Are you trying to grow blueberries? Well, my friend, you made the right choice! But are blueberries easy to grow? Well, they actually are, but you need to make sure that you’re growing them the right way! When I first started growing blueberries, I did it on my own (huge mistake) without following any instructions!
My blueberry bushes started looking worse day after day. In the beginning, I couldn’t figure out what I had done wrong, so I tried to remember every step I took while growing them.
After some research I came to the conclusion that I’d made lots of mistakes that almost cost me losing all of my sweet fruits! Luckily, I fixed every mistake I made and got a new opportunity to start again.
Well, you don’t want to end up with nothing to harvest from your blueberry bushes, right? Then you need to pay close attention as I’m about to show you the five most common mistakes that can happen while growing blueberries!
#1 Don’t Plant Just One Variety
Why grow one blueberry variety when you have one hundred and fifty to choose from? Growing only one type of blueberry is one of the very first mistakes that many gardeners make.
Despite the fact that blueberries are self-pollinating plants, you should definitely grow a few more varieties! Planting more blueberry varieties next to each other will start the process of cross-pollination, and that’s when the real magic starts.
Growing different varieties together is the key for better pollination and it’s great for getting bigger fruits! They will grow better and you’ll end up with a successful harvest. Isn’t that great?
#2 Proper Spacing Leads To Stronger Plants
It’s easy to fall into the trap of planting your blueberries too close together. After all, who doesn’t want to maximize their harvest potential? But this seemingly harmless mistake can actually harm your plants in the long run!
When blueberries are cramped, their roots can’t stretch out properly, limiting their ability to absorb water and nutrients. Over time, this weakens the plants, leaving you with fewer, smaller berries instead of the robust harvest you were hoping for.
The good news? It’s an easy fix. Give each plant enough room to spread its roots and grow tall! Aim for about three to five feet of space between your blueberry bushes – this will help them grow stronger, healthier, and more productive.
Plus, with more space, they’ll have better airflow around them, which lowers the chances of diseases like powdery mildew and rust.
#3 A Little Snip Goes A Long Way!
It’s easy to forget about pruning, but skipping it can hinder your blueberry plants’ growth and fruit production.
When left unpruned, blueberries can become tangled and overcrowded, leading to weak branches that block sunlight from reaching the inner parts of the plant. As a result, your bushes will struggle to grow strong and produce a bountiful harvest.
Spending just a few minutes trimming your bushes in early spring can make all the difference. By cutting away old, non-productive wood, you open up space for fresh, healthy growth.
This not only improves the structure of your plant but also encourages it to focus on producing larger, juicier berries. Pruning your blueberries regularly is a simple task that yields big rewards.
#4 Support Your Blueberries with A Trellis
If you’ve ever struggled to harvest blueberries from a bush that can barely stand under the weight of its fruit, you know how frustrating it can be!
The branches sag, and you’re left stretching and bending just to get a few ripe berries. But it doesn’t have to be this way. A trellis can make all the difference.
By lifting the branches and guiding them upward, it provides much-needed support, helping your blueberries grow tall and strong. The structure keeps the plant upright, preventing breakage and ensuring that the fruit gets the space and sunlight it needs to ripen perfectly.
With a trellis, not only does your plant stay healthier, but harvesting becomes a breeze. No more bending and stretching – just easy access to every berry!
#5 Provide Your Blueberry With Enough Light, Or The Fruits Won’t Be Sweet
You may hear that blueberries can tolerate partially shaded areas in your garden, but that’s not true! If you place them in partially shaded areas in your garden, the most terrible thing that could happen is that your fruits won’t be sweet at all or get the perfect size you desire.
So, the best place for your blueberries is in the sunniest part of your garden, where they will receive at least eight hours of direct sunlight!
#6 Avoid Overhead Watering, As It Can Lead To Mildew
Blueberries love moist soil and you must keep it that way while they are in their growing stage. That’s why you should water them every three to seven days!
There’s one mistake when it comes to watering that you need to avoid – overhead watering! When you water them from above you’ll wet their leaves and they will easily get affected by a fungal disease called powdery mildew.
This disease is dangerous and it can destroy your fruits and make them inedible! That’s why you should follow the rule of watering only the base of the plant. By watering your blueberries this way, leaves won’t get wet and there won’t be a sign of fungal diseases!
You can also try installing drip irrigation! That’s a great way to water your blueberries if you are busy all day, but the most important thing is that drip irrigation waters soil directly without leaving leaves wet.
#7 Feed Your Blueberries Right, Not Too Much
Want bigger, sweeter blueberries? The secret isn’t in more fertilizer – it’s in the right amount!
Overfeeding blueberries with too much fertilizer is a common mistake that can create a lot of lush leaves, but it often leaves your plant’s berries smaller and less flavorful. If your blueberry bushes are putting out lots of greenery but little fruit, you might be feeding them too much.
Instead of feeding your blueberries like they’re starving, give them a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. Keep it light and follow a simple schedule. You’ll be amazed at how well they do with just the right amount of food.
A light feeding once in early spring and perhaps again in late summer is usually enough to keep your plants healthy and productive!
#8 Don’t Skip On Mulching
Hear me out, mulch is the most important part of growing your blueberries! Mulch will help your blueberries thrive, keep the weeds out, and provide them with good nutrients they need for growth!
Just one layer of pine mulch or pine needles is going to keep your blueberries healthy and strong during their growth season.
#9 Keep The Soil Drainage In Check
Blueberries love moisture, but they definitely don’t like to sit in water! If you’ve noticed your plants looking a little off – yellowing leaves or stunted growth – poor soil drainage might be the culprit.
Without proper drainage, water pools around the roots, depriving them of oxygen and causing them to suffocate. This stagnant water can lead to root rot, and once that happens, it’s tough to fix.
To keep your blueberries healthy, make sure the soil drains well. If you’re working with clay-heavy or compacted soil, amend it with organic materials like compost or peat moss. You can also add sand for extra drainage power.
In pots? Be sure there are drainage holes at the bottom so water doesn’t linger for too long. A little effort upfront can save you from bigger problems down the road!
#10 Beware Of Pests And Diseases
There are two varieties you should avoid planting – blue chip and bounty! These two types of blueberries are prone to a disease called stem blight. When they get affected, the disease will spread quickly to your other healthy blueberries, which can end terribly!
You should also be aware of pests such as aphids, fruit flies, mealybugs and spider mites. Blueberries are their favorite treats because they love eating fruits and sucking the plant’s sap!
But don’t worry because you can easily drive them away by using neem oil or insecticidal soaps!
Now you’ll be able to grow blueberry bushes perfectly, without making any mistakes! Knowing what could go wrong will save your blueberries and you’ll end up with plenty of fruit to harvest.
Blueberry bushes can grow in your garden for fifty years! Isn’t that fascinating? If you follow these easy steps (and avoid all the mistakes), your blueberry bushes will also thrive for many years!
And that’s it for today! Now you can freely go outside and take good care of your blueberries.
Good luck!