| I can't seem to get my blueberry plants to grow.I've tried for the past 3 years and most of the plants do not survive.What might I be doing wrong...Thanks Harry |
| The problems you've encountered could be due to soil conditions or to the varieties you're trying to grow. Here are a few handy hints: Blueberries grow best in a well-drained sandy loam, rich in organic matter. Clay soils can be made suitable for blueberries by adding organic matter (such as peat moss) and sand. In very poorly drained soils, blueberries may be planted in ridges 4 inches above the surrounding soil level. Full sunlight all day long is essential for maximum production. Blueberries require an acid soil with a pH range of 4.5 to 5.0. Abandoned pastures and fields and woodland soils generally have a pH suitable for blueberry growth, although only a soil test will determine the actual pH level. Soil test kits are available through county Cooperative Extension offices or by calling the tollfree UNH Cooperative Extension Info Line, 1-877-398-4769, weekdays between 9AM. and 2 PM. If the soil pH is above 5.0, apply fine ground sulfur or aluminum sulfate at the recommended rate. Do not apply sulfur or aluminum sulfate except as directed by a soil test recommendation. Highbush blueberries are normally planted 5 feet apart in rows 8 to 10 feet apart. Set healthy 2- or 3-year old plants in early spring. Dig a planting hole at least twice as large as the blueberry plant root system. Backfill with good topsoil. Set the plant slightly deeper than it was set in the nursery and water thoroughly. Take care that the blueberry roots do not dry out during the transplanting process. Prune out weak and broken branches. Remove all blossoms that appear the year the plants are set (second year blossom removal also is desirable) to encourage plant growth. Blueberries have a shallow root system and must be mulched with a 3 to 4 inch deep layer of organic mulch. Sawdust, bark, pine needles, leaves, or combinations of these all make good mulch. Moisten soil before applying mulch. Supply plants with a uniform and adequate water supply as needed from blossom time through harvest and control both perennial and annual weeds. Three to four weeks after planting apply 2 ounces 7-7-7 fertilizer (a fertilizer designed for acidloving plants such as rhododendrons and azaleas) or its equivalent. Apply fertilizer in a circle 15 to 18 inches from the plant. During the first 2 or 3 years blueberries require little pruning except to remove dead, diseased or weak branches. After the third year, prune plants annually in early spring. Fruit is produced on vigorous, one-year-old wood resulting from an annual moderate pruning. First remove all dead, broken, or diseased wood and branches close to the ground. Remove at ground level any old, weak stems no longer producing strong one-year-old wood. Keep 6 to 7 vigorous older stems and 1 or 2 strong new shoots per bush. The new shoots will eventually replace older stems. Blueberries begin producing in early to mid-July in New Hampshire and reach peak production during early August. Fruit is produced in clusters of 5 to 10 berries which ripen in succession over a period of several weeks. Pick only fully ripe berries and harvest all of the ripe fruit on the bush. Blueberries often turn blue with a slight reddish tinge several days before they are fully ripe. Delaying harvest until berries are fully ripe will result in better tasting, larger fruit and increased total yields. Here are some recommended blueberries for your growing region: Highbush Types - These cultivars should be generally hardy throughout the southern half of N.H. PatriotLarge fruit. High productivity. Very hardy, excellent flavor. Blueray Large fruit. High productivity. Excellent fruit size and flavor. Bluecrop Large, powder blue, firm berries. Moderate productivity. Will not tolerate wet soils. Jersey Medium to large fruit. Good quality, late summer berry. Highbush/Lowbush Types - These cultivars should be hardy throughout the state including Coos County. They will perform best when snow cover is good. In addition to fruit production, these cultivars are well adapted for ornamental use. Northland Medium sized fruit. Very hardy. High productivity. 5 ft. tall. North Country Medium sized fruit. Moderate productivity. Hardy to -35oF. Sweet. 2 ft tall. Northblue Large fruit. Moderate productivity. Very hardy (to -35oF). 2-1/2 ft.tall. Good quality. St. Cloud Large, fruit; productive. Very hardy. 4 ft. tall. Friendship Medium to small fruit; productive. Very hardy. 2 ft. tall. Hope this information is helpful! Best wishes with your blueberries! |
