How to Grow Northland Blueberries

Place bare root Northland blueberry bushes into a container of water for about one hour before planting. This isn't necessary for bushes purchased in containers.

Dig a hole 2 feet in diameter and 24 inches deep.

Remove half of the loose soil and replace it with moistened Canadian sphagnum peat.

Place the roots into the hole at the depth they were originally planted.

Cover the roots with the soil and peat mixture, and water deeply.

Cut back all small side branches and reduce the overall height of the bush by half.

Spread 3 to 5 inches of organic mulch under the bush to protect the roots and keep them moist.

Provide supplemental water when less than an inch of rain falls in one week.

Snip off blooms that form during the first two seasons after planting. This directs nutrients and energy to foliage growth, which increases the berry yield during future growing seasons.

Apply 4 oz. ammonium sulfate to each plant during the second growing season, just as blooms appear. Add an additional ounce each year, but don't exceed 8 oz.

Prune Northland blueberry bushes during early spring. Eliminate damaged and weak canes at this time. Also, remove branches that are growing less than a foot from the surface of the soil.