Blueberries may be planted as close together as 2 – 212 feet apart to make strong hedgerows, or as far away as 6 feet apart and grown separately. Allow 8 to 10 feet between rows if planting in rows, depending on mowing or cultivating machinery.
Selection and Preparation of the Location
Choose a sunny spot with well-drained, weed-free soil that has been well-worked. It’s ideal to put your blueberry bushes in a location with easy access to watering, since keeping the root zone wet throughout the growth season will yield the greatest results.
Raised beds are a great choice when the soil isn’t suitable or is poorly drained.
Blueberries also thrive in patio pots, making them a wonderful option for individuals who live in apartments or condos who don’t have access to a yard.
Acidic soils are ideal for blueberries. Incorporating peat moss into the planting media is a fail-safe technique to produce blueberries in practically any soil. Prepare a planting space approximately 212 feet in diameter and 1 foot deep for each plant when planting directly in the ground. 1/3 to 1/2 of the dirt should be removed. Mix in an equal amount of peat moss that has been pre-moistened. (A compressed bale of 4 cubic feet is generally enough for 4-5 plants.) Mix equal parts peat moss, bark (not cedar or redwood), compost, or planting mix in a raised bed. Consult your neighbourhood garden centre. They’re local specialists who can provide you the finest advice on soil amendments.
Planting
Planting in the fall or spring is best in most locations, however several countries allow planting all year.
Remove containerized blueberry plants from their pots and lightly roughen up the root ball’s outer surface. Mound the top dirt around the root ball about 1/2 inch higher than the current earth. Then mound dirt along the exposed root mass’s sides and water well.
Mulching
To retain moisture, suppress weeds, and contribute organic matter, blueberries benefit from 2-4 inches of mulch applied over the roots. Bark O Mulch, acid compost, sawdust, and grass clippings are all excellent choices. Every other year, repeat the process. Do not use cedar or redwood tree bark or sawdust.
Pruning
Allowing blueberries to establish themselves before allowing them to yield fruit is a good idea. Remove the majority of the flower blossoms as they develop if you’re starting with lesser plants. Blueberry plants should be aggressively trimmed each year in the future to avoid over-fruiting, which leads to tiny fruit and poor development.
We know from our three decades of expertise at Fall Creek® that one of the most common mistakes home gardeners make with blueberries is not trimming them.
Aggressive yearly pruning will ensure that your plants are healthier, more robust, and produce more fruit.
Here are a few pointers:
Remove any low-growing vegetation near the base.
Remove the dead wood and leave the lateral branches that are brightly coloured. Branches that are short and discoloured should be removed. Continue trimming your plants until you’ve eliminated 1/3 to 1/2 of the wood each year. Remember, pruning encourages growth and berry production, so go ahead and do it!
Fertilizing
Blueberries like acid fertilisers like rhododendron or azalea formulas once they’ve established themselves. (Request recommendations from your local garden centre.) Blueberries are quite susceptible to over-fertilization, so use caution while fertilising. Follow the directions on the label.
Fertilize once in the early spring and once in the late spring. After fertilising, make sure to water thoroughly. Blood meal and cottonseed meal are excellent organic fertilisers. Manures should be avoided since they can harm the plants.
Final Word:
If you were unsure about the spacing for your blueberry plants, we hope that this blog will help you out – alongside providing other valuable information regarding blueberry plantation.
See more: Types of Blueberries | How to Store Blueberries (All Methods) | Best Blueberry Substitutes | Do Birds Eat Blueberries? How to Prevent Birds from Eating Blueberries? | Do Blueberries Stain Clothes?