Help with blueberry bushes

Dee
by Dee
I have recently rented a house that has blueberry bushes in the back yard. They appear to be well established. I know nothing about blueberry bushes. Any advice is appreciated. I also have some sort of grape vine as well.
  8 answers
  • Jennifer Hounsom Jennifer Hounsom on Apr 24, 2015
    CareFertilize based on a soil test each spring. An annual application of compost may be adequate. Maintain a 4-inch-thick layer of mulch to conserve moisture and water the planting with a soaker hose or drip irrigation for best berry production. Blueberries have shallow roots. Cultivate shallowly to keep down weeds, but be careful not to damage the surface roots.Prune during the dormant season. Starting in the fourth year, remove dead and weak branches. Thin out branches smaller than the diameter of a pencil. As the bush ages, remove old, unproductive branches to stimulate new growth, leaving 6 to 8 productive branches. Prune interior crossing branches to admit light to the center of the plant. Although generally troublefree, blueberries are susceptible to a number of different disease and insect pests, depending on region. Contact your cooperative extension office for information on managing pests in your area.
  • Leah Swindler Leah Swindler on Apr 24, 2015
    Blueberries love acidic soil conditions. Add sulfur and some Miracid plant food in the spring when they are budding out. Mulch with acidic leaves such as oak or pine. if you are not getting enough rainfall when the berries are forming you will want to supplement water. Prune in the fall. Good luck! Additionally, if you are having trouble with birds you can try netting or plant other berries that the birds like better, such as a mulberry tree. That will cut down on crop losses.
  • Coraline Jones Coraline Jones on Apr 25, 2015
    Net them! You're not the only one waiting for berries.
  • Moxie Moxie on Apr 25, 2015
    When they bloom, and you have eaten your immediate need; flash freeze them on a cookie sheet before you bag them so they don't get mushy when you thaw later : )
  • Mar Mar on Apr 25, 2015
    We mix 1/5 gallon white vinegar with 3 gallons of water for our 3 blueberry bushes as well as for our pink blueberry bush. We don't net them, however, I do have competition from the mocking birds when the berries ripen to see who can pick them first!
  • Dee Dee on Apr 25, 2015
    Thank you all so much for your information!! When should I expect to have blueberries? When do they go dormant?
  • Ilona Elliott Ilona Elliott on Apr 26, 2015
    Harvest can be anytime from June through September depending on variety, probably a little earlier in your southern climate zone. Water them well. Some blueberries give great fall color--reds and yellow oranges--making them a popular edible ornamental. They are so good and good for you too. Lucky you!
  • Mar Mar on Apr 26, 2015
    We usually start to see blueberries here mid-end May.