The blueberry, or blueberry, is one of the most popular berries and scores points due to its impressive nutritional values, which make it a superfood. It's no wonder that more and more gardeners want to plant blueberries and add them to their plant collection. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when planting if you want to enjoy a rich harvest. We have summarized the most important steps for you so that you can soon enjoy your own blueberry jam, smoothies and muffins with blueberries or other home-grown blueberry treats.
Both spring and autumn are suitable for planting the blueberry bush. However, not both are equally optimal. So when is the ideal time to plant blueberries? Preferablychoose autumn. The reason is simply explained: If the shrub comes into the garden in spring, it severely depletes the plant's strength. This must grow and form new roots for this purpose. At the same time, it also has to generate strength for bud, flower and fruit formation. In autumn, however, she can devote herself fully to root formation.
If you decide to plant blueberries in spring, you can help them get used to them by removing the buds from the flowers in the first year. As you can imagine, this means you won't get any fruit the first year, but it is a better option for the berry bush.
Give the shrub enough space
The hole you dig for planting should be large enough. So don't be too stingy when choosing a place, because you need this space in order to be able to fill the hole with a sufficient amount of the substrate that the shrub prefers. However, this hole should not be too deep, as the blueberry has shallow roots. This is also why you need a container that is wide rather than tall when storing blueberriesplant in the pot.
For the garden, the general rule is that the plant ball made of roots and soil can protrude a little from the hole. A hole 40-60 cm deep and 80 cm wide should be sufficient. When planting blueberries, choose a location that is not in the constant flow of rainwater (below slopes, for example, or in hollows). The plants tend to absorb the lime and that doesn't suit them very well. For this reason, it is better if you water the newly planted shrub with rainwater. In contrast to tap water, it does not contain any lime.
Planting blueberries – soil and fertilization
The best soil for blueberries is one with a low pH because the plant likes it acidic. Rhododendron soil, for example, is ideal, but peat-free peat soil is also suitable. You can then enrich these with tree needles (creating an acidic soil). Alternatively, the leaves of oaks and other trees are also suitable. However, avoid peat, as it is neither sustainable nor useful for the climate in the garden.
After you have planted the plant, you can spread wood chips over the root area. When these decompose, nitrogen is released, which the plant needs. Fresh mulch should be used with caution as it removes a lot of nitrogen from the plant. This should then be compensated for with the right fertilizer. The better choice for incorporating in the root area is bark mulch. Since it stores moisture very well, it prevents the soil around the roots from warming up too much in spring.
You can find out more about “fertilizing blueberry bushes”.in this article.
Multiple plant varieties for a richer harvest
Would a blueberry bush be enough for you? Think again, because having at least two in the garden will allow you to increase the amount and size of berries that are formed. Blueberry bushes are self-pollinating, but if two or more specimens are available, the harvest improves through cross-fertilization. However, you should choose different varieties for this so-called cross-pollination. Then you can plant your blueberries, at least 70 cm apart.
Plant blueberries correctly – suitable neighbors
In addition to the second variety, you can also choose other neighbors for the blueberry bush, provided you maintain the necessary distance. This is how the cranberry (Blueberry vine-idea) wonderful, but alsothe popular cranberry(Vaccinium macrocarpon) and the currant (shores) and the gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa). Would you like to have a particularly pretty flowering shrub nearby? Then choose the rhododendron, for example.
Water correctly!
Blueberry bushes are one of those plants that need plenty of water in summer. If they don't have enough water, the harvest will also be sparser. Therefore, you should always water regularly, but definitely avoid waterlogging. The soil should always be moist. As already mentioned, this berry bush is a lime-sensitive plant. You should therefore avoid not only tap water, but also water from a well. Purchasing a rain barrel in which youCollect rainwatercould be a good idea.
Also interesting:Pruning Blueberries: When and How to Prune Your Blueberry Bush for a Bountiful Harvest!
