Growing Blueberries

Growing blueberries in your home garden can be enjoyable and rewarding. There are so many things you can do with the berries. You can eat them fresh or make hundreds of different deserts.

The plants have a delightful white blossom in late spring. The leaves and glossy and green during the spring and summer months and turn orange, red and brown in the fall. They can be grown individually, in rows or in beds. The dwarf varieties can be grown in containers.

Choosing a Location

Like most plants blueberries need a sunny environment to grow well. Trees are to be avoided due to often causing too much shade. Trees will also compete for nutrients and water in the soil. Further more trees decrease the airflow around the plant. Poor circulation can increase damage to the blossom and can increase the risk of disease. Heavy soil that has poor drainage is also to be avoided. Water sitting on the surface of the soil can damage the roots of the blueberry plant.

Planting

It's a good idea to buy container grown or bare-root plants from a reputable nursery. The best time to plant them is in the late winter or early spring. Leave a space of between 7 and 9 feet between plants. Also plant them no more then 2 inches deeper then they were in the pot you bought them in. Be sure to press the soil down firmly to remove any air pockets. Water thoroughly but do not over water them.

Removing Blossom

When the plant flowers for the first time you should remove the blossom. This is to encourage the plants growth as producing fruit will slow down the development. Patients is important to ensure good fruit production in following years.

Harvesting

The berries will ripen over a 2-5 week period. Don't be to quick to pick them when they first appear ripe. The flavour will improve if left for a few days until they are fully ripe. Roll the berries between your finger and thumb and remove the ripe one. Leave the unripe berries for next time.

They will last for about a week in the refrigerator. You can also freeze them and enjoy the rewards of growing blueberries all year round!