Growing blueberry bushes is an excellent way to get fresh, homegrown fruit, and blueberries are both tasty and healthy. How can you plant blueberries?
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Planting these hardy plants in pots or directly in the ground opens up a world of possibilities for gardens of all sizes. Below is a comprehensive guide to growing blueberries, with proper timing, recommended locations, and techniques for a bountiful harvest.
Planting blueberries – tips
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The modern blueberry was not invented until the twentieth century. Until the 1900s, this North American plant could only be enjoyed in its natural habitat. Then, to our delight, researchers began to unravel the secrets of blueberry cultivation.
Blueberry bushes, related to azaleas and rhododendrons, not only provide delicious berries, but also make a beautiful addition to any garden with their red fall foliage and creamy white, bell-shaped spring blooms. Blueberries are also packed with beneficial polyphenols, minerals and important elements, making them a natural superfood.
The optimal time for sowing blueberry bushes
When planting blueberry bushes, wait until the soil is cool and moist, which is fall or early spring (March – April). This allows the shrub to take root before the hot summer months arrive. When planting in the fall, it is important that the shrub has time to establish itself before the first frost.
Which soil and which location for blueberries?
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Blueberries thrive in full sun and shelter from the wind, so you should carefully choose the right location in your garden. Soils with a pH of 4.0 to 5.0 are ideal for them. You can either plant in a pot of soil-based compost or enrich your soil with sulfur if it is not naturally acidic.
Also, make sure to choose a planting site that is rich in organic matter and has good drainage. Blueberries do not thrive in clay or compacted soil, nor do they tolerate wet soil. The fertility and structure of the soil can be improved by adding compost or well-rotted manure.
Pay attention to the distance
Plant your blueberries about 1.5m to 2m apart and your blueberry hedge about 1m to 1.5m apart.
In adverse weather conditions, such as when the ground is too wet or frozen to plant, you should keep the shrubs in their containers in a sheltered location until the soil improves.
How to plant blueberries?
Dig the soil carefully before planting. Water the roots for at least an hour and a half. Make sure the top of the root ball is either flush with the soil or up to 1cm lower than the surrounding soil, then remove the container and plant while digging a hole large enough (40 – 60cm depth and 80 cm wide) is to accommodate the root ball. Compact the soil around the root ball before completely watering it.
Grow blueberry bushes in pots
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Another advantage of blueberry bushes is that they are well suited to growing in pots. These decorative delights are perfect for urban areas or patios with limited space. Make sure the container has drainage holes and choose a wide container with a depth of at least 50 cm. Start your blueberry plants in a pot that is 8-12 inches in diameter and then transplant them into a larger pot every two years.
Also interesting: Fast-growing, easy-care perennials: These species will transform your garden into a work of art!
irrigation
To prevent the blueberries from drying out, they should be kept moist (not flooded) during the growing season. More frequent watering, even daily in very hot weather, is particularly necessary for potted plants. In times of drought, it is recommended to use rainwater from a rain barrel instead of tap water. In places with hard water, the tap water is often too acidic.
Prune the bushes
Blueberries do not need to be cut in the first few years of growth. When pruning in subsequent years, you should remove 20% (or one-fifth) of the bush each winter, cutting off weaker branches to make room for stronger new growth and older branches that might break under the weight of the crop , cut off.
Mulch the blueberries
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When planting blueberries in spring or fall, cover the soil with a 3- to 3-inch layer of organic material that is either acidic or neutral. This can be composted sawdust, pine bark or pine needles. This retains moisture and helps maintain soil acidity.
Also read: Fertilizing blueberries: When is the right time and which natural remedies are suitable