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Frost Damage on Blueberry Flowers

Common blueberry plants, including highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) and rabbiteye blueberries (V. ashei) protect themselves from damage during cold winters by going dormant. However, as spring nears, blueberries break dormancy and begin to produce flower buds. At this time, it's critical for home gardeners to protect their blueberry crops from frost damage. Rabbiteye blueberries often experience more damage from spring frost as their flowers begin to set up two weeks before highbush varieties, according to horticulture experts at the University of Kentucky.

  1. Selecting a Site

    • The first step to protecting blueberry plants and flowers from frost damage involves selecting a proper site in the yard. Horticultural experts at the University of Kentucky recommend selecting an area in the yard with good air and soil drainage. When possible, plant blueberry bushes on top of a hill or in elevated planter boxes. The increase in elevation allows colder air masses to sink into the surrounding, low-lying areas, helping protect blueberry plants from frost damage. Higher elevations also keep roots above the water level. Keep the soil around blueberry plantings loose as compacted soils fail to drain properly.

    Temperatures

    • In addition to selecting the proper location, blueberry gardeners benefit from monitoring the temperatures around blueberry plantings. Blueberries become more susceptible to frost damage as flower production progresses, according to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Temperatures below 21 degrees Fahrenheit cause damage to swelled, flower buds. Cold hardiness decreases as flowers begin to open. Flowers with closed corollas experience damage when temperatures dip below 25 degrees while fully-opened flowers suffer damage from below-freezing temperatures.

    Damage Symptoms

    • Often, frost damage on blueberry flowers only becomes evident after the flowers fully open. Damaged flowers develop a water-soaked appearance and often drop from the plants, according to the horticultural experts at North Carolina State University. Frost damage causes flower pistils to turn brown. Flowers with damaged pistils are unable to pollinate, and the blueberry plants cannot produce fruit.

    Frost Protection

    • After flowers or buds begin to develop, gardeners should take precautions against an unseasonable, early-spring frost. North Carolina State University's experts recommend removing the buds that develop on early shoots. Buds develop on older-growth later in spring compared to new-growth buds. This later-season growth helps reduce the threat of frost damage. Use a hose or portable irrigation system to keep the soil moist during the months when spring frosts are possible. Moist soil absorbs more heat from the sun, keeping the surface warmer on cold nights. Watering plants helps protect them from freezing. Set up an irrigation system or sprinklers to keep plants moist when temperatures fall below 38 degrees. Maintain the water temperature between 33 and 37 degrees when temperatures drop below freezing overnight.

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Growing Blueberries
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