Having a blueberry patch was always a dream when we first moved out here to the country. After years of waiting i can say we finally can pick our blueberries and it has been a REAL treat! Read on to learn more about blueberries!

IN THIS POST YOU WILL LEARN:

How to start a blueberry patch
What kinds of blueberries we planted
Why prunning is a must and patience is key
How to maintain
Why plant blueberries?

HOW TO START A BLUEBERRY PATCH

You only really need 3-4 blueberry plants to start your own patch! There are a few key things you’ll need to ensure before you start

LOCATION: They will need FULL sun! So find a spot that is not shaded and will get plenty of sunlight during the day
Be careful not to plant near tree’s as their shade might make it too shady for the blueberries to thrive.
Make sure they are planted in an area that will drain well.
SOIL: Your soil is very important. When we dug our blueberry holes we made sure to apply fertilizer and necessary nutrients before planting. Read on to learn more on how to fertilize and things blueberries love to stay healthy.
You should plant your patch in mid to early spring

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WHAT KIND SHOULD YOU PLANT

When researching varieties keep in mind how they grow and what temperatures they grow best in. High bush varieties such as Nelson or Jersey tend to grow better in colder climates. Rabbit eye varieties ( meaning they turn pink before they turn blue) Tend to be more popular around the south. Those don’t do as well in cooler temps and frost. Then there’s the Lowbush berries which produce a small sweet fruit and are the preferred varieties for jams, jellies, cobblers, etc.

WE PLANTED-

These varieties were recommended to us by friends who own a blueberry farm nearby. They said they were the best for this area and temperature. Zone 7-9. If you are looking to plant blueberries, research what kinds work best in your area!

Vernon- Rabbiteye variety We got this variety because it blooms late so it avoids being damaged by late frosts which can happen all the time here in Georgia. They are a large fruit and super sweet!

Titan Blue- Rabbiteye variety grow to be very large! Some can be the size of quarters!

Powder Blue- Rabbiteye blueberries that are medium-sized, firm, and full of flavor.

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PRUNNING AND PATIENCE

They say patience is a virtue ad that is definitely something we’ve had to learn here on our homestead. We planted our blueberry bushes 3 years ago and just ate from them this year! Why you ask? Were there not blossoms on them prior? Yes! But ever year, with pain in our hearts, we plucked all the blossoms off. This was done to give the roots time to develop and not waste all of the plants energy the first few years. This means DO NOT harvest any blueberries the first year or two of having the plant. Pinch off any of the white blossomss and wait patiently.

Prunning here refers to picking off the blossoms etc. The actual branches won’t need pruning until the plant is older. More like 2- 3 years old. It’s sad to not have delicious blueberries right away but I promise they will be worth the wait.

Be PATIENT

Blueberries will be ready June-August

HOW TO MAINTAIN

Maintenance has not been too bad. Once established they do pretty well! I would say the main thing is make sure they have water. Especially when you first plant them. They need about 1-2 inches of water per week to stay healthy

Allow the soil to drain but do have mulch or something to help retain some moisture at the roots when first planted.

Blueberries thrive in soil that is acidic. The soil pH should ideally be between 4.0 and 5.0. We use Down to Earth Fertilizer to help fertilize and keep the ph where it needs to be. You only need to fertilize about once a year in the spring.

To purchase CLICK HERE

WHY PLANT BLUEBERRIES

I am no expert but there is a TON of research out there that talks about how amazing blueberries are for your body. They are packed full of anti-oxidants. They can help lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, and they can even help fight cancer. They are basically the bomb!

If you have’t eaten them in a while I say go for it! And grow some too! You will enjoy them so much.