By Bushel and Berry™
Photographs courtesy of Bushel and Berry
What better way to celebrate National Blueberry Month than to learn blueberry-growing success tips?
Blueberry shrubs are multitaskers in the garden. One plant can produce beautiful flowers for spring, juicy fruit in summer, and breathtaking fall foliage. The era of unattractive, old-fashioned blueberry bushes planted out of sight in the backyard is officially over.
Packed with health benefits, easy to grow and compact patio blueberry shrubs such as those from Bushel and Berry™ are quickly becoming a staple in every garden.
Read these simple tips to keep your fresh blueberries thriving.
Planting
Set yourself up for success by choosing the right variety. Compact, self-pollinating blueberries are perfect for growing in patio pots and directly in the garden.
Be sure to choose a sunny spot to plant your blueberries so that they thrive. Blueberries need at least six hours of sun each day.
Once you have chosen the perfect spot, consider the soil. Blueberries love acidic soils. A pH of 4.5-5.5 is ideal. You can find out the acidity of your soil with a simple soil test and the soil is easily adjusted with amendments. Both soil kits and amendments are available at any local garden center.
Fertilizing is recommended in early and late spring. Ideal fertilizers include rhododendron or azalea formulations, and either granular or liquid fertilizers.
Pruning
There is no need to fear pruning your beautiful blueberry bushes. It will be worth your while. By giving the bush more space between its branches, air will flow freely through the plant, which will help prevent disease.
For blueberries, it's best to prune in early spring when the blueberry plants are dormant. Pruning off dead wood or non-fruiting wood will allow the plant to put its energy into the good canes for maximizing fruit production.
Picking
When the planting and pruning is finished, it is time for the reward of picking your delicious fruit. It won't take long for the birds to discover your tasty blueberries so be sure to watch them carefully and pick the berries when they are ready!
Picking blueberries is always more fun when you have help. Not only is growing blueberries with kids a fun experience, it's also rewarding. Let children reconnect with nature by learning to care for blueberries.
Protecting
Ensure your blueberry bush will thrive for another bountiful season with a little protection. Keep the critters away by covering your blueberry bush with bird netting in the spring. Birds are less likely to eat the fruit when the plants are in containers on the patio.
Blueberries are easy to protect in winter. If your plants are in decorative containers, they are more at risk than plants in the ground. Protect them by moving the containers to an unheated garage. You'll want to keep the soil moist but not soaked.
Following these tips will ensure success with your blueberries season after season.
About Bushel and Berry™
Bushel and Berry™ is a collection of easy to grow, exceptionally beautiful and delicious berry plants for the home garden. With 9 stunning and easy-to-care-for varieties to choose from, Bushel and Berry™ is revolutionizing the way we bring food to the table. Learn more by visiting www.BushelAndBerry.com.
All articles are copyrighted and remain the property of the author.
By Dan Heims, President, Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.
Photographs courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.
Terra Nova’s breeders have created a series of outstanding world-class echinaceas that are consistent in size, bloom power, color intensity and are a pollinator buffet. What’s not to like.
To learn more, click here for an interesting article.
Click here to sign up for our monthly NEWSLETTER packed with great articles and helpful tips for your home, garden and pets!
