Easy to Grow Potted Blueberries

Planting

• Potted blueberries need full sun and a large container deeper and wider than the plant's root ball. A minimum of 6 inches of space between the root, container sides and the bottom allow for healthy growth. Good drainage is important. Blueberries like constant moisture, but do not grow well in soggy conditions. Plant at least two different varieties for cross-pollination, selecting cultivars recommended for the area.

Soil Conditions

• Blueberries need acidic soil with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5. A mixture of 75 percent peat moss and 26 percent organic soil gets the young plants off to a good start. Pine bark mulch or a pine needle layer helps keep the soil acidic. Applying coffee grounds monthly assists keeping the pH at the right level. When the pH rises above its optimum requirement, the berries cannot retrieve the needed iron from the soil and turn yellow.

Care

• Apply water regularly, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged, increasing the frequency during hot and dry periods. Never allow the soil to dry out. Fertilize the plants each month during the growing season with an acid-based fertilizer. Discontinue fertilizing in August. After 3 years of growth, lightly prune the plants each spring, removing any dead or damaged wood. Trimming back good branches by 1/3 promotes new, healthy growth. Most blueberry varieties are winter hardy. Protect container plants' roots in winter by wrapping the containers in burlap, bubble wrap or blankets for added protection.

Varieties

• Winter hardy to minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit, lowbush varieties are small, 3-foot compact shrubs. Highbush plants grow to 6 feet high, require little maintenance and are hardy to minus 20 degrees F. Dwarf varieties offer alternatives for patio areas and containers and sprout as small as 18 inches. Drought-resistant Bluecrop offers gardeners that cannot always water regularly the opportunity to still enjoy garden fresh blueberries.