subject: Is It True That Blueberries Cannot Grow In The Home Garden? [print this page] Many people have the false impression that blueberries can't be grown in the home garden. Since the high-bush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum, is commonly found growing in low, swampy places, gardeners believe it thrives best in such locations. Actually, the blueberry is more tolerant of these conditions than many other plants and in these places has less competition from other vegetation. Taken from the swamp and planted in a fertile soil, it will thrive much better.
Soil plays an important part in the culture of blueberries. They like a good water supply in a fertile soil that is well-drained and aerated. The soil should also have plenty of organic matter, and above all it should be acid-blueberries grow best in a pH range of 4.5 to 5.0.
The fact that blueberries like such an acid soil might seem to create a problem to gardeners whose soil is more alkaline. But this can easily be overcome by incorporating acid organic matter into the soil around the roots of the plants. Woodland turf, fallen oak leaves or peatmoss (about a bushel per plant worked in at planting time) should do the trick.
Although plants may be set out successfully in the fall, spring planting is usually preferred. The plants are ordinarily set about 5 feet apart, and when in rows, the rows should be 8 feet apart. The plants are sold in two different ways, either by size in inches, or age.
When sold by age, two-year-old plants are best for home use; if sold by height, purchase plants that are 12 to 18 inches tall. The holes for the plants should be dug large enough so the roots can be placed without crowding, and deep enough so that about an inch of the stem is below the soil level. Blueberry varieties are nearly self-unfruitful under some conditions, so it is best to plant at least two varieties.
The young plants will get a better start if a little fertilizer is used the year they are set out. After the plants become established, as indicated by the start of new growth, ounce of complete fertilizer may be scattered in a ring just outside the limits of the root ball. The next year and each year thereafter, through the fifth year, the amount given the preceding year may be doubled. Mulching blueberries has also proven satisfactory. This makes cultivation unnecessary and also adds organic matter to the soil. In all blueberry fertilization it is best to add material that will leave an acid residue.
