How and When to Transplant Blueberries to Help Rejuvenate Shrubs and Encourage Better Fruiting
Relocating a blueberry bush involves more than a shovel – it requires the right timing and a bit of soil chemistry. Whether you're moving house or rearranging your yard, here’s how and when to transplant blueberries for years of sumptuous flavor
There are so many reasons to plant blueberries in your garden. I put in a berry patch in France to provide food for wild birds when I am not around to fill the feeders. I grow blueberries in San Francisco because organic blueberries are so expensive at the farmers’ market. Some people even grow extras to gift or sell to neighbors Everybody loves blueberries these days, as word spreads of more and more health benefits.They are packed with heart-healthy antioxidants, they support brain function and they aid digestion, they reduce inflammation, and they lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and cancer.
Growing blueberries isn’t difficult as long as you know what they need and are ready and able to provide it. Knowing how and when to transplant blueberries gives you a golden opportunity to revitalize your shrubs and boost their health and vitality. Whether you are moving established shrubs or transplanting container plants, the steps are the same. So don't let transplant shock kill your crop. Follow our guide on how to transplant blueberry bushes the right way.
What Do Blueberry Plants Need?
I think of blueberry plants as hardy, easy-going plants. But that’s because mine are already installed in a situation that meets their needs. If you are just getting started with your blueberry patch, or are relocating your shrubs, you’ll find that their requirements are few, but definitely non-negotiable. Blueberries need a full sun location (at least 6 hours) and well-draining soil. They will not grow in heavy or clay soil. Finally, they must have acidic soil, with a soil pH of 4-5.
It’s also important to consider the buddy system if you are thinking of transplanting blueberry bushes. Most blueberries require a pollination partner (another variety that blooms at the same time) to produce a good crop. If you are moving one bush, make sure its partner is relocated nearby, within around 50 feet (15 m), so the bees can still do their work.
When to Transplant Blueberries
Are you wondering when to move blueberry bushes? Like most shrubs, blueberries are best transplanted while they are dormant. In the US, this timing depends on your USDA hardiness zone. For northern gardeners (USDA zones 3-6), early spring just as the ground thaws is ideal. For those in the south (zones 7-10), late fall or early winter is often better, as it allows roots to settle before the summer heat arrives.
Transplanting blueberry bushes in the summer would be a bad idea. A plant dug out on a balmy July day would not establish very well (or maybe not at all) when replanted. It would require daily, deep watering just to survive. While transplanting during the growing season causes major stress, moving them during dormancy builds in a recovery period. Note that container-based blueberries offer more wiggle room, since their roots aren't being severed. That said, aiming for spring or fall is still the safest bet.
How to Transplant Blueberry Bushes
While moving a shrub might seem like a daunting task, learning how to transplant blueberry bushes is straightforward if you break it down into 3 phases: preparation, extraction, and installation. The key is to move quickly and gently. By having your new site ready before you touch your shovel, you minimize the amount of time the roots are exposed to the air, which is the best way to prevent transplant shock. Grab your flat-head spade, and follow these steps to give your shrub a seamless move.
1. Prepare the Site
Before you bring out the shovel, you need to pick your new planting site. Test the soil pH to be sure it’s in the acidic sweet spot. Use a home-test kit or a Luster Leaf Rapitest Soil pH Meter from Amazon.
If your soil isn't acidic enough, you can mix in some peat moss or elemental sulfur, or a product like Down to Earth Organic Sulfur Acidifier from Amazon. Verify the location gets at least 6 hours of direct sun a day. Dig out any weeds and loosen the soil to a depth of 12 inches (30 cm).
2. Prepare the Plant
The next step is to dig out the blueberry plant. Blueberries have fine, shallow feeder roots that sit close to the surface. To protect them, use a flat-head shovel like the Fiskars D-Handle Square Shovel from Amazon. Place 12 inches (30 cm) away from the main stem and dig straight down into the soil. A foot deep is fine, given these shallow roots.
Continue until the cut surrounds the plant. You want to keep as much of the original root ball and soil intact as possible. Slide the shovel under the roots and lift gently. If you are using a container-grown plant, simply tip it out, using a garden knife to loosen the edges if it's root-bound.
3. Plant the Shrub
Replant immediately to prevent the roots from drying out, and give it the best chance to establish quickly. Dig a planting hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper than the plant was originally sitting. Set the plant’s roots in the hole, backfill with soil, and firm down gently. Cover the soil with an acidic mulch like pine needles or pine bark. This mimics the acidic forest floor where blueberries naturally thrive.
The next step is vital: water the blueberry shrub well immediately after transplanting. Prevent transplant shock by watering every day for the next few days, then watering regularly. The goal is to keep the top of the soil moist. Remember, the root system is not deep, and shallow roots dry out more easily. These plants need an inch of water (2.5cm) every week, sometimes more.
What Happens After Transplanting
The first few weeks after a move are the most critical for a blueberry bush. Immediately after transplanting, the plant’s primary goal is to re-establish its delicate root system. You may notice some slight drooping or pouty leaves. To help it bounce back, focus entirely on hydration. Water the base of the plant daily for the first 2 weeks, aiming for consistently moist but not soggy soil. Resist the urge to fertilize right away, as fresh salts can burn recovering roots.
Give your blueberry a little TLC to help it recover. Mulching blueberries at this time is a good idea. Spread a layer, 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) thick, around the base. Use pine needles or a pine-based mulch. You can buy Natural Pine Bark Mulch Nuggets from Amazon. It keeps roots cozy, retains water, and lowers the soil pH into the 4.5-5.5 range. Keep the mulch a few inches away from the stems to prevent rot.
Between 1-3 months later, your blueberry bush should show signs of life, such as new leaf buds or greening stems. At this stage, you can transition to a weekly deep watering schedule, aiming for an inch (2.5 cm) of water per week. A light application of an acid-loving fertilizer can be applied once you see active new growth. Use a product meant for blueberries, like Down to Earth Acid Mix from Amazon.
If your bush tries to produce flowers in its first year after moving, pinch them off. This feels heartbreaking, but it forces the plant to pour its energy into roots rather than fruit, ensuring a bigger harvest next year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move a blueberry bush while it’s fruiting?
It is best to avoid transplanting while the plant is focusing its energy on fruit. Moving a bush mid-summer causes extreme stress, and you will likely lose the current crop and potentially the plant itself. If you must move it during the growing season, prune back any berries and flowers immediately, so the plant can prioritize root survival over fruit production.
How deep do I need to dig when moving blueberries?
Blueberry roots are shallow, with most of the root system living in the top 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) of soil. However, they spread out wide. So instead of digging a deep, narrow hole, focus on digging a wide circle around the base of the plant. Aim for 12 inches (30 cm) out from the branches to preserve as many of those horizontal feeder roots as possible.
Will my blueberries produce fruit the same year they are moved?
While a healthy bush might try to produce berries shortly after a move, it is best to discourage this. By pinching off the blossoms in the first year after transplanting, you ensure the plant’s energy goes into establishing a robust root system. This patience pays off, as it usually leads to a far more vigorous and productive harvest the following year.
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