Blueberries - Key Growing Information

Blueberries; this is a highbush type, also known as New Jersey blueberries.

SCIENTIFIC NAME:

Vaccinium corymbosum

CULTURE:

Blueberries prefer a location in full sun, with moist, acidic soil. Blueberries require an acid soil with a pH of 4.8. A pH of 5.0 or higher is too high! We highly recommend you have your soil tested and amended prior to planting blueberries. Contact your local Cooperative Extension office for information on how to test your soil, or purchase one of the kits offered in our Tools & Supplies section.

PLANTING:

Space plants 4-5' apart. Set plants in 1' by 1' holes and cover the roots up to the natural soil line on the stalk. Newly planted blueberries should not be allowed to fruit for the first 2 years after planting. Remove all flower buds in the spring to encourage root development and plant growth. In the 3rd year, you can leave a few flower clusters on the plants to produce a small crop of fruit. By the 4th year, you can allow the plants to set a full crop of berries.

HARVEST:

Beginning the 2nd or, preferably, 3rd year of growth and continuing for at least a decade.

SPECS:

3 plants per collection.

PLEASE NOTE:

Blueberries are partly self-sterile which means that at least 2 varieties are needed for good cross-pollination. Any combination of varieties will work.