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Planting
Blueberries like soil rich in organic material such as peat - very acid,
but extremely well drained. For both drainage and acidification, add large amounts of peat
moss or other organic material to the planting soil, up to 3 quarters peat moss by volume
for soils that tend to be heavy. Never add manure, it is alkaline. Dig a planting hole
somewhat broader and deeper than the roots of the young plant. Never cramp the roots into
a small hole, but spread the roots in the hole. Set blueberry plants about 4' apart. Chose
two varieties for cross-pollination.
Fertlizing
Do not feed plants the first year. In succeeding
years use cottonseed meal, ammonium sulfate or any product suitable for azaleas and
rhododendrons like Miracid.
Care
Blueberries require constant light moisture in the
soil, and cultivating damages their shallow roots. For both these reasons, you should
mulch these plants heavily.
Pruning
Blueberries, currants and gooseberries need some
annual pruning. Blueberries are borne on buds of last year’s wood so light pruning is
done to remove older and weaker wood. Clean up bushes by removing the oldest shoots (four
years or older) in winter, thinning out the new growth and cutting out dead wood. If
berries are very small one year, thin the following winter.
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