Garden Topics:
Blueberries in Pittsburgh - Tips for Growing a Super Crop
With its spring blooms and great red fall color the blueberry
bush is an outstanding ornamental shrub that just happens to
produce incredibly tasty fruit as a bonus. The Highbush
Blueberry seldom has few problems from either disease or insects
making it an ideal choice for organic gardeners. Blueberries are
normally trouble free if given well-drained, acidic soil amended
with plenty of organic compost.
Here are some tips to grow a bountiful crop of blueberries.
- When deciding the best variety to grow in your
Pittsburgh area garden, stop in or give us a call. We are
most happy to help. The most commonly grown blueberry
varieties are Highbush types which are hardy to zones 3
through 8. We are in Zone 5.
- Cross-pollination is required for blueberry. So to
ensure good pollination, plant at least 2 different
varieties.
- Blueberries ripen early, mid or late season depending on
the variety. By planting varieties that ripen at different
times one can extend the harvest for a longer period of
time.
- Plant your berries in full sun; they can grow in partial
shade but the berry crop will be reduced. Plant Low Bush
blueberries 2 feet apart (ground cover types), and Highbush
Blueberries 5 feet apart. Soil is the most important
consideration when preparing to plant blueberries. They must
have soil that is moist, well-drained, and high in organic
matter with a PH in the range of 4.5 to 5.0. A 4.5 PH is
extremely acidic, much more so than that which could occur
naturally. Get your soil tested. If you choose not to take
this advice, assume your soil has a PH of 6, and add Espoma
Sulfur to your soil in accordance to the directions on the
package. If plant foliage looses it’s dark green color, and
starts to yellow, re-test the soil and make corrections to
maintain the proper acidity. Blueberries have shallow roots
and are sensitive to waterlogged soil and fluctuating
moisture. They need to be moist but well-drained with 1 to 2
inches of water per week and supplemental watering during
drought periods. Mulching will help conserve moisture.
- Blueberries will readily take in nutrients provided by
organic fertilizers. Use high quality compost such as “Black
Forest” organic soil mix, and a good organic blueberry
fertilizer like “Espoma Holly Tone” to provide all fertility
needs. Be aware that the roots are not very extensive, so
don’t apply amendments beyond the plant canopy.
- It is not necessary to prune blueberry shrubs for the
first 3 to 4 years. We remove all blooms from plants under
two feet in height to encourage more vigorous plant growth.
Taller plants don’t require this de-budding practice. After
the plants become established, prune as needed in late
winter through mid March. Remove dead, weak and crossing
branches, and thin out older branches to force new growth.
Try to maintain about 12 canes per plant that are a mix of
different ages. Flower buds are produced on the tips and
down the canes of second year old shoots and the most
fruitful canes are 4 to 6 years old and 1 to 1 ½-inches in
diameter at the base.
- The berries will ripen over several weeks. Allow the
berries to fully ripen on the plant. Their full flavor and
aroma actually peaks a few days after they turn blue. To
freeze spread them out in a single layer on a baking sheet
and place in the freezer for about an hour then pack into
plastic freezer containers.
- Our blueberry season here in the Pittsburgh area
normally runs from 10 July through 10 August. Call
412-364-8270 for the latest picking information.
1120 Roosevelt Rd. Pittsburgh, Pa. 15237 Ph.
412-364-8270
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