How to Raise Blueberries

Trim or prune any overhanging branches over the area in which you want to plant your blueberries. Blueberry bushes need full sunlight to grow and thrive.

Test your soil for its acidity level. Blueberries require highly acidic soil, with a pH level between 4.5 and 5.5, for proper growth. Contact your local garden center or extension service for soil testing specifications.

Add granular sulfur to the soil to increase acidity. The amount of sulfur needed for acidity increase is generally between 2 and 6 lbs. per 100 square feet of garden, depending on the current pH level of your soil. Add the sulfur to the top of the soil and till thoroughly to mix it in.

Dig a hole in the soil 18 inches deep and 18 inches wide. Add 1 cubic foot of peat moss into the top soil and fill in the hole until only 4 inches remain unfilled. This addition of moss will increase soil drainage, preventing root damage from excessive water.

Set the blueberry bush plant into the hole and cover the roots with the remaining soil and peat mixture. If you are planting multiple bushes, plant them 5 feet apart in a row, with rows 10 feet apart so that the plants do not compete with each other for nutrients.

Water the blueberry bushes with 2 inches of water to encourage root spread. The bushes need at least 1 ½ to 2 inches of water each week; water appropriately based on rainfall in your area.

Cover an area 2 feet spread out from the base of the bush with 4 inches of wood chip mulch or sawdust. The mulch will help to keep moisture from evaporating too quickly from the soil. Maintain this circle of mulch for the entire life of the bush.

Fertilize the bush four weeks after planting. Use up to 16 oz. of balanced fertilizer, applied at least 6 inches from the base of the bush. Consult your specific fertilizer's instructions for application based on the number of bushes and area of garden space you have.

Prune blueberry bushes only as necessary to remove damaged or dead limbs. If you notice slow or stunted growth, prune back the affected branches by 30 to 40 percent to encourage new, healthy stems.