Research has shown that blueberries are one of the best antioxidants that nature provides us with . fortuitously , the plants are easy to grow and they will total a touch of sweetheart to the garden .
The works produce five to eight foot marvelous . blueberry bush have shallow root systems . The small white flowers in spring yield a crop of blueberry that can be picked in summertime to early fall .
Planting Blueberries
When planting blueberry , prefer a web site that bid quite a little of sun . They will tolerate some shade , but prefer full Dominicus . The plants prefer acidulous soil that is plentiful in organic thing . The plants grow advantageously when the soil has a pH of 4.0 to 4.5 . In most casing , you will have to add garden sulfur or Al sulfur to lower the pH of the grease . However , it is a good idea to have the soil tested before making any adjustments . If adjustments in pH are needed , it is best to make them a year before planting blueberries .
Blueberries should be embed in tardy leap when all peril of rime is retiring . It is up to you to settle whether you want to implant them in private mess or in a bed . In many situations it can be easier to ready a whole seam for the plants .
When gear up the soil , be generous with the amount of peat moss or constitutive compost that you sum up . Peat moss will help increase the soil acidity .
When choosing plants , you might require to regard planting a couple of varieties for better pollenation . Some varieties are self - pollinating , but you should plant a minimum of two plants . This yield a braggart harvest of yield .
Space the plants six to eight substructure apart . engraft the blueberries as deeply in the soil as they were when you purchase them . You should be able to see a soil line on the main trunk . Be certain to firm backpack the soil around the roots . Water well . Newly planted blueberries require more water than adult plants . Do n’t let them dry out out . blueberry bush plants should not be fecundate during their first year of growth because the roots . After that , employ ammonium ion sulfate to feed the soil . If you’re able to not find that , you’re able to use fertilizer made for blistering loving plants such as azaleas .
It is good to remove all heyday from the bushes during the first two years of outgrowth . This allows the industrial plant to maturate bigger and sturdier . efflorescence can be left on the third year , but the harvest will be small .
The bushes should be dress at the showtime of the quaternary class . Remove dead leg and ones that tend to grow across others branch . endeavor to open up the center of the George Herbert Walker Bush so that the interior gets more calorie-free .
Blueberry Pests and Diseases
Birds are a blueberry plants ’ worst nightmare . They have intercourse the plump Charles Edward Berry and will quickly devour all a flora has to declare oneself . One curative for the skirt blight is to wrap up the blueberry bush bushes with netting , which can be find in garden and computer hardware stores .
Insects that can damage plants include the blueberry wind borer and cherry tree and cranberry fruit worm . plow the pests with commercial-grade sprays from the garden stock .
Blueberry plants are susceptible to fungous diseases such as powdery mildew . The upright matter is to plant repellent change . Clean up any morbid branches and leaves that may fall to the ground . There are commercial-grade antifungal available if the problem is bad .
The blueberry bush harvesting starts in mid - July and can go forward until former September . The berries are right when they turn blue . There is no motive to hasten to harvest Berry . They will hold on the bush for several days after mature .
Want to more about growing blueberries?
This article onHome Fruit Production of Blueberries(PDF ) explains sound ways to produce blueberries at household and even how to employ blueberry bushes as part of landscape gardening .
Organic Gardening Magazine ’s article onBlueberriesprovides helpful gratuity and advice on growing blueberry and on which varieties of blueberries are the best for you .
Mother Earth News provides and clause aboutGrowing Blueberriesthat talk over which varieties grow best in dissimilar part of the country .
