Growing Blueberries At Home - A Guide For Beginners

Growing Blueberries At Home

Hello gardeners, today we are here with a new article again. Do you want to grow blueberries at home? Well, in this article we are here to explain how to grow blueberries at home. We are even here to cover the following topics regarding growing blueberries. The topics are listed below:

Introduction to growing blueberries at home
Blueberries growing states or places in India
Types/varieties of blueberries to grow
Soil requirement for growing blueberries at home
Suitable location or site for growing blueberries at home
Suitable container for growing Blueberries At Home
How to plant blueberries at home?
How to water blueberries at home?
How to mulch blueberries at home?
How to prune blueberries at home?
How to protect blueberries from birds at home?
How to fertilize blueberries at home?
Natural fertilizers used for growing blueberries at home
Pests and diseases of blueberry
Harvesting the blueberries
Commonly asked questions for growing blueberries at home

Introduction to Growing Blueberries At Home

Blueberries have blue or purple berries and blueberries are perennial flowering plants. They belong to the Ericaceae family. Blueberries are highly prized for their sweet edible fruits. Blueberries have an excellent source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, iron, and they have several antioxidants. The following information may be useful in growing Blueberries in the Backyard, Balcony, and even on the Terrace.

A Step By Step Guide for Growing Blueberries At Home

Blueberries require very little effort; hence they are easy to grow. They are usually eaten fresh as a dessert fruit and can be baked in a variety of pastries. Blueberries are also related to cranberries and they are also related to bilberries, which are also members of the genus Vaccinium. Blueberries are self-fertile plants, so by planting two or more than two varieties together you can give more and larger berries. Planting two or more than one variety can also extend the harvest time.

Blueberries Growing States or Places in India

Most of the blueberries grow in cold climates. In India, blueberry fruits survive in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh. The Shimla region or site of Himachal Pradesh has taken out the interest in blueberry harvesting.

Types/Varieties of Blueberries to Grow

There are four types of blueberries and they are listed below:

high bush

Again high bush blueberries are divided into two separate types they are northern and southern blueberry bush. Northern blueberry bushes grow to between 1.5 to 2.5m in height and southern blueberry can grow between 6-8 feet in height.

low bush

As the name says low bush blueberries are shorter and truer bushes than their high bush counterparts, they grow under 1.5m in height. For a beautiful fruit yield, you need to plant more than one plant. These types of low bush blueberries need little pruning, and it is also recommended to cut the plant back to the ground every 2-3 years.

hybrid half-high

They have combined qualities of high bush blueberries and low bush blueberries into hybrids so they are called half-high blueberries. They grow between 0.9 to 1.2m in height.

rabbit eye

These varieties are highly adaptable, productive, and also pest-tolerant. They grow between 1.8 to 3 meters in height.

The most commonly and regularly planted blueberry is the high bush blueberry.

Soil Requirement for Growing Blueberries At Home

Blueberry plants need acidic soil to survive; the ideal soil pH must be between 4.5 and 4.8 for blueberry soil. The soil pH should be measured for knowing how acidic or alkaline soil is. The blueberry plants usually have shallow-roots and they require well-drained soil that holds moisture. Remember you should not plant blueberries in sites that have heavy, clayey soils. One simple thing you should do to help blueberries survive is to make sure that the soil is rich in organic matter or not. When you have planned for planting blueberries directly in the ground, you need to increase the organic matter by mixing 3 inches of aged compost-enriched into the top 6 inches of the ground soil. When you have planned for planting blueberries in containers, then you need to start by filling pots with organic compost.

Suitable Location or Site for Growing Blueberries At Home

**Location for Growing Blueberries** (Image Credit: Pixabay)

Select a sunny and sheltered spot. While blueberries are very good tolerant of shade, but better plants are obtained in the sun. At the same time, blueberry plants should not be exposed to harsh and drying winds. Remember you should not plant blueberries nearby trees, as the trees will block out the sunlight, and also suck up any moisture in the soil. Due to this reason, blueberries will not sunlight. It’s better to plant them in a patch if you have decided for planting multiple bushes, rather than scattered throughout your garden. This will boost up the berry production and quality.

Suitable Container for Growing Blueberries At Home

If you want to plant blueberry in containers then make sure that pots or containers are at least 20 to 24 inches in diameter. You should ensure that the selected container has a drainage hole at the bottom. After planting in a pot or container, water the new blueberry plants well, soaking the root ball and surrounding with soil completely.

How to Plant Blueberries At Home?

You need to dig holes about 20 inches deep and 18 inches wide. Then space the blueberry bushes 4–5 feet apart in a row, with at least 8 feet between rows. After that you need to prepare a planting mixture of 2 different parts, one is loam and the other part with oak leaf mold, peat moss, aged compost, and you need to place a layer of this mixture in the bottom of the hole also. Then you need to set the bush in the hole with the root ball just below the surface and allow its roots to spread out. After that, you need to pack the hole tightly with soil. One month after planting you need to apply fertilizer.

Water Requirement for Growing Blueberries At Home

Water them regularly and keep the soil consistently moist during the growing season. Blueberries have shallow roots. That means there are more chances of drying out. Check soil more and more times a week, and when the top inch is dry, that means it’s time to water the plant. When watering the plant, you need to aim directly at the root zone of the plant.

How to Mulch Blueberries At Home?

You need to apply a 2 to 3-inch mulch layer around the blueberry plant but not on top of the blueberry plant. This helps to keep the shallow roots from drying out. For mulching, use shredded leaves, pine straw, wooden sticks, or another locally available material.

How to Prune Blueberry Trees?

For the first three years after planting the blueberry plant, you don’t need to prune much beyond removing any damaged or dead leaves or branches. After three years in the fourth year after planting, prune blueberry plant once a year while plants are dormant. You need to remove dead, damaged, or diseased branches, along with stems that crisscross in the center of the plant to improve the airflow of the plant. As blueberry plants mature, remove the branches that are over 2 inches in diameter.

Protecting Blueberries from Birds

As much as humans even birds love the taste of blueberries. If you do not want to share your harvest which means blueberries with birds, then you need to cover blueberry plants with bird netting. You need to build a framework for the netting that fits neatly over the blueberry bushes or plant and allows easy access for picking.

Blueberry Caring Through the Seasons

In March— you need to prune the bushes before new growth begins after the coldest weather has passed away.

In April, May— you need to or you can plant new blueberry bushes.

In May, June— you need to apply mulch for the growing season of the blueberry.

In July— you can harvest blueberries.

July through September— you need to apply soil amendments for growth.

In September, October— you need to apply mulch for winter protection and then you can enjoy fall color.

How to Fertilize Blueberry plants

Blueberries usually love higher acid soil. Mainly, for this reason, you need to use a high acid fertilizer, especially in the place where you have had amended or mixed the soil to lower the pH enough to grow your blueberries. When you are looking for a high acid blueberry plant fertilizer, and then look for fertilizers that contain ammonium sulfate or sulfur-coated urea. These tend to have a lower pH and higher acid. Also, you need to try using fertilizers that are higher in nitrogen content but be careful you should not use a fertilizer that contains nitrates, such as calcium nitrate or chloride. Using nitrates can kill some blueberry plants.

Blueberry plants are also susceptible to iron and magnesium deficiencies. At the edges of the blueberry plant leaves turn to reddish-yellow color, then this is called a magnesium deficiency. If the leaves of blueberry turn yellow with green veins, then that is called an iron deficiency. You can treat either of these deficiency problems with a nutrient appropriate blueberry fertilizer.

Natural Fertilizers Used For Growing Blueberries at Home

Natural fertilizers are also known as organic fertilizers. You can use a blood meal or fish meal for the blueberry plant to provide nitrogen. Sphagnum peat, peat moss, or coffee grounds can also be used for the blueberry plant. This will help to provide acidity to the plant. You can even use bone meal and powdered seaweed to fertilize blueberries that can provide potassium and phosphorus to the plant.

Before applying any fertilizer to the blueberry, whether it is organic or chemical, it is a better idea to test your soil. Testing the soil may make fertilizing blueberries a little more tedious, it will help to know the pH of the soil and the nutrient mix in the soil is correct or not. Soil testing may help to prevent you from either overdosing or under adjusting when you fertilize your blueberries.

In case if you miss this: Growing Roses Organically.

Pests and Diseases of Blueberry Plants and thier Management

Pests, symptoms, and management are listed below:

Blueberry bud mite

Symptoms – you can observe red scales on buds. The damage of buds may lead to poor growth and yields.

Management – they can be controlled by using an effective pesticide.

Flea beetle

Symptoms – you can observe small holes or pits in leaves and plant growth may be reduced.

Management – mulching the blueberry plant may help to prevent flea beetle.

Japanese beetle

Symptoms – due to Japanese beetle flowers and buds may damage.

Management –using insecticidal soaps or neem oil can help reduce beetle populations.

Sharpnosed leafhopper

Symptoms – you can observe holes in the leaves of the plant.

Management – using appropriate pesticides may reduce the population of this insect.

Thrips

Symptoms – the adult thrips are pale yellow to light brown. due to this leaves curl around the stem.

Management – pruning the affected areas can reduce the population of thrips.

Diseases, symptoms, and management are listed below:

Gray mold

Symptoms – you can observe brown lesions or spots on leaves that come into contact with infected blossoms.

Management – by application of appropriate fungicides can reduce this disease.

Mummy berry

Symptoms – blueberry plants may become symptomless until the fruit development due to this disease.

Management – you need to apply fungicide at the appropriate time.

Powdery mildew

Symptoms – you can able to observe white fluffy growth on the upper surfaces of leaves or lower leaf surface also.

Management – applying fungicide can reduce this disease.

Blueberry shoestring virus

Symptoms – you can observe purple streaks on green stems of the plant.

Management – application of the first dose of fungicide should be done at the correct time.

Stem canker

Symptoms – you can observe the red lesions on green stems that become swollen of the plant.

Management – prune out the infected stem by doing this you can stop the growth of the disease.

Phytophthora root rot

Symptoms – you can observe yellowing the leaves and lack of new growth on the plant.

Management – you need to use suitable soil to prevent this disease.

Harvesting the Blueberries

Blueberries are ready for picking in June and August.

You should not rush to pick the blueberries as soon as they turn to blue color. You need to wait for a couple of days to harvest. When they are ready to harvest, they will fall off right into your hand.

If your blueberry plant is 2-year-old blueberry, they need a start to bearing within a year or two. You need to pick off the flowers that form the first year or second year after planting, to allow the bush to become established. Be aware that depending on a variety of plant full production is only reached after about 6 years.

Commonly Asked Questions about Growing Blueberries At Home

What blueberry bush is best?

High bush blueberry is the best bush for growing at home.

Do blueberries grow well in pots?

Blueberries are a very attractive plant and they grow very well in pots or containers. They just need suitable soil to grow.

What should I look or see for when buying a blueberry bush?

When you buy blueberries bushes, you need to look for berries that are very firm, dry, plump, and smooth-skinned, with a silvery surface bloom and no leaves or stems.

Why does my blueberry bush not fruiting?

The reason may be the lack of new growth. For the new growth, you need to use appropriate fertilizer at the appropriate time.

How many blueberry bushes can I plant?

You can plant two or more than two plants depending on the variety you choose.

What is the best fertilizer for blueberries?

Blueberries grow and respond well in nitrogen-rich fertilizer and you can even add natural or organic fertilizers for better growth and development.

2 COMMENTS

Mitalee February 1, 2021 At 12:13 am

Thanks Jagdish for all the info .I have not been able to procure a Blueberry plant after trying for multiple years . It has been out of stock on Nurserylive since ages and Abonna doesn’t respond and it is also not available in local nurseries. Where can I procure a plant in Hyderabad/ online?

neingutuo December 15, 2022 At 11:58 pm

Where can I get the seed

Growing Blueberries At Home – A Guide For Beginners

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