Complete Blueberry Growing Guide
We asked our Horticulture Team for their best tips and tricks for growing healthy, delicious, gorgeous Blueberries in a permaculture garden. People across the country can successfully grow these wonderful bushes.
- Blueberry Varieties: Choose the Right Type
- Blueberry Plant Care
- Planting Blueberries
- Growing Blueberries in Containers
- Pruning Blueberry Bushes
- Blueberry Bush Pollination
- Start Growing Blueberries Today
Blueberry Varieties: Choose the Right Type
There are 5 main growth habits of Blueberries, including: Northern Highbush, Southern Highbush, Lowbush, Hybrid Half-high, and Rabbiteyes. These varieties range widely in chill hours, cold hardiness, fruiting seasons, size, and flavor.
Selecting the right variety is key to successfully growing Blueberries. Nature Hills offers many varieties, and one will work best for your area.
- Zone 3-4: Half-Highs (Northblue, Northcountry, Polaris)
- Zone 5-6: Northern Highbush - Vaccinium corymbosum (Earliblue, Draper, Pink Lemonade)
- Southern/Western: Rabbiteyes - Vaccinium ashei (Climax, Tifblue) or Southern Highbush (Southmoon, Misty)
Blueberry Plant Care
Location
Blueberries prefer full sun and will produce more flavorful berries for you if you can provide it. Protect your plants from the hot, late afternoon sun if you live in an area with low humidity.
Soil Requirements
Blueberries perform well in acidic soil that is high in organic matter. Much like Azaleas, these plants are naturally found in thin mountain soil, so you'll need to recreate that environment. It’s recommended to test your soil pH before planting.
pH Levels:
- Northern Highbush and Rabbiteyes: pH 6.0 or lower
- Half-Highs: pH 5.5 or lower
A simple soil test kit or meter should be used to monitor your soil's pH.
Adjusting pH
If you need to lower the pH, start several months before planting. Soil sulfur, peat moss, and chunked coir all help to reduce pH. Once planted, check regularly with a soil meter. Amend as needed. Organic fertilizers such as Feather Meal, Cottonseed, or Fish Meal help lower pH naturally.
Planting Blueberries
Blueberries thrive in soil rich in organic matter. When planting, dig the hole as deep as your plant's container and twice as wide. Add a 25% mix of compost, oak leaf mold, or aged sawdust to the backfill. Remove the plant from the pot and gently loosen the roots. Spread them out and backfill. Do not plant deeper than the existing soil line. Pack soil firmly around roots.
Mulch
Blueberry roots are shallow and benefit from a thick mulch layer, about 4 inches deep and spread 2 feet beyond the canopy, to keep roots cool and retain moisture.
Watering Blueberries
Blueberries prefer consistent moisture. Check the soil before watering; if it's still moist, delay another day. Observe your plants and adjust for the weather. Use rainwater when possible, as municipal water often has a high pH.
Fertilizing
Feeding Blueberries depends on soil pH and organic matter. Acidic, rich soils need less fertilizer. Conduct a soil test to identify deficiencies.
First Year: Removing fruit in the first year encourages faster growth.
Using netting to protect Blueberry bushes from deer and birds.
Growing Blueberries in Containers
Blueberries are excellent for container gardening. Containers let you control pH better, making this method highly recommended. Choose a container 2–4 inches wider than the nursery pot with multiple drainage holes.
In cold regions, move containers to a protected area for winter. Cover with straw or wrap with burlap to insulate roots.
Fertilizing Schedule:
- Young plants (1–5 years): Every 3 months
- Older plants (5–30 years): Every 2 months
Ensure young plants are well-fed before dormancy in fall.
Pruning Blueberry Bushes
All Blueberries require some pruning. Begin regular pruning after 3 years of growth. Prune while dormant, and early spring pruning helps remove winter-damaged branches.
Northern and Southern Highbushes and Rabbiteyes require more aggressive pruning. Half-Highs and Lowbush need major pruning only when patch-grown to prevent crowding.
Start major pruning in year three to remove 3-year-old wood and encourage new shoots. Alternate pruning each year for steady production.
Annual Pruning Tasks:
- Remove dead, diseased, or weak limbs
- Cut limbs touching the ground
- Eliminate crossing branches
- Remove damaged wood
Blueberry Bush Pollination
Blueberries are partially self-fertile but produce more and larger berries when multiple varieties of the same growth habit are planted. Mix early, mid, and late-season types for an extended harvest.
We’ve included pollination partners on each Blueberry product page.
Need help choosing? Visit our Garden Blog.
Start Growing Blueberries Today
Growing containerized Blueberries successfully means selecting the right variety for your zone, maintaining acidic soil, and providing consistent care. Whether planted in the ground or in containers, Blueberries will reward you with delicious, healthy berries for decades.
Remember: Provide full sun, maintain soil pH between 5.5 - 6.0, water regularly, mulch deeply, and prune annually after year three. Plant multiple varieties for better pollination and an extended harvest from early summer through fall.
With guidance from our Horticulture Team, you're ready to grow thriving Blueberry bushes in your permaculture garden. Start planning your Blueberry patch today and enjoy fresh, homegrown fruit for years to come!
Happy Planting!
