These Blueberry Growing Tips Give You All the Fresh and Free Berries You Could Ever Want

American loves their blueberries whether in a muffin, in a breakfast cereal or eaten alone. The blueberry is loaded with nutrition, flavor, and are a convenient snack for people dieting. Blueberries come in many varieties and are relatively easy to grow. Now, let's take a look how you can grow a bountiful these tiny berries at home.

Getting started growing blueberries

When growing blueberries the site will need extra preparation before planting begins. However, once in the ground and established, it's time to break-out a prize winning pie recipe. Common blueberry varieties include Collins, Bluecrop and Bluejay.

Growing Blueberries Conditions

When you provide a growing blueberry with ideal conditions, they grow in abundance. Many fruits are tolerant of different soil types, blueberries are not one of them. The plants need very acidic soil with a good amount of organic matter.

The area where the blueberries will be grown should be prepared months before any plants are moved to the area. The soil pH ideally should be 4.5 to 5.2. It would be wise to have the soil tested for ideal acidity. If the growing blueberry leaves begin to yellow or appear stunted, the soil may not be acidic enough. Choose a location where the growing blueberries will get 4-6 hours of full sun each day.

Moisture levels should be maintained until plants are established. During the growing season and especially when the fruit begins developing plenty of water should be applied. An inch or more weekly should be plenty.

Add a hearty level of mulch to reduce soil heat, retain moisture and control weeds from becoming troublesome. The highest yielding harvest will come from plants grow in full sun. Choose their location carefully. Birds and rabbits are the biggest pest to growing blueberries.

Harvesting the ripe berries

Taste testing is a tried and true way of determining if blueberries are ready for harvesting. A ripe berry has a slight softness to it and is generally plumper.

A light red ring where the stem and berry meet is an indicator the fruit is not ready for picking.

See Also : Cereal Dispenser