However, growing blueberry plants in gardens and on farms is a relatively recent occurrence, since breeding and propagation of blueberry plants did not begin until early in the 20th century. Read more about Blueberries. Have your soil tested to determine its pH and fertility status. Healthy two- or three-year-old plants from a reputable nursery generally perform best. Remove the newspaper. Facebook 0 Tweet 0 Pin 0 Email 0. When to Plant Blueberries. Information in this publication is provided purely for educational purposes. This will provide the best protection of the fruit and prolong the usable life of the netting. Pick the berries only when they are fully ripe, generally one to three days after they turn blue. This is the larva of a small fly that feeds inside the developing fruit. The emerging seedlings are very tiny. Coarse sawdust, woodchips, shavings, bark, pine needles, or composted leaves can be used as mulching materials. Lowbush blueberry plants, also known as "Maine blueberries", vary in height and form and are comprised of 3 principal species: Vaccinium: angustifolium, pallidum, and myrtilloides. Some varieties can grow in zone 2 or in zone 7. VIDEO: Site Selection: How to Grow Blueberries (YouTube). Heavy clay soils should be avoided, but may be made more suitable for blueberries with the addition of organic matter such as peat moss, rotted or aged sawdust, and/or compost. Growing blueberry plants in your garden can be rewarding. Cooperative Extension: Maine Wild Blueberries, 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Bryant Pond, 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Greenland Point, 4-H Camp & Learning Centers at Tanglewood & Blueberry Cove, Insect Pests, Plant Diseases & Pesticide Safety, Affiliated Programs, Partners & Resources, Non-Discrimination Statement & Disability Resources, Register for Workshops, Classes, & Events. Soils with a higher pH may require additions of finely ground sulfur or aluminum sulfate to lower the pH. The plants should be watered regularly throughout the growing season. Plastic or cloth netting is available through garden supply dealers. Be sure there is no tinge of red color on the fruit before harvesting. The most common disease problem for blueberries is mummy berry. 10-10-10) or one ounce of ammonium sulfate around each plant. Younger plants, such as one-year-old rooted cuttings, tend to grow very slowly for the first two years and take longer to bear large crops of fruit. Blueberry canes tend to be less productive once they are more than six years old and should be pruned out in favor of younger, more productive canes. No responsibility is assumed for any problems associated with the use of products or services mentioned. The plants can then be set out in prepared rows, vacant areas in fields or as an ornamental ground cover plant for home landscaping. A small amount of seed will start quite a few seedlings. Yes! Once they begin emerging, place flat in a sunny window or greenhouse. Remove the netting as soon as all harvesting is complete, and store it in a cool, dry place. It is important not to make this covering thick. Weeds compete with blueberries for nutrients and water, and may also harbor insects and diseases. This article was last updated on 09/14/20. Remove any weak fruiting branches on the remaining canes, especially those less than six inches in length. Use the same amount the year after planting. Pot each seedling in two inches to three inches of peat or plastic pots using a mixture of 1/3 peat, 1/3 sand, and 1/3 soil. Space the plants five to seven feet apart in rows eight to ten feet apart. Keep your planting free of weeds. Unlike many other garden crops, blueberries require relatively acid soil for good growth. Plant blueberries in the early spring. Water the plants thoroughly immediately after planting. For the first two years after planting, simply remove any dead branches and all weak, spindly growth. Prune out any weak, low-growing or diseased canes. Because of Maine’s cold winter temperatures and short growing season, you should select blueberry varieties that are described as very hardy and that ripen early or midseason (Table 1). Plus, if you live in an area without acidic soil, growing blueberries in containers allows you to tailor the soil pH specifically for them. New canes may sprout from these stubs. It is usually best to plant more than one variety. In far-flung fields and barrens, Maine’s official state fruit sits ripening in the sun, awaiting the rake. Water well and keep seedlings in a sunny location. Covering the plants with netting is the most effective control. Blueberries prefer a well-drained, sandy loam soil, rich in organic matter. Most fruit is produced on vigorous one-year-old shoots on healthy two- to five-year-old canes. The fruit buds on these shoots are large and teardrop-shaped. No responsibility is assumed for any problems associated with the use of products or services mentioned. Leave a few flower clusters on the plants to produce a small crop of fruit in the third year, and plants may be allowed to set a full crop four or five years after planting. Seed should germinate in about one month. University of Maine, 5741 Libby Hall, Room 103, 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Bryant Pond, 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Greenland Point, 4-H Camp & Learning Centers at Tanglewood & Blueberry Cove, Insect Pests, Plant Diseases & Pesticide Safety, Affiliated Programs, Partners & Resources, Non-Discrimination Statement & Disability Resources, Register for Workshops, Classes, & Events, Table 1. Fertilizer can be applied once in the early spring or, for best results, split the application, and apply one half of the recommended rate in the early spring and the other half four to six weeks later. The shoots also have smaller, pointed vegetative buds that will produce leaves (Figure 1). After planting, apply a four- to a six-inch layer of mulch around the base of the plants to conserve soil moisture and reduce weed growth. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Sarah E. Harebo, Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System). A new layer of mulch should be applied when the old layer starts to break down. Blend the removed soil with premoistened peat moss, compost, or rotted sawdust in a 1:1 ratio. Dig a planting hole about two times the diameter of the plant root ball. For information about UMaine Extension programs and resources, visit extension.umaine.edu. Blueberry bushes should be pruned every year to produce high yields of good quality fruit. Prune the plants when they are fully dormant during the late winter or early spring (January through March). Sandy soils require only half these amounts to accomplish the same pH change. Find more of our publications and books at extensionpubs.umext.maine.edu. Remove all flower clusters in the spring to encourage root development and vegetative growth.