How to Transplant a Mature Blueberry Bush
Blueberries mature fully in July, but wait until fall to transplant a mature blueberry bush. During fall, the leaves drop off the bush and the plant begins a dormant stage that lasts until the middle of March. Blueberry bushes produce fresh fruits that will continue to grow for decades. Before transplanting a blueberry bush, choose an appropriate location to ensure that the bush continues to grow and produce delicious berries. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Locate a site to plant the transplanted blueberry bush. The new location needs to receive 6 to 8 hours of sunlight a day. Select a location where it will not compete with other plants for sunlight or nutrients.
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Test the soil pH in the new planting location. Blueberry bushes need a pH level between 4 and 5. Reduce the soil pH by mixing 5 to 6 inches of acid peat moss into the topsoil.
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Dig around the base of the blueberry bush until you locate the roots, taking care not to cut the roots. Start digging a foot away from the bush and move inwards toward the bush to locate the roots. Dig a small trench around the bush near the root edges.
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Insert the shovel under the soil between the blueberry bush and the trench. Lift the soil and continue to move the shovel around the trench to loosen the roots from the soil. Place the shovel under the roots and lift the blueberry bush out from the soil.
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Dig a hole in the new planting location the same size as the blueberry plant's root ball. Place the blueberry bush into the hole, and pack in back soil around the bush. Compact the soil before watering.
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Water the bush into its new location. Soak the area every 2 to 3 days, and let the soil dry between each watering. Do not over-water the blueberry bush.
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Tips & Warnings
Add mulch to the blueberry bush to retain moisture.
Use rainwater to water the bushes. Tap water increases the pH level in the soil.
References
- Photo Credit blueberry image by Lucy Cherniak from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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I have new bushes coming up from the main blueberry bush. Can I cut these off and transplant them without huting my existing bush? If so, when is the best time of year to do it? I live in the Ozark region of Missouri.
