If you've ever searched for information about growing blueberries, you've probably seen a lot about soil pH, soil amendments, special fertilizers, pruning, chill hours, and different varieties.
It can make growing blueberries sound much more complicated than it really needs to be.
I have six blueberry bushes, and every summer they give me more blueberries than we can eat fresh. I make blueberry jam and jelly, bake with them, and still put several bags in the freezer.
And I really don't fuss over my bushes very much.
I planted them, keep them watered when they need it, fertilize them in the spring, and let them grow.
QUICK GROWING GUIDE
Sun: Full sun for the best harvest
Plant: Fall or early spring
Spacing: Usually about 4–6 feet apart, depending on variety
Water: Keep watered while establishing and during dry weather
Soil: Well-drained and acidic
Fertilizer: Feed in spring with fertilizer for acid-loving plants
Pollination: Many varieties will fruit alone, but another compatible variety can improve production
Harvest: When berries are completely blue and come off easily
Difficulty: Easy once established
CHOOSING BLUEBERRY BUSHES
The easiest way to start is with a healthy blueberry bush from a nursery or garden center.
The most important thing is to choose a variety that grows well in your climate.
You may see blueberries described as rabbiteye, southern highbush, northern highbush, or lowbush. Don't let all those names overwhelm you.
If you're buying locally, your garden center will often carry varieties suited to your area. You can also check the plant tag to see which growing regions are recommended.
If you have room, I would plant more than one bush.
Some blueberry varieties are self-fertile, but many produce a better crop when another compatible variety blooms nearby.
And honestly, once you start picking fresh blueberries, you're probably not going to complain about having too many bushes.
WHERE TO PLANT BLUEBERRIES
Blueberries produce best in full sun, so look for a location that receives at least 6–8 hours of sunlight.
They also don't like sitting in soggy ground.
Choose a spot where water drains away reasonably well after a heavy rain.
Give the bushes some room to grow. About 4–6 feet apart works for many backyard varieties, although it's always a good idea to check the mature size on the plant tag.
YES, BLUEBERRIES LIKE ACIDIC SOIL
This is the one place where I wouldn't completely ignore pH.
Blueberries really do prefer acidic soil.
But I also don't think a beginning gardener needs to become a soil scientist before planting one.
I've planted my blueberry bushes, fertilized them in the spring, and they've produced beautifully without me constantly testing and adjusting the soil.
If blueberries commonly grow well in your area, you may already have conditions they'll tolerate.
If your bush isn't growing well, the leaves are turning yellow, or it isn't producing like you think it should, then checking the soil pH is a good troubleshooting step.
Blueberries generally prefer soil around pH 4.5–5.5.
So yes, pH matters with blueberries.
Do you need to obsess over it before you even plant the bush? I don't think so.
HOW TO PLANT A BLUEBERRY BUSH
Dig a hole wider than the root ball but not extremely deep.
Remove the plant from its container and gently loosen any tightly packed roots.
Set the bush into the hole at approximately the same depth it was growing in its container, fill the soil back around it, and water thoroughly.
Adding a layer of mulch around the bush can help hold moisture, keep weeds down, and protect those shallow blueberry roots.
Just don't pile mulch directly against the stem.
WATERING BLUEBERRIES
Blueberry bushes have fairly shallow roots, so don't let a newly planted bush completely dry out.
Keep it watered while it gets established.
Once my bushes are established, I pay more attention to the weather than to a strict watering schedule.
If we're getting rain, I leave them alone.
If we're going through a long hot, dry stretch, I water them.
Consistent moisture is particularly important while the berries are developing.
FERTILIZING BLUEBERRIES
This is another area where I keep things simple.
I fertilize my blueberry bushes in the spring.
Look for a fertilizer labeled for blueberries or acid-loving plants and follow the package directions.
You don't need to keep throwing fertilizer at them all summer.
More fertilizer doesn't automatically mean more blueberries, and too much can actually damage the plants.
For me, a spring feeding has worked well.
DO BLUEBERRY BUSHES NEED PRUNING?
Young blueberry bushes generally don't need a lot of pruning.
Remove anything that's dead, damaged, or obviously unhealthy and let the young bush concentrate on getting established.
As an older bush becomes crowded, you can remove some of the oldest canes to make room for healthy new growth.
But don't feel like you need to become an expert at blueberry pruning before buying your first plant.
You don't.
If the bush is young and healthy, sometimes the best thing you can do is leave it alone.
MY BLUEBERRY BUSH IS FLOWERING—NOW WHAT?
Those little bell-shaped blueberry flowers are what eventually become your berries.
And the bees are doing important work.
Having more than one compatible blueberry variety can improve pollination and potentially give you a better harvest.
Once the flowers disappear, you'll begin seeing tiny green berries.
Then comes the hard part:
Waiting for them to turn blue.
SOMETHING ELSE LOVES BLUEBERRIES
Birds.
Sometimes I think they know the blueberries are ripe before I do.
If birds aren't bothering your crop, don't worry about it.
If they're eating most of your berries before you can pick them, you may need to cover the bushes with bird netting as the berries begin ripening.
Just make sure netting is secured so birds can't become trapped in it.
WHEN ARE BLUEBERRIES READY TO PICK?
Don't pick blueberries the moment they start turning blue.
Give them a little time to fully ripen on the bush.
A ripe blueberry should be completely blue and come away from the bush with very little effort.
If you're having to tug, give it another day or two.
Once blueberry season really gets going, check your bushes regularly because berries won't all ripen at the same time.
One of my favorite things is walking past the bushes and grabbing a handful of ripe blueberries right off the plant.
Of course, I'm not sure how many of those ever make it into the house.
IF YOUR BLUEBERRIES AREN'T DOING WELL
Bush isn't growing: If it's newly planted, give it some time. Also make sure it's getting enough sunlight and water.
Leaves are turning yellow: This is one situation where I'd consider checking the soil pH. If the soil isn't acidic enough, blueberries can have trouble taking up the nutrients they need.
Lots of flowers but not many berries: Pollination may be an issue. Another compatible blueberry variety nearby may help.
Berries disappear before you pick them: Look up. Your problem may have feathers.
Bush looks healthy but doesn't produce much yet: It may simply be young. Blueberries get better as the bushes mature.
WHAT TO DO WITH ALL THOSE BLUEBERRIES
Once blueberry bushes get established and really begin producing, you may be surprised by how many berries you get.
I have six bushes, and during a good year we eat blueberries fresh and still have plenty left for preserving and baking.
Here are a few recipes to check out:
Blueberry Cupcakes
Blueberry Jam
Blueberry Lime Jam
If I can't use all of mine right away, I freeze them. That gives me blueberries to use long after blueberry season is over.
DON'T OVERTHINK GROWING BLUEBERRIES
Yes, blueberries prefer acidic soil.
Yes, you can test your soil, research the perfect amendments, study pollination charts, and learn everything there is to know about pruning.
And if your bushes aren't doing well, some of that information can be very helpful.
But don't let it convince you that blueberries are too difficult to grow.
I have six bushes. I fertilize them in the spring, make sure they have water when they need it, and mostly leave them alone. They reward me with a huge crop of blueberries every year.
Start with a healthy bush that's suited to your area.
Plant it somewhere sunny.
Give it water.
Feed it in the spring.
Then let it grow.
You can always learn the complicated stuff if you actually need it.