In What Environment Do Blueberries Grow?

Plant Description

• Blueberry, a plant native to New England, is a shrub grown for its famous berries and its use as a landscape plant. Late spring flowers are pollinated by bees, producing white berries soon after. Blueberry harvest typically occurs in mid- to late summer, depending on the climate. Wild blueberries have small berries, while some cultivated varieties (cultivars) have berries the size of small grapes.

Natural Environment

• In nature, blueberries grow in shallow and peaty, rocky soils in meadows and along forest edges. They are appreciated by deer and other browsing fauna that disperse the seeds in their waste. Commercial blueberry barrens are so called because the land is rocky and the soils are poor and shallow. Maine does well with blueberries because of these barren locations and its cold climate.

Garden Environment

• To succeed with blueberries, the gardener must replicate their natural environment. Choose a sunny site that is well-drained; blueberries will not grow in soggy soil. Peat moss stores moisture and nutrition while draining excess water without contributing to soil fertility itself. Blueberry barrens are crowded with low-growing wild shrubs, so mulching your bushes mimics the cool soil of the barren. Wettable sulfur can be applied to neutral and alkaline soils to acidify them. Ideal pH is about 4.8.

Tips

• Water regularly the first year without letting soils get soggy, as root rot may occur. Overhead watering makes leaves susceptible to mildew. Half-sun is acceptable but results in lower yields. Tall bushes should be planted far enough apart that they don't shade each other. Warmer climates can accommodate both highbush and rabbiteye varieties, but gardeners in areas that dip below 10 degrees Fahrenheit will have to plant highbush. Consult your local agricultural extension office for specific variety recommendations for your area.