How to Grow Green Grapes & Blueberries

Start both grapevines and blueberries in late winter during plant dormancy. These fruiting plants do best with dormant starts and full summer growing seasons.

Set out separate growing sites for the two vineyards. Grow grapes in sites with full sunshine, quick year-round drainage and air movement, and allow 8 to 10 feet of space per plant. Grow blueberries in sites with these same conditions, with the first blueberry bush at least 5 feet from the last grapevine to avoid shading issues. Neither crop blooms or bears fruit in shade.

Amend the site for the grapevines at every 8 to 10 feet in the row, and leave 8 to 10 feet between rows. Dig into the top 12 inches of soil in 2-foot-square sites, loosen the soil, and add 4 to 5 inches of organic compost for drainage and nutrition. Amend the site for blueberries at every 5 feet in the row with 10 feet between multiple rows. Dig into the top 8 inches of soil in 2-foot-square sites, and add 3 to 4 inches of peat moss, compost and leaf mold for these acid-loving plants. Grapevines do best with neutral to slightly acidic soil, while blueberries require high acidity.

Plant grapevines and blueberries in holes deep and wide enough for their root balls. Choose successful green grape cultivars like Niagara, St. Pepin, Scuppernong, Himrod and Vidal Blanc and at least two different blueberry cultivars. Both crops do best with moderate plantings, which give their roots access to sun and air. If you plant potted blueberries, plant them at their initial growing depth to minimize shock.

Put a trellis system up for grapevines. These vining plants require support during their growth and fail when they grow along the ground. Use soft ties to tie the vines to the wires of the trellis.

Prune grapevines to one cane on each plant, with 5 to 10 buds per cane. Prune blueberries by two-thirds of their growth to leave one to three healthy shoots. The pruning encourages healthy new growth.

Water both crops with 2 inches of water every week, and use 2 inches of organic mulch over the soil around the plantings to keep the plants warm and moist. Mulch also restricts weed growth around the crops.

Fertilize both grapevines and blueberries the week after planting with 10-10-10 fertilizer. Turn the fertilizer into the top 4 to 6 inches of soil around the plants, then water. Don't allow the fertilizer granules to touch the plants. Repeat feedings at six-week intervals into midsummer for blueberries.