Northern Highbush Blueberry

Northern highbush Vaccinium corymbosum needs substantial winter chilling.

Sun

Full sun

Water

Water deeply during establishment; adjust to rainfall and soil

Spacing

60 in

First harvest

Light crop often 2–3 years after planting

Tips

• Match hardiness and chill needs; maintain pH about 4.5–5.5 and compatible overlapping bloom.
• Choose nursery stock adapted to local hardiness, season length and disease pressure.
• Use cultivar- and rootstock-specific spacing rather than treating a planning value as universal.
• Water during establishment and avoid overcropping young plants.
• Plant nursery bushes with the top of the root ball at soil level and use two compatible cultivars for better fruit set.
• Keep the shallow root zone evenly moist with drip irrigation and 2-4 inches of pine bark mulch clear of stems.
• Apply small spring feedings of an acid-loving-plant fertilizer, avoiding fertilizer directly against roots.
• Remove flowers during the first one or two years and begin removing the oldest canes as mature bushes become crowded.
• Use taut bird netting and pick berries several days after they turn fully blue for better sweetness.

Use local perennial planting guidance; spacing and bearing age vary with cultivar, nursery stock and training system.

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