- • Choose a sunny spot. Though blueberries grow in semi-shade in nature, heavier fruiting happens with more sunshine.
- • Test for pH, and adjust to a very acidic 4-to-5 range using Espoma Soil Acidifier.
- • Though blueberries like infertile soil (yes!), it must be high in organic matter.
- • Add peat moss to the hole when planting. We rarely recommend peat moss, which is a non-renewable resource, except for this one-time application.
- • Water well, and provide regular water for maximum fruiting (especially critical the first two years in the ground). Blueberries prefer evenly moist soil.
- • Mulch to a depth of about 3 inches with pine needles, pine mulch or shredded autumn leaves .
- • Net the plants during fruiting season to outsmart the birds.
- • Replenish the mulch each fall, after leaf drop and also feed the plants just a little Nitrogen.
- • Recheck the pH and readjust every couple of years with more Soil Acidifier.
- • Don't prune till highbush plants are four or five years in the ground. Stems aged six years or older–about inch-thick stems–don't produce optimally. In late
- winter, the oldest stems are cut out to the base.
- Pick your blueberries when they pop off the stem easily. Enjoy!
