Growing Blueberry Bushes In The Home Garden

Blueberries have been in health news a lot lately. Packed with antioxidants and tasty as well, many gardeners are wondering about growing blueberry bushes in their own garden. Planting blueberry bushes in your garden is possible with a little preparation.

What Does a Blueberry Bush Look Like?

While these are popular fruits, many people are unsure as to what a blueberry bush looks like. It looks like a typical shrub with shiny, oval-shaped, green leaves. The height can vary, depending on the variety, from a few feet tall to 12 (3.5 m.) or more feet tall. They, of course, have the tell-tale, blue berries.

Tips for Planting Blueberry Bushes

The most important thing to remember when growing blueberry plants is that they need a very low pH balance to grow well. Most home gardeners will need to prepare special, high acid soil in order to provide the proper blueberry plant care. 

The problem with this is that the acid in the soil can quickly leach away, leaving the blueberry bushes without enough and harming nearby plants with too much. For care of blueberry bushes, you may want to consider growing blueberry bushes in containers, or at the very least, in tubs buried in the ground. This will provide containment for the high acid soil the blueberry plants need. 

Another factor to consider when planting blueberry bushes is the length of time it takes for them to grow to fruiting age. How long does it take a blueberry to grow big enough to produce fruit? It can take three to four years before they will produce fruit. 

Blueberries also produce better if they are cross-pollinated. This means that growing blueberry bushes of different varieties will help with their production. Before growing blueberry plants, you need to choose a type of blueberry to grow. There are three basic varieties:

• Northern highbush
• Rabbiteye
• Southern highbush

Each is suited for different climates and you should research which is best for your climate. Once you know the type you can grow, there are dozens of varieties to choose from. 

Many people also wonder when do you plant blueberry bushes. The right time for planting blueberry bushes is early to mid-spring. Some final notes on proper care of blueberry bushes. Remember that they need full sun to do well. 

They also need consistent watering to fruit well. For good blueberry plant care, you may also want to consider pruning your bushes as needed. Growing blueberry plants in your garden can be rewarding. 

With a little tender, loving blueberry plant care, you can be serving your very own homegrown blueberries in no time.