand both above and below ground.

Ask yourself this question. Are you creating a blueberry hedge allowing the bushes to buttress each other other or do you want the space to walk around each bush? 

If you’re going the hedge route, you need 3 feet between bushes. But if it’s the latter option, 5 feet is more suitable. This will give you that space to access your plants from all angles.  

​Other blueberry plants, like my dwarf Top Hat blueberry bushes are only expected to grow about 2 feet high and 2 feet wide. They can even be grown in pots!

This made the Top Hat blueberry bush an easy choice for my new landscape bushes.  

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Planting perfection!

One of the biggest pitfalls to avoid when blueberry planting is native soil. 

 

Native soil is unlikely to be as acidic as the blueberry plants prefer so it needs to be removed altogether.

In fact, even after you’ve dug your hole, you won’t use any of that native soil in the hole or around the plant again for best results.

​Dig your hole about 20 inches in diameter and 15 inches deep. (About twice as wide and twice as deep as the roots of the plant).

Be mindful that the blueberry bush is a shallow-rooted plant.  

Remove the native soil and discard it to a low spot in your yard.

Space bushes about 5 feet apart in a row, with at least 8 feet between rows. 

In lieu of native soil, you’ll be using Canadian sphagnum peat moss. 

Canadian sphagnum peat moss has the lowest pH which is highly desirable for acid loving blueberry plants.  

Usually it’s bought in bales from garden centers. If you don’t see it out, ask a friendly employee! (or as it usually turns out…not-so-friendly employee!)

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You’ll need approximately 1.8 cubic feet of Canadian sphagnum peat moss per plant.

 

Make sure it is the Canadian variety as it’s the very best!

Mix your peat moss with 5-7 gallons of water. Use a wheelbarrow or large bucket to create your concoction. 

When it looks like brownie batter…you’re in business! 

But unlike brownie batter, you mix it super well. Peat moss really needs to be stirred up to absorb the water! It will feel like thick mud.  

Re-fill your hole with the moistened peat moss first and then add your blueberry plant.

Also add leaf mold, aged sawdust and compost to the hole if you have it. If not, don’t fret either. 

The top of the blueberry root ball should be level to the native soil line. 

Set the bush in the hole with its roots spread out. Don’t plant the bush any deeper than it grew in the nursery pot prior coming to you! Pack the hole tightly with the peat moss.

Remember not to put any native soil in or on top of the hole filled with the moist peat moss.

Stake the plant if needed for that first growing season. 

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The real deal on watering blueberry plants….

Your watering goal for blueberry plants are consistently moist roots that never get soggy.

 

Remember that blueberries do not like “wet feet.” Blueberry bushes can’t sit in standing water. It will rot their roots.

During the growing season, new plants need a minimum of 3-5 gallons of water per plant twice a week when temperatures hit 70 degrees. F. or higher. 

In cooler temps, 3 gallons should suffice about twice a week.

​Think of it in terms of 2 inches of water per week per plant.

​Keep a sharp eye on those blueberry plants. If leaf tips and edges turn brown in a late summer heat wave, try deep watering to a depth of 10 inches for roughly two minutes per plant once a week.

It might surprise you to learn that lack of water in the fall is a major blueberry plant killer!

​A good rule of thumb is to water until Thanksgiving or your first major snowfall.  

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Mulching

Each blueberry plant needs a minimum 30 inch diameter of thick mulch to conserve moisture and prevent weeds.

 

The mulch should go to a depth of 3-5 inches.

Since blueberries are acid-loving plants, pine bark/pine needles are the ideal mulch to use.

Eventually, those pine needles/pine bark will break down and become your acidic topsoil.

We have a few pines trees in our backyard. It was a fun activity for the kids to collect all the pine scraps and needles to put into our beds.

Our family even took a special trip where we know there’s a wonderful row of pine trees.

​We collected three huge plastic bins of pine needle mulch and the kids had a riot.

Between the pine mulch and Canadian sphagnum peat moss we lowered the pH from a 7 to a 5! 

Pollination fast fact!

Did you know? Blueberries are self-pollinating. For optimal cross-pollination blueberries require at least two plants. This can be the same variety or a different variety. 
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Fishy fertilizing….

I am a fertilizer fanatic. Fertilizer makes all the difference in your plants ability to thrive and produce or wither and die.

 

Fertilizer = more flowers = more fruit  in the form of those big, luscious blueberries.

Fish has loads of nitrogen which encourages lots of leaf and branch growth making the plant flourish.

But you don’t want too much nitrogen as that could result in large beefy plants with no flowers to form blueberries.

Fish parts strike the perfect nitrogen balance as they also provide lots of minerals and vitamins, too.

The various fish parts like the bones, heads and guts (sorry, this is grossing even me out) contain lots of these beneficial nutrients that decay fast for a quick boost of nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium for your plants.

As the protein of the fish breaks down all these super nutrients are released into the soil directly to your plants supporting root and foliage growth. 

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Organic fertilizer?

The choice is completely yours.

 

Of course you can fertilize with Miracle-Gro (or some generic knock-off) to energize your plants.
​
Those products are not organic. Chemicals will infiltrate your soil and you can never get the soil back once it’s been exposed to harsh chemicals.

So I’m saving the best for last here, folks!

I love fish fertilizer for my blueberries as my main all-purpose fertilizer. Safe for me, my kids, my pets.

And many non-organic/chemical fertilizers can easily burn or kill your plants if used incorrectly.

I will still use fish and all their extra parts that don’t get eaten for my tomatoes. If you’re a longtime reader, you know Tom is big into fishing so we have easy access.

But after I buried the initial fish parts, I like knowing that I am still fertilizing with the fish & seaweed blend to promote big, bad berries!

In general terms, apply fishy, fertilized water in a 6 inch ring around the base of each plant once a week. Start in March and finish up around mid-August. 

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Fish fertilizer in action…

I start fertilizing when active growth commences. For some of you that might be in March. But for others, April or May is more likely. Stop fertilizing around mid-August. 

 

Use 1 oz. of fish & seaweed blend per gallon of water and feed once a week early in the morning.

Spray the foliage and soil until leaves are dripping and the soil is good and wet. A bigger plant will receive more than a smaller plant. 
 
Results achieved using fish & seaweed blend include:

  • Higher yields
  • Larger berries
  • Increased brix (sugar content) = greater value, flavor, and resistance to insect damage and disease
  • Increased nutritional value 
  • Increased overall health of plants
  • Increased shelf life of berries
  • Repels deer and rabbits
  • Gives draught and frost protection

Fertilizing fast fact!

Small red spots on blueberry leaves is often an indication that the plant wants to be fertilized! 
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Other Neptune’s Harvest amendments to consider:

In early spring there’s two other amendments I add to my blueberry bushes as a topdressing. And unlike the fish & seaweed fertilizer which should be added once a week, these only need to be added once a season. 

 

1.) Neptune’s Harvest crab & lobster shell

and

2.) Neptune’s Harvest kelp meal

​Both of these amendments should be used to topdress your bushes. I like to sprinkle on top and use my hands to work into the soil.

Over time, you’ll see how these two work in unison to create stronger roots in your blueberry plants. A deeper root zone gives you a stronger plant that is able to handle a higher yield!

The crab & lobster blend works excellent when tilled in with the kelp meal. Gives full NPK and Micro Nutrients, with Cal-Mag plus Chitin.

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Pest control

Deer, rabbits, birds and squirrels are cute. But less so after they’ve eaten my tulips, rhubarb, blueberries and tomatoes. 

 

After all, there’s no point in all the time, effort and money you invest in your garden if the animals eat your crops and stomp on your plants.

Time to take action.

​Our biggest claim to fame is putting fencing around all the plants the animals eat and destroy.

​Netting to keep the birds from pecking at your blueberries and squirrels jumping on your plants may also be a necessity.

It’s called fruit netting and it can be purchased at any garden center. Start netting when the first blueberry turns blue.

Drape the netting over the plants and let it drag on the ground.

Take the netting off when the fruit has been picked.

There’s also a third option. 

​Animals like deer and rabbits are herbivores. So their diets consist of plants, not meat. They don’t eat meat. And the smell of the crab & lobster shell is unpleasant to them.

Therefore, sprinkling Neptune’s Harvest crab & lobster shell around your plants will repel these herbivore animals to your great satisfaction!  

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To pluck or not to pluck….that is the question!

The struggle is real.

 

For days, I was loosing sleep over plucking all the flowers off my blueberries bushes. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it!

But of course, the reason you yank the flowers off is to put the energy back into the plant. It’s kind of like investing in their blueberry bush future.

Painful now, but the future yields big dividends!

And of course that’s what is said all over the Internet. You know you can trust Dr. Google….right?!?

Wrong.

Since my plants from True Vine Ranch were over that 3-year mark I get to experience fruit my first season in summer after a fall planting.

​This is because blueberry production takes about 3 years to begin after planting. So it makes sense to pay a tad more for older bushes if your goal is to get fruit as quickly as possible.

First year bushes run about $12 at the local “big box” stores per plant. Seasoned bushes run you about $30 a plant but are 4 to 5 times as big. (Approximately 3-4 feet tall).

True Vine Ranch is special is that there are very few places that you can even purchase larger blueberry plants!

​And you don’t have to wait 3 years to get results! 

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Spring or fall planting?

Blueberries can be planted in the spring or fall.

 

If planting in spring, plant as early as possible. Find plants that are at least 1-3 years old. Select a reputable nursery like True Vine Ranch.

I prefer plants that are 3 years or older because you’ll get berries the very first season.

For plants that are only 1-2 years old, you’ll wait a year or more before fruit appears and none of us are getting any younger here!

For fall planting be aware that it’s common to get wilting plants no matter your plant source. Water the root ball immediately and plant within 48 hours.

Do not fertilize your plants until March/April as this allows them to go dormat without sprouting new growth.

​It is also normal for blueberry leaves to gradually show brown spots and red/yellow coloring as fall progresses.

Blueberry leaves should drop off in November and December.   

Do you grow blueberries?

Secret code – peach

208 Comments

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mary Dailey says

    May 29, 2021 at 11:39 am

    I’ve been wanting to try to grow some blueberries! Thanks for the wonderful tips!

    Reply
    • Landra M says

      May 27, 2022 at 7:49 am

      Great tip, can’t wait to try out some and share them with my family!

      Reply
  2. Chad Boyd says

    June 6, 2021 at 8:18 pm

    My luck with blueberries has been horrible. Hopefully this will help me to be succesful!

    Reply
  3. Sandra McFadden says

    June 6, 2021 at 8:59 pm

    Thanks again for all the great information. Your rock!

    Reply
  4. Vicki Davis says

    June 6, 2021 at 9:37 pm

    Love blueberries…this is just so interesting!!! Bring on the cobbler! Praise the Lord❣️🫐

    Reply
  5. Liz Kilcher says

    June 7, 2021 at 4:17 am

    i will give this a try, thanks much!!!

    Reply
  6. Audrey says

    June 7, 2021 at 10:04 am

    Yum! Love blueberries…

    Reply
  7. Belinda Rowden says

    June 7, 2021 at 10:22 am

    THanks so much

    Reply
  8. bernardina sims says

    June 7, 2021 at 10:28 am

    Thanks for the helpful info on blueberries!

    Reply
  9. Jerome Brownell says

    June 7, 2021 at 10:44 am

    Right on

    Reply
  10. DeeAnn S says

    June 7, 2021 at 11:12 am

    Maybe I’ll give growing blueberries a try! Thanks for the info.

    Reply
  11. Thomas Byrnes says

    June 7, 2021 at 11:22 am

    Thank you. Between this and the 50 facts about blueberries going to try to grow them next year.

    Reply
  12. Tom Svinarich says

    June 7, 2021 at 11:36 am

    iffy in Arizona, they grow in Maine

    Reply
  13. Diane Warstler says

    June 7, 2021 at 11:40 am

    No wonderful I love blueberries so much! Maybe I’ll try my hand at growing some next year.

    Reply
    • Brenda+Williamson says

      June 19, 2021 at 4:58 pm

      Here the birds and critters would get them. Good information, though.

      Reply
  14. Christina Sparks says

    June 7, 2021 at 11:58 am

    Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  15. Tara L says

    June 7, 2021 at 12:16 pm

    Oh this looks wonderful thanks for the tips!

    Reply
  16. vivorn sophamisay says

    June 7, 2021 at 12:23 pm

    Thank you for the tips on pests/birds control.

    Reply
  17. Courtney says

    June 7, 2021 at 12:48 pm

    My mom always has the best blueberry trees, with all this knowledge I bet mine can top hers! Maybe I will share a few secrets 😌😂

    Reply
  18. Ronda says

    June 7, 2021 at 12:55 pm

    I love blueberries, can’t wait to try this

    Reply
  19. Sam says

    June 7, 2021 at 1:15 pm

    These tips will definitely help save time on the trial and error of what works for bluebberries.

    Reply
  20. Lesley F says

    June 7, 2021 at 2:24 pm

    Those blueberries look delicious!

    Reply
  21. heather says

    June 7, 2021 at 2:54 pm

    I would so love to grow these thanks for sharing these great tips.

    Reply
  22. Amanda Whitley says

    June 7, 2021 at 3:55 pm

    I am hoping to start growing blueberries because we love them in our pancakes and to just snack on.

    Reply
  23. Sarah Cool says

    June 7, 2021 at 4:32 pm

    This is my first year growing blueberries and I’ve had major issues! Probably related to the ph level since I have not tested my soil and I had them in direct sunlight which burnt one to a crisp luckily I was able to return it and buy a healthy one. I will definitely be buying a ph meter and my bushes are in a shadier location now and doing much better

    Reply
  24. DAVID PRICE says

    June 7, 2021 at 4:37 pm

    david price says

    Reply
  25. Cynthia says

    June 7, 2021 at 5:04 pm

    I just buy my blueberries.

    Reply
  26. Rita M says

    June 7, 2021 at 5:26 pm

    My granddaughter would be so excited if I grew my own blueberries! Thanks for all the great into.

    Reply
  27. Minnie C. says

    June 7, 2021 at 5:28 pm

    I enjoy eating blueberries in many different ways. I love blueberry muffins, blueberry cobbler, blueberry yogurt and so on. I will be trying your tips to hopefully, grow the best blueberries.

    Reply
  28. Laura Harrison says

    June 7, 2021 at 5:54 pm

    I buy the bags of frozen blueberries to use in my yogurt, cereal, shakes, or wherever. I have not planted any blueberries (yet). It is something I’d like to do. I have arbors to build for my grapes (clearance vine at WalMart) that is growing like crazy and a muscadine vine I have. Weirdest thing is I found a new muscadine vine that popped up in a totally different spot in my yard this year. Now, I need to arbor it somehow.

    Reply
    • CATESE CHAFFEE says

      May 25, 2022 at 3:30 pm

      I needed this, my blueberries are in bad shape – going to go work on them.

      Reply
  29. irina says

    June 7, 2021 at 7:16 pm

    Thank you for the great info

    Reply
  30. Lisa Alden says

    June 7, 2021 at 9:00 pm

    Hard growing blueberries out here. Have to use distilled water and grow in pots in the desert

    Reply
  31. Jennifer George says

    June 7, 2021 at 9:08 pm

    I have a few blueberry bushes. Thanks for the tips!

    Reply
  32. Elissa Hammond says

    June 7, 2021 at 9:28 pm

    Can we actually grow blueberries in Wisconsin?

    Reply
  33. Milly Voskanyan says

    June 7, 2021 at 11:09 pm

    Blueberries….Yum!

    Reply
  34. Sherry McCarthy says

    June 7, 2021 at 11:36 pm

    Love Blueberries! Thank you for all the info!

    Reply
  35. Hana Harman says

    June 8, 2021 at 3:55 am

    Thank you for the helpful info on blueberries

    Reply
  36. Suzanne B says

    June 8, 2021 at 4:16 am

    I do not have a large yard but somehow it is a little farmers market. I have to keep my husband in check from bringing in one more blueberry variety. It’s the farm we could not afford and I will be doggone he is making it work.

    Reply
  37. Michael Coovert says

    June 8, 2021 at 6:22 am

    I have never tried to grow blueberries. I tried strawberries once and it was a catastrophe.

    Reply
  38. kevin oconnor says

    June 8, 2021 at 8:11 am

    win please

    Reply
  39. Stephanie Perry says

    June 8, 2021 at 9:45 am

    Thanks you 🙂

    Reply
  40. Jill H says

    June 8, 2021 at 10:03 am

    Too hot here. Have tried.

    Reply
  41. monique s says

    June 8, 2021 at 11:40 am

    They are my favorite berry but the squirrels seem to get mine before I do

    Reply
  42. Beverly Metcalf says

    June 8, 2021 at 2:16 pm

    We love blueberries and have been thinking about planting a few bushes. Thanks for all the info.

    Reply
  43. Angelica says

    June 8, 2021 at 3:41 pm

    Blueberries are my fave! Once we get our back yard cleaned up and hardscaped this year I plan on filling in all the garden areas with blueberries!

    Reply
  44. Tony Platz says

    June 8, 2021 at 3:55 pm

    Love Blueberries but never tried to grow them .

    Reply
  45. ldweisberg says

    June 8, 2021 at 4:02 pm

    I’ve saved this page as I’m planning on getting blueberry plants in my next home (within the next 8 mos I hope!).

    Reply
  46. Judy Elmayan says

    June 8, 2021 at 4:40 pm

    Nostalgia rushes thru me. My grandfather taking me and my little sister to the wood to look for these berries. Such a sweet time of life long ago and missing him today.

    Reply
  47. candy says

    June 8, 2021 at 5:17 pm

    never tried to grow blueberries..thanks

    Reply
  48. Carrie Capehart says

    June 8, 2021 at 8:39 pm

    I haven’t tried to grow blueberries yet

    Reply
  49. Jennifer Phillips says

    June 8, 2021 at 8:53 pm

    Ooops I think I posted my blueberry reply on the wrong post, sorry. To sum it up, I asked what to do with an overabundance of frozen ones. We picked too many, so I froze them but there were sooooooooooo many and I am tired of muffins and smoothies for them, do you have any ideas?

    Reply
  50. Barbara Calder says

    June 8, 2021 at 11:22 pm

    I love blueberry smoothies.

    Reply
  51. Tammy Liscio says

    June 9, 2021 at 9:05 am

    Thank you

    Reply
  52. Brittany Gilley says

    June 9, 2021 at 6:29 pm

    I love picking wild blueberries up on the Blue Ridge Parkway

    Reply
  53. Lisa Cress says

    June 9, 2021 at 6:47 pm

    We do grow blueberries. They are a bit of work and worry, but so delicious! Thank you!

    Reply
  54. Karen Cozza says

    June 10, 2021 at 5:43 am

    Thank you for all the great information on how to grow blueberries!

    Reply
  55. Patricia+wright says

    June 10, 2021 at 9:07 pm

    We have a blueberry farm next door

    Reply
  56. Betsy says

    June 11, 2021 at 5:49 pm

    Wow .. so much to learn here!

    Reply
  57. Betsy Pauzauskie says

    June 11, 2021 at 6:34 pm

    Your tips and tricks are wonderful! I appreciate your well written articles. Thank you.

    Reply
  58. Rhonda Martin says

    June 11, 2021 at 7:15 pm

    My blueberries are sad in yield. I need to buy me a ph tester. Thanks for the tips I really needed a boost to get on top of the ph level. I wonder does it matter when you add the additive?

    Reply
  59. Leela says

    June 12, 2021 at 3:45 am

    I would love to grow some blueberries. We eat so any of them.

    Reply
  60. Jennylyn Gross says

    June 12, 2021 at 5:13 pm

    Thanks for the info and tips!

    Reply
  61. kathy m says

    June 13, 2021 at 12:26 pm

    thanks so much for the great tips – I am going to try to grow in containers so I can get them out of the extreme cold we have for 6 months of the year. The article was full of good information on the soil to use in the container!

    Reply
  62. Karen Herbert says

    June 13, 2021 at 12:31 pm

    Tried blueberries once without much success, ready to try again.

    Reply
  63. Yona Williams says

    June 13, 2021 at 3:54 pm

    I really wanted to plant berries this year, but I don’t think I will get around to it this year.

    Reply
  64. Jessica W. says

    June 15, 2021 at 9:47 am

    I may try to grow blueberries one day.

    Reply
  65. Sue E says

    June 15, 2021 at 5:05 pm

    I love blueberries 🫐 They add exceptional flavor to cookies, muffins, cakes, pancakes and just eat them plain. I have to admit that I would grow green peppers 🫑 before I grew blueberries 🫐
    Blueberries aren’t as easy to maintain as peppers. I know I wouldn’t buy a gadget to test the ph in the soil. I also like instant gratification when growing some things. I might try growing them in the house, but without the smell of fish heads. Do you keep the fish heads on ice/freezer or buy them fresh all the time? We definitely would need a shed to keep all the planting items. Your article was pin worthy. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  66. Christina Gould says

    June 16, 2021 at 2:43 pm

    I haven’t had blueberries in the longest time. Now I’m craving them, lol. Thanks for posting!

    Reply
  67. Donna Martin says

    June 16, 2021 at 8:35 pm

    very good tips

    Reply
  68. Michelle Proper says

    June 16, 2021 at 8:46 pm

    Love blueberries. I had to leave mine behind when I moved. Hopefully have them again someday!

    Reply
  69. Crystal Abel says

    June 17, 2021 at 1:58 am

    I love blueberries! I have five plants and I will have to try these tips and tricks.

    Reply
  70. sheila ressel says

    June 18, 2021 at 10:50 am

    Never tried growing blueberries but I just may try.

    Reply
  71. Gina Ferrell says

    June 19, 2021 at 7:59 pm

    I love blueberries and making desserts too with them. These are some very pretty blueberries!

    Reply
  72. Renee Skoglund says

    June 19, 2021 at 9:11 pm

    Wild blue berries grow abundantly in Michigan.

    Reply
  73. Kristine Paull says

    June 22, 2021 at 8:06 am

    I love fresh blueberries, but I’m sure all the 4 legged critters do too 🤣 wonderful info though

    Reply
  74. Julie Waldron says

    June 23, 2021 at 5:16 pm

    No, we’ve never grown blueberries. We either pick them or buy them in the store.

    Reply
  75. Rosanne says

    June 23, 2021 at 11:45 pm

    Taste is important too

    Reply
  76. Jennifer Keating says

    June 27, 2021 at 11:45 am

    I don’t grow them but I definitely should! They are my son and dog’s FAVORITE fruit! Plus I love putting them in my yogurt parfaits!

    Reply
  77. Donna C says

    June 29, 2021 at 1:25 pm

    There is nothing like fresh home grown blueberries!

    Reply
  78. Carolyn Lefever says

    June 30, 2021 at 12:57 pm

    I love love blueberries. From muffins to cobbler. Appreciate the tips for growing.

    Reply
  79. Lisa Bennett says

    July 1, 2021 at 10:24 am

    I grew up eating the blueberries from my parents bushes. They gave me the gift of their green thumbs. Lol.
    We also would pick for hours at my aunt & uncle’s blueberry patch.
    We all love them

    Reply
  80. Debbie P says

    July 1, 2021 at 2:45 pm

    We love blueberries! Thanks for this article and the great information!

    Reply
  81. joanna says

    July 1, 2021 at 3:20 pm

    We just have too many birds around here. They get them before we ever do.

    Reply
  82. Janice Pittenger says

    July 1, 2021 at 4:41 pm

    I love blueberries. Wish I had a place to grow them.

    Reply
  83. Richard+Hicks says

    July 7, 2021 at 1:19 am

    I love blueberries. Lots of great tips here!

    Reply
  84. Holly says

    July 7, 2021 at 1:52 pm

    Great article! Blueberries are delicious and so good for us. I love them in whole grain muffins or pancakes!

    Reply
  85. Paula Stafford says

    July 8, 2021 at 8:42 am

    Love to win

    Reply
  86. Paula Stafford says

    July 8, 2021 at 8:51 am

    I have the lemonade blue berry bush. They are delicious.

    Reply
  87. BARBARA A REICHARD says

    July 8, 2021 at 11:16 am

    love blueberries, great information

    Reply
  88. Jenny H says

    July 8, 2021 at 4:49 pm

    I love blueberrires! Great info!

    Reply
  89. clynsg says

    July 10, 2021 at 2:59 pm

    After reading your column, I think I have a pretty good idea why blueberries are expensive!

    Reply
  90. Wendy says

    July 11, 2021 at 5:43 pm

    Well I certainly have enough pine needles in my yard, but I’m not sure about chopping up fish, lol.

    Reply
  91. Thomas Gibson says

    July 12, 2021 at 12:03 am

    Love the article. I really love blueberries!

    Reply
  92. Antoinette M says

    July 12, 2021 at 1:33 pm

    We love blueberries. Never considered growing our own…thanks for the informative post!

    Reply
  93. Gal Colleen says

    July 13, 2021 at 1:27 pm

    Great tips!

    Reply
  94. Theresa Jenkins says

    July 16, 2021 at 9:04 am

    Thanks for the tips…this is my next project!

    Reply
  95. Sandra Watts says

    July 16, 2021 at 10:34 am

    I used to blueberry pick every year. These look fab delish!

    Reply
  96. donna porter says

    July 17, 2021 at 7:37 pm

    Thanks so much for the helpful tips and information. I have tried planting strawberries but did not do very well. Never tackled blueberries so now I will know how!

    Reply
  97. Lissa Crane says

    July 17, 2021 at 8:25 pm

    I’m fairly new to planting, but blueberries are on my bucket list to plant. This was very enlightening-thanks for the great tips! I bookmarked this page to refer to when I’m ready!

    Reply
  98. Elizabeth Krill says

    July 20, 2021 at 12:41 am

    I never knew blueberry bushes could grow 6 feet tall. Now I will need to research the new plants I just purchased earlier this year to see how tall they will get.

    Reply
  99. Gloria Luongo says

    July 20, 2021 at 7:22 am

    Thanks for the info. My husband has wanted to grow blueberries for a while.

    Reply
  100. Michael Villani says

    July 20, 2021 at 8:06 am

    Always great info!

    Reply
  101. Judy Rittenhouse says

    July 20, 2021 at 6:34 pm

    Thank you for all the blueberry growing tips!

    Reply
  102. Tisha5311 says

    July 20, 2021 at 9:53 pm

    Loving this blog!!! Amazing information

    Reply
  103. Susan Marina Brown Lane says

    July 20, 2021 at 11:11 pm

    I want to grow blueberries! I wasn’t sure I could grow them here, but my sister-in-law did this year!

    Reply
  104. Karen Webster Hunt says

    May 24, 2022 at 7:34 pm

    Great tips and I would love to grow blueberries!

    Reply
  105. Chad Boyd says

    May 24, 2022 at 7:35 pm

    I have tried and failed to grow blueberries here in VA so many times, maybe these tips will be the help I need to make it happen.

    Reply
  106. Audrey says

    May 24, 2022 at 7:38 pm

    Awesome tips… we love blueberries!

    Reply
  107. Sandra McFadden says

    May 24, 2022 at 8:22 pm

    I love blueberries we had them growing in the wild across from our property in Wisconsin. The kids loved to pick them.

    Reply
  108. Carol Naes says

    May 24, 2022 at 8:29 pm

    I wish I had room for a vegetable or fruit garden

    Reply
  109. Janis C says

    May 24, 2022 at 8:31 pm

    I love blueberries. I have a couple of blueberry bushes which produce average sized berries. I typically leave them for the birds to enjoy.

    Reply
  110. Michelle Simons says

    May 24, 2022 at 8:57 pm

    Great info, i really wish i could i could grow blueberries and lemons in MI.

    Reply
  111. Patricia wright says

    May 24, 2022 at 10:31 pm

    Great info.

    Reply
  112. jenna brown says

    May 24, 2022 at 11:39 pm

    blueberries are my favorite fruit! Thanks for all the helpful info!!

    Reply
  113. Liz Kilcher says

    May 25, 2022 at 4:03 am

    great info, thanks

    Reply
  114. Diane Warstler says

    May 25, 2022 at 8:08 am

    I had no idea that the blueberry plants are so beautiful and that, in addition to providing this delicious fruit, they’re also great landscaping plants. Thanks so much for a great, fact-filled, and helpful article.

    Reply
  115. Crystal M says

    May 25, 2022 at 10:18 am

    I planted two blueberry bushes last year. One is producing berries but the other one is not, yet. Thanks for the great tips. I am dreaming of homemade blueberry muffins

    Reply
  116. Cylina Williams says

    May 25, 2022 at 10:26 am

    we love growing blueberries, its so much better fresh

    Reply
  117. Jean Holland says

    May 25, 2022 at 10:29 am

    So many helpful hints! We planted blueberries a few years ago, but sadly the plants didn’t make it. We didn’t know about the soil and water problems. Will be forwarded this link to husband, since he is the one who overwaters and thinks any soil will do.

    Reply
  118. Joanne Schultz says

    May 25, 2022 at 10:33 am

    Yum, I love blueberries! I was a little confused though. First I read that if you have clay, blueberries love it! Then I read that when you plant the blueberries, you want to dig a deep hole and remove the native soil, and replace it with water soaked special peat moss. Whatever, should I decide to plant blueberries, I’ll certainly keep n eye on the soil pH! Very informative & detailed article!

    Reply
  119. Michelle Proper says

    May 25, 2022 at 11:32 am

    Missing my blueberries from my old homestead! Time to plant a few! <3

    Reply
  120. Carolyn Barnett says

    May 25, 2022 at 11:44 am

    I love all the information and updates on this site!!!

    Reply
  121. Amy C Pullifrone says

    May 25, 2022 at 11:46 am

    I love blueberries…great article.

    Reply
  122. Monica M says

    May 25, 2022 at 12:32 pm

    I love blueberries, thanks for the tips!

    Reply
  123. Jill H says

    May 25, 2022 at 12:46 pm

    I have not been successful growing blueberries.

    Reply
    • Laura Sproull says

      May 27, 2022 at 8:37 am

      It is hard but a valiant effort! I guess we just like blueberries too much not to give it are all. We added 3 bushes this year though! Hope you are doing well =)

      Reply
  124. Sandy says

    May 25, 2022 at 1:01 pm

    Thanks for all the great info.

    Reply
  125. LindaW says

    May 25, 2022 at 1:17 pm

    Wow! So much good information. I hadn’t realized the importance of clay soil. I thought they liked sandy soil. I see a lot of soil amendments in my future…

    Reply
  126. Roberta Barragan says

    May 25, 2022 at 2:53 pm

    Awesome information…

    Reply
  127. Stephen Jones says

    May 25, 2022 at 2:57 pm

    never tried growing these before but love blueberries!

    Reply
  128. Irene says

    May 25, 2022 at 4:07 pm

    Great tips, love blueberries

    Reply
  129. Jamie Hunley says

    May 25, 2022 at 4:54 pm

    Thank you so much for this chance! I love this article ☺️

    Reply
  130. Grace says

    May 25, 2022 at 5:23 pm

    Great contest and blog

    Reply
  131. Becky Coyne says

    May 25, 2022 at 6:25 pm

    This is all wonderful advice! I love growing our own food for my family!

    Reply
  132. Sam says

    May 25, 2022 at 6:47 pm

    Some great tips – definitely will have to check pH.

    Reply
  133. Julie M. Feldermann says

    May 25, 2022 at 7:00 pm

    I love blueberries, but would never try growing them. They would die.

    Reply
  134. Donna C says

    May 25, 2022 at 8:37 pm

    Such great tips, as always!

    Reply
  135. Lisa Alden says

    May 25, 2022 at 9:05 pm

    Cant grow blueberries in the SW in this soil. Unless its in pots.

    Reply
  136. Elisse says

    May 25, 2022 at 11:19 pm

    Saving this, as I have had NO luck with blueberries- I have one tiny bush left, but it produces almost nothing… I need to do something!

    Reply
  137. Sally Gearhart says

    May 25, 2022 at 11:55 pm

    Thank you for the great information. I tried growing a couple blueberry bushes but my donkeys stripped them to a little nub in the ground haha. I will have to try again with all your tips and a better location!

    Reply
  138. cynthia says

    May 26, 2022 at 12:30 am

    Yes, I have 6 blueberry bushes.

    Reply
  139. Nancy Magnone says

    May 26, 2022 at 1:11 am

    I love this site as it has helped a beginner gardener to grow leaps and bounds! I love learning all the amazing, useful things you post. Thank you very much!

    Reply
  140. Pamela Gard says

    May 26, 2022 at 1:13 am

    Fantastic looking blueberries! Such a positive affect

    Reply
  141. Minnie C. says

    May 26, 2022 at 1:37 am

    Learning about how to grow blueberries is fascinating. Thank you for the interesting, informative & educational reading on Blueberries! Your tips, suggestions and ideas will be helpful when I try to grow blueberries. I love blueberries and they are so beneficial for us.

    Reply
  142. cheryl bastulli says

    May 26, 2022 at 6:00 am

    Love all your tips, thank you!

    Reply
  143. Michael Villani says

    May 26, 2022 at 7:47 am

    Love this!

    Reply
  144. John G. says

    May 26, 2022 at 11:38 am

    Great ideas for growing wild blueberries.

    Reply
  145. Stephanie Hartsog says

    May 26, 2022 at 11:41 am

    I love blueberries, but sometimes it’s hard to find some big, juicy ones, unless you have a blueberry farm and can pick them yourself. I just want to let you know, I love your blog, and look forward to it every chance I get

    Reply
  146. Margaret Caudill says

    May 26, 2022 at 12:03 pm

    Great information will try to grow them again

    Reply
  147. Tammy Horn says

    May 26, 2022 at 1:12 pm

    Great article. Going to forward this to my brother who is just starting out growing blueberries.

    Reply
  148. Bev J says

    May 26, 2022 at 3:28 pm

    I’ve never tried to grow blueberries.

    Reply
  149. Betsy Pauzauskie says

    May 26, 2022 at 5:16 pm

    Fortunately, my husband’s rash Lowe’s buying decision has given us many years of scrumptious blueberries. That purchase was based on desire, with planting being spur of the moment dumb luck. I always appreciate your helpful articles and incorporate your advice. And I now find myself researching each plant’s needs so I can prepare for and provide the best conditions possible prior to purchase and planting. Thank you for continuing to inspire me!

    Reply
  150. Kathy Fronk says

    May 26, 2022 at 5:31 pm

    I love all colors of peppers.

    Reply
  151. JeannieD says

    May 26, 2022 at 11:28 pm

    I just received a blueberry plant as a gift. This information is priceless. Thank you sooooo much!

    Reply
  152. BrandiG41 says

    May 27, 2022 at 8:52 am

    We started our first raised garden this spring, I’m so excited to see how well we do? Planted strawberries, tomatoes, lettuce and carrots.

    Reply
    • Laura Sproull says

      May 28, 2022 at 8:34 am

      Awesome!!

      Reply
  153. Bradley Marquis says

    May 27, 2022 at 9:12 am

    good info

    Reply
  154. Terri Bollin says

    May 27, 2022 at 9:18 am

    I always put blueberries in my smoothie and it’s delicious.

    Reply
  155. Jana S says

    May 27, 2022 at 12:34 pm

    My toddler Granddaughters love blueberries. After reading this article I am ready to try my hand at growing them for the girls. Thank you.

    Reply
  156. Meghan R. says

    May 27, 2022 at 1:59 pm

    I love blueberries! Thanks for the information!

    Reply
  157. Lisa Perez says

    May 27, 2022 at 3:58 pm

    I absolutely love blueberries for oh so many dishes and simply great snacks. I am always looking for the best recipes and thank you for all you share. Interesting on the planting in Fall and Spring with trees of age. Exceptional information and thanks so much.

    Reply
  158. Christina Lachelle Ramsey says

    May 27, 2022 at 4:09 pm

    LOVE THIS SITE!!!! Signed up to get a chance at the beautiful chair and table set, but FELL IN LOVE WITH THE SITE ALSO!!!!! Hoping to win!

    Reply
  159. Leland Griffin Jr says

    May 27, 2022 at 5:26 pm

    Hopeful, been fighting deer for years. They love blueberry bushies.

    Reply
  160. Pam W. says

    May 27, 2022 at 8:55 pm

    I’ve tried to grow blueberries, but the birds always get to them before I can pick them.

    Reply
  161. Amber Lee Kolb says

    May 27, 2022 at 9:26 pm

    Thank you for the amazing tips! I might have to try planting some this year!

    Reply
  162. Cathy McInturff says

    May 27, 2022 at 9:36 pm

    Thank you so much for the gardening and life tips!! I’m trying to raise my grands with the love of gardening!!

    Reply
  163. Angie Shackelford says

    May 27, 2022 at 11:09 pm

    Very helpful information thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  164. Leigh Nichols says

    May 28, 2022 at 12:05 am

    I LOVE blueberries!

    Reply
  165. Brian Teater says

    May 28, 2022 at 3:14 am

    I love blueberries! Moreover, thank you for the informative article!

    Reply
  166. Bradley Russell says

    May 28, 2022 at 8:49 am

    Nothing better than fresh blueberries!

    Reply
  167. Jenn Koziol says

    May 28, 2022 at 9:31 am

    Great tips! We love blueberries. Can’t wait to try and grow some!

    Reply
  168. Ashley Smith says

    May 28, 2022 at 1:02 pm

    I love blueberries!! Thank you for the great tips!

    Reply
  169. Leland Lee says

    May 28, 2022 at 2:09 pm

    Great tips! We love blueberries

    Reply
  170. Stephanie Mellott says

    May 28, 2022 at 7:51 pm

    Awesome tips i love blueberries would have to try to grow some.

    Reply
  171. Tara Enright says

    May 29, 2022 at 10:38 am

    Wow. I honestly never thought that we could grow Blueberries. I might have to add this to my step dads garden and try some. We get blueberries sometimes on sale at Shoprite when it’s 2 for $5.00.

    Reply
  172. Michael Coovert says

    May 29, 2022 at 1:37 pm

    I love blueberries but never tried to grow them.

    Reply
  173. Jennifer George says

    May 30, 2022 at 11:45 am

    Thanks for the tips!

    Reply
  174. Jennylyn Gross says

    May 30, 2022 at 11:53 am

    this is good to know thank you

    Reply
  175. Debora H says

    May 30, 2022 at 3:05 pm

    Very comprehensive instructions for growing blueberries. Thanks for all the info.

    Reply
  176. Mary Dailey says

    June 1, 2022 at 12:05 pm

    I have a couple of pine trees, so I think I have the perfect spot that has pine needles AND sunshine! I can’t wait to try this! Thank you so much for these tips!

    Reply
  177. Leela says

    June 1, 2022 at 6:22 pm

    I love blueberries.I’ve never tried growing them myself.

    Reply
  178. Gloria Gayle Cook Stafford says

    June 1, 2022 at 6:40 pm

    I love blueberries and I am lucky enough to have a blueberry farm that lets you pick for free.

    Reply
  179. Barbara Tryon says

    June 2, 2022 at 8:46 am

    We use fish guts for fertilizer when planting our tomatoes. From your other blog I didn’t know that green and red peppers are basically the same. Thanks for all these amazing tips for a better garden.

    Reply
  180. Crystal Abel says

    June 2, 2022 at 8:26 pm

    Thanks for the wonderful tips!

    Reply
  181. Sherry Keef says

    June 3, 2022 at 1:14 am

    I just planted my summer plants and would love to win this awesome giveaway! I love the quilted hammock. @nagsheadhammock.com
    ❤️🌷🌹🌺🌻🌼🌼🌸💐

    Reply
  182. Annita says

    June 4, 2022 at 8:29 am

    thanks for all your help

    Reply
  183. Katie Wiersema says

    June 5, 2022 at 2:56 am

    I love DIY, but have never had much of a green thumb. This should help!

    Reply
  184. Eva Mack says

    June 5, 2022 at 9:30 am

    In season get extra and freeze them on a cookie tray … after frozen put them in a freezer bag for long term storage.

    Reply
  185. Margaret S Porter says

    June 5, 2022 at 9:45 am

    I love blueberries! I am going to try this netting to see if I can save them from the birds. I have a horrible time with squirrels too. Any hints to keep them from scarfing up all my pecans?

    Reply
  186. Sandra Watts says

    June 5, 2022 at 3:08 pm

    Love blueberries. I used to have lots of bushes but no more.

    Reply
  187. Nicole umbreit says

    June 8, 2022 at 8:45 am

    Great tips !! Cannot wait to try them out !!

    Reply
  188. Marie Stokes says

    June 11, 2022 at 9:56 am

    nice site!

    Reply
  189. Maryann D. says

    June 12, 2022 at 8:12 am

    Super info, I would love to be able to grow blueberries for my family.

    Reply
  190. Joann Bodnar says

    June 12, 2022 at 9:54 am

    awesome they look yummy! thanks for the tips!

    Reply
  191. Jennifer Davis says

    June 12, 2022 at 6:39 pm

    I’ve never thought to grow blueberries, this is inspiring!

    Reply
  192. Kelly Heimiller says

    June 13, 2022 at 11:02 am

    Never thought to use crab shells. Living in Maryland we eat crabs all summer long and this would be a great way to use the shells instead of just throw them away. Thanks for the tip.

    Reply
  193. candy says

    June 14, 2022 at 9:17 am

    We love blueberries!!

    Reply
  194. JO says

    June 18, 2022 at 6:58 am

    so much to learn! thanks for the information

    Reply
  195. DeeAnn S says

    June 18, 2022 at 1:11 pm

    I grew blueberries when I lived in another state. Guess it’s time to start again! Thanks for the useful tips.

    Reply
  196. Laurie Nykaza says

    June 28, 2022 at 3:23 am

    I will have to use the information when caring for the ones will plant next year if the drought isnt too bad here.

    Reply
  197. JUANITA K RUSSELL says

    June 28, 2022 at 7:37 pm

    I would love to grow blueberries

    Reply
  198. Steven Cook says

    July 3, 2022 at 9:48 pm

    The info you’ve been providing on PH is so informative. Now I understand why I’ve had success and failures with some plants like blueberries!

    Reply
  199. Trish F says

    July 5, 2022 at 11:23 pm

    Thanks for this comprehensive all about Blueberries article. I never knew how important the pH is and how big native plants can get. The flowers and fall color does make it a perfect plant incorporated into the landscape, I always wanted an edible landscape. Maybe I will try adding one or two plants into my foundation plantings that gets plenty of sun, a dwarf variety probably would be the easiest to start with.

    Reply
  200. Wendy says

    July 6, 2022 at 1:48 am

    OK, I think I might try growing them again with this advice. The last time I tried, I just dug a hole and planted the bushes. It looks like there is much more to these.

    Reply
  201. Richard Hicks says

    July 7, 2022 at 2:28 am

    Thanks for the great tips. I would love to be able to pick my own.

    Reply
  202. Christy R. says

    July 10, 2022 at 1:19 pm

    I love blueberries and they are so good for you. Thank you for the tips.

    Reply
  203. FoxFarm says

    January 18, 2023 at 6:03 pm

    Perhaps that’s why I’m a great source for blueberry growing~ I’ve never done it before and managed to grow an astounding amount of blueberries from a crop planted in the fall. But not before doing my research. Hours of fun and thrilling blueberry reading

    Reply

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about laura sproull

about laura sproull

Hi! I'm Laura and hail from Western New York. I consider myself a lifelong learner who loves gardening with a 360 degree view. Thanks for stopping by!

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