O'Neal Blueberry Bush

Blueberry bushes will grow the best if you plant them in a sunny spot in your yard with decent airflow. Ideally, this location would be able to provide 8+ hours of direct sunlight per day. It’s no secret that blueberries prefer acidic soils. One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is with an actively decomposing soil mix that contains compost and fine mulch.

Blueberries can be planted in the ground or containers so long as they get full sun, good airflow, and maintain a soil pH of 4.5-5.5 ph. When growing in the ground prep a 24” diameter hole that is at least 12” deep and amend with compost, peat moss, and premium potting mix designed for acid-loving plants. This soil mix will ensure optimal moisture and promote soil health by attracting beneficial bugs and fungi. It is important that you do not mix fertilizers in the planting hole or when backfilling your blueberries.

When planting blueberries in pots, use a potting mix that is well-draining, high in organic matter, and try to avoid terra cotta pots as they tend to pull water away from the plant. Blueberries can be planted very close together and it is highly recommended that you have at least 2 different varieties planted together to increase pollination.

The amount you water will heavily depend on your climate but keeping your soil consistently moist is a must. A weekly watering at a minimum should keep your shrubs adequately moist but do hold off for a few days if it rains. Blueberries require more water than the average garden plant but with regular watering and mulching, you will be growing delectable blueberries in no time. When watering, avoid watering the foliage as this can encourage the development of fungal diseases.

Blueberry plants are sensitive to over-fertilizing. We offer a product called G&B Organics Blueberry, Azalea & Camellia Fertilizer (4-5-2) that works well for blueberry plants in pots or in the ground. Start feeding in early spring and feed regularly throughout the growing season as per instructions. Acid fertilizers for camelias, rhododendron and azaleas also work well for blueberry plants but be careful not to overdo it and harm your plant as they are not heavy feeders.

Pruning blueberry plants is simple, but there are a few tricks to improve both fruit size and quality. Start in the winter with the basics. Begin by removing dead wood, or twiggy non-vigorous wood that has lost all color. Then, remove damaged or broken wood and limbs with sunburn or bug damage. Finally, remove diseased wood which is usually blotchy colored growth on the canes or leaves. Look for places that may act as a way in for pests or diseases and remove them.

Once you have cleaned the plant of the dead, damaged, and diseased wood, prune for shape by leaving around 5 healthy canes per bush and bringing them down to 2-3 ft in the winter. Remove low growth around the base. If it doesn't grow up, prune it out.