Blueberry Bushes

 

Blueberries are self-pollinating, but planting more than one will increase your yields.  Early, mid and late season blueberries will pollinate each other as their bloom time overlaps.  Varying types produces a longer harvest season.

Pruning: First 3 to 5 years remove only damaged, dead, or less vigorous branches.  Five years and older, remove one-third of oldest wood each year in early spring before leaf out.

Fertilize with an organic fertilizer such as Holly Tone in spring and fall.

Common Varieties include:

Early Season

Duke – 3 feet tall and wide

Patriot – Hardy, vigorous 4 to 6 feet tall, huge berries, excellent flavor, Zone 3 to 7

Mid-Season

Blue Crop – Hardy vigorous 4 to 6 feet tall, excellent flavor, Zone 4 to 7

Blueray – Large berries, nice fall color, 4 to 6 feet tall

Late Season

Chandler – Large berries, vigorous, 5 to 6 feet, Zone 5 to 8

If you become serious about harvesting blueberries for yourself and not the birds, you must keep birds away.  Netting works great, but for best results most people build a structure and lay the net on the structure, not the plant since the birds can peck through the net.  Look online for inspiration!