Care & Feeding of a Blueberry Plant

Blueberry plants thrive with a little bit of care.

Blueberry plants are attractive, easy to grow and don't require a large amount of space. With a little bit of care, they thrive and produce healthy fruit for many years. Blueberry plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil.

Watering

Blueberry plants grow best in a moist but not soggy soil. They have shallow root systems, so they are sensitive to fluctuations in water amounts. They need 1 to 2 inches of water per week, according to the Ohio State University Extension.

Pruning

For the first three years, blueberry bushes don't usually need pruning. During the fourth year, prune dormant plants in mid-March by removing weak and dead branches as well as thin wood with small buds. In later years, thin out older branches to stimulate new growth.

Fertilizing

Fertilizer is applied in the early spring when growth starts. Excessive amounts of fertilizer can cause death or damage to the plant, so use soil test results as a guide for fertilization. Avoid fertilizers containing nitrates, because these substances might damage blueberries.

References

• National Gardening Association: Blueberry Plant Care Guide
• Ohio State University Fact Sheet: Growing Blueberries in the Home Garden

Resources

• eXtension: Blueberry Fertilization
• Virginia Cooperative Extension: Specialty Crop Profile -- Blueberries