Blueberries are a wonderful addition to any organic garden. They are
relatively pest and disease free and, given the right conditions, they
will thrive with very little pampering, which is music to any organic
gardener's ears. Here are some tips for getting the low-maintenance
blueberry patch of your dreams.
Grow Varieties That Are Well-Suited to Your Area and Your Needs
Blueberries can be grown as far North as USDA Zone 3 (Parts of the
Northern US and Canada) and as far South as Zone 10 (Miami!, so
gardeners in almost any climate can enjoy them. However, it is important
to select a variety that can grow in your climate zone: the same
blueberry plants that thrive in Maine will probably not fare well in
Georgia. In general, organic gardeners in the Northern US should grow
Northern Highbush varieties and Southerners (Zone 6 or warmer) should
grow rabbiteye or Southern Highbush types. Gardeners in zones 6 or 7
(the Mid-Atlantic, North Carolina and parts of California and the
Pacific Northwest) can grow both types.
Buy Healthy Plants
The plants you buy should be free of pests and disease, and should not
appear drought-stressed. Blueberry plants may be sold as either
container plants (in pots) or bare root. Both types of plants can be
very healthy but container plants generally establish more easily than
bare root plants. So, if you have a nearby source for healthy
container-grown plants, take advantage of it. However, for the sake of
convenience (and of avoiding shipping charges that are greater than the
national debt), most blueberries are sold as bare root plants. If you
buy bare root plants, just make sure that their roots have been kept
moist and that they have not been stored in direct sunlight or excessive
heat. If they meet with your approval, plant them right away.
Don't Buy Plants That Are Too Old or Too Young.
Two or three-year old plants are the best ones to buy. Plants that are
any younger than two or older than three are more likely to suffer from
water stress during their first growing season and will require a lot of
extra TLC on your part.
Select a Good Planting Site and Get It Ready for Your Organic
Blueberries
Blueberries will be relatively weed, pest and trouble free if they have
the right growing conditions. Mainly, all that they ask is to be grown
is acidic, well-drained soil. They can tolerate heat, cold and part
shade, but they really dislike poorly drained soil or soils with a pH
above 5.5. So, in order to make your blueberries happy, you may have to
reduce you soil's pH (this can be done organically by using peat moss,
pine straw or sulfur) and/or build raised beds for them if you don't
have a dry spot to plant them in.
Give Your Plants the Care They Need to Establish Correctly
The first season after planting is critical for your blueberry plants.
Their yields can be reduced for years to come if they don't get off on
the right foot (or root!). Good care starts before you even put them
into the ground: make sure to score the root ball of any container-bound
plants (the ones whose roots go around and around in circles inside a
too-small container) so that they will be able to stop growing in
circles.
Pruning your new plants will help them to get established. Prune half to
two-thirds of the plant's shoots, leaving only a few (3-4) strong,
healthy shoots for the plant to dedicate its energy to. Make sure to
remove any buds or fruits that develop during the plant's first year or
two--yes, it takes a lot of will power, but you will be rewarded with
bigger, higher-yielding plants in the long run.
Most importantly, keep your new plants watered so that their delicate
new root systems stay moist. Water them with a hose if you need to, or
install a drip or microsprinkler irrigation system for them. Remember
that watering them occasionally (not more than once every two days) and
thoroughly is much healthier for them than watering them lightly and
frequently.
Give your blueberry plants a good start in life, and they will reward
you with pounds and pounds of blueberries, beautiful fall foliage and
the thrill of your own "Blueberry Hill".
For More Information:
This wikipedia site has lots of facts about the history of blueberry
cultivation in various parts of the world.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blueberries
Finch Nursery Grows and Sells Many Varieties of Quality Blueberry Plants
http://www.danfinch.com/berrys2.htm
NC Cooperative Extension's wonderful guide to growing blueberries in the
home garden.
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-8207.html
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