Blueberry Care Begins Now By Mallory Kelley othing says summer quite like N blueberries! Blueberries have been in full swing since the end of May, but
come mid-July, they begin to fizzle out. That means it’s time to start thinking about next year. The size and quality of the berries will decline toward the end of the season, so it’s OK to sacrifice berries now for a little maintenance to ensure a healthier blueberry harvest next year. As the plant is finishing berry production, it will put its energy into making new shoots and branches. The new growth between now and fall is where the biggest and best berries will be next year. For optimal branch growth, the plants will need water, mulch, fertilizer and pruning. Make sure not to fertilize after mid-September to give the new plant tissue time to harden off. Generally, blueberries need fertilizing twice a year — once in early spring and again as the berries fade away. Use a urea-based fertilizer or a fertilizer labeled for azaleas or camellias. This will help acidify the soil. Blueberries like a low pH of 4.5-5.2. Have a soil test done if you have not had one in the past three years to determine which nutrients are lacking and where the pH is. Prune the long canes that sprout from branches or from the ground to
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encourage branching. This will multiply berry production next year. As plants start to grow long, straight shoots or canes, clip these a little lower than where fruit would ideally be next year. If the fruit should be chest height, clip those canes about a foot lower. The more the canes are clipped (especially the long canes), the more branching happens. The more branches, the more fruit will grow next year. Always remove dead or diseased branches. Plant blueberries this fall, but remember to plant different varieties of “Rabbiteye” blueberries to prolong the growing season. Different varieties produce at different times from early summer to early August for most of
Alabama. Plant blueberries in full sun with a moist, well-aerated, well-drained soil high in organic matter. Incorporate organic matter such as peat moss, compost or fine pine bark into the soil at planting, and mulch around the plant to retain water and suppress weeds. Don’t add so much mulch that it suppresses new cane development. Planting blueberries on a little mound ensures plants do not settle and end up planted too deep; they hate “wet feet.” This means roots of the plant will slowly decline through the years. If you have home garden questions, we have answers. Call the Master Gardener Helpline at 1 (877) ALA-GROW (252-4769).
July 2022
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