Late fall or spring are the best times toplant blueberryProperly planted blueberry is the basis of success in growing this plant. It is therefore worth finding outhow to prepare the ground for blueberry , what is the correct depth andblueberry planting spacingand what it should look likeblueberry care after plantingSeehow to plant blueberryso that it is quickly established, grows he althily and produces abundant fruit!
How to plant blueberry - you will need a he althy blueberry seedling, sour peat and pine bark
When to plant blueberries
Blueberriesproduced in containers can be planted at any time from spring to autumn, however, summer planting is the least favorable for such plants. Despite good care, they will not grow as strongly as when planted in fall or spring.
The most favorableplanting date for blueberryis autumn. Plants planted in October or November, before winter, develop new roots. This makes it easier for them to adopt more quickly and grow vigorously from early spring. However, we must remember to protect the newly planted plants against frost (mounding the base of the shoots).
When planting blueberries in springthe plant requires frequent watering.
How to prepare the ground for blueberry planting
Beforeplanting blueberryit is good to prepare the soil well. Due to the fact that American blueberry requires acidic soils with a pH of 3.5-4.0, it is worth acidifying the soil with powdery sulfur before planting the bush.The soil sulphurization should be carried out at least one year before the blueberry planting.
If the acidity of the soil reaches the optimal pH value required by the blueberry, systematic fertilization with ammonium sulphate will lower the pH, without the need to re-sulfur. A slight decrease in pH can also be achieved by using conifer sawdust, pine bark or acid garden peat.
If we do not have sulfur fertilizers, it is worth reaching fora quick and proven way to acidify the ground for blueberrieswhich is an acidifier to the soil pH substrate -.
It is a fertilizer acidifying agent prepared especially for garden crops. It is used as a liquid fertilizer, i.e. diluted in water (100 ml of acidifier per 10 liters of water) andpoured over the ground before planting blueberries(can also be used under already planted shrubs). 10 liters of solution is enough for a 10m² surface and should lower the soil pH by about -1 pH. However, the result may vary depending on the amount and soil structure of the garden.
Highbush blueberry also has high water requirementsand feels best when the groundwater level is around 60 cm.
To ensure adequate humidity soil for blueberries will be helpful if you add TerraCottem to the groundThese must be applied before planting, mixing with the soil in which you will plant blueberries. TerraCottem contains a hydrogel whose granules have the ability to accumulate quite a lot of water. When the soil is too wet, the hydrogel takes away excess water, and when the soil dries up it releases this water back. Thanks to thisblueberry will have the required soil constantly moist but not excessively wet
In addition to the TerraCottem hydrogel, it also contains a starting dose of fertilizer and pieces of volcanic rock that loosen the soil. This will ensurefree growth of blueberry roots and facilitate its adoption after planting .
How to plant blueberry bushes
Blueberry bushesintended for planting should be two or three years old. Such plants are usually grown in containers, have a well-developed root system and already bear fruit.
American blueberry is plantedas deep as it grew in the nursery. If you plan to plant many American blueberry bushes, you can plow wide furrows and prepare a blueberry substrate in them. If we only plant a few plants, it is enough to dig holes at least 50 cm deep and wide and season the soil in them by adding acid peat, sawdust or bark. The prepared wells are filled with blueberry seedlings intended for cultivation.
How to plant blueberry - season the hole for blueberry with acid peat
Soil treatment is advisable if you want toplant blueberry , as it increases the water capacity of the soil and enriches it with humus. It is worth planting several blueberry bushes next to each other for better pollination. Strong plants with a rich root bundle are planted at a distance of 3x1.5 m.
How to plant blueberry - place the plant in the hole and sprinkle the rest of the soil
How to care for American blueberries after planting?
American blueberry after plantingfertilize with multi-component fertilizers intended for blueberry fertilization, giving two-thirds of the dose in autumn or early spring, and the rest at the beginning of June.
Immediatelyafter planting the American blueberry , its shoots are cut into a few holes above the ground. From the second to the fourth year, only broken, diseased shoots are removed. Plants 5-6 years old are cut quite strongly, reducing 1/5 of the total weight of the shoots.
How to plant blueberry - sprinkle pine bark mulch under the plant and water the bush abundantly
After planting the American blueberry , do not forget to water it abundantly. It will be good if we sprinkle the American blueberry bush with pine bark. The bark will keep the substrate moist, acidify it and protect the blueberry from freezing in winter.
In order to protect the base of the shoots and roots from frost, it is necessary to make a mound of bark, earth or peat at the foot of the blueberry bush in the fall, after the first frosts have occurred.
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
