Did you plant blueberry bushes this spring? Learn how to keep them healthy with simple summer care tips, including watering, mulching, and pruning so plants will continue to thrive and produce lots of sweet and plump berries.
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We started planting our fruit container garden last spring. Since we already grow strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries, I knew I wanted to add blueberries to the mix. We purchased a Duke blueberry bush and planted it in a large barrel container.
Because the plant spent its first season establishing roots and settling into its new home, we didn't get any berries that year. But it was worth the wait! This season, we've been picking daily handfuls of plump, delicious blueberries from that one bush alone.
While planning our garden this year, I decided I wanted to add even more blueberries to our yard. We ended up adding a Pink Lemonade blueberry bush and Midnight Cascade blueberry bush, both from FastGrowingTrees.
Just a few months after planting, the Pink Lemonade bush is significantly larger, and we're already picking berries off of the Midnight Cascade blueberry bush. Planting them early in the season gave the roots plenty of time to establish before the weather warmed up. We also made sure to plant them in a sunny spot, have watered them regularly, and fertilized based on their growing needs.
When to Plant Blueberry Bushes
The window for planting has pretty much closed here in Jersey. Any other fruit bushes or trees I decided to add to the garden this year will likely have to wait until fall. While there's no definitive rule that says you can't plant blueberries in summer, doing so requires a bit more attention and care to help plants adjust to the intense heat.
- Ideal planting time: Plant blueberry bushes in spring after the danger of frost has passed or in fall when cooler temperatures allow roots to establish before winter arrives.
- Planting in summer: If you bring home a blueberry bush during the summer months, place it in a shaded or partially shaded area for a few days to help it acclimate. Then plant it in the ground or a large container, water thoroughly, and add mulch around the base to help retain moisture.
Blueberry Bush Summer Plant Care Tips
Depending on the variety, blueberry season typically begins in June and can continue through August. As the temperatures rise, a little extra TLC can help keep your bushes healthy and thriving.
- Water consistently: Blueberry bushes prefer consistently moist soil, especially during hot weather. Water deeply rather than frequently to encourage strong root growth. Try to water the base of the plant instead of the leaves, which increases the risk of disease. If you notice leaves beginning to droop, your plant is most likely telling you it needs a drink.
- Refresh mulch: If you mulched in the spring, consider adding a fresh layer in summer. Mulching helps regulate the soil temperature, suppress weeds, and retain moisture around the root system of blueberry bushes.
- Remove weeds: Whether your blueberries are growing in containers or in the ground, weeds can compete for water and nutrients. Pull weeds regularly to keep your plants healthy and productive.
- Protect your berries: You know who loves blueberries almost as much as gardeners do? Birds! If you'd rather keep your harvest for yourself, cover bushes with fine-mesh bird netting (we cover ours with chicken wire cages) just as berries begin to turn blue.
- Save pruning for winter: Prune blueberry bushes in late winter while the plant is dormant. During the growing season, maintain the plant by removing dead, damaged, or diseases branches.
If you've planted a blueberry bush recently, focus on helping it establish strong roots through regular watering and mulching. Once the plant is established, regular spring fertilizing will support healthy growth and fruit production.
Save 20% on These Plants and More!
If you'd like to add a blueberry bush to your garden - or shop the varieties mentioned in this post - visit FastGrowingTrees. New customers can save 20% with the code FGTHOLOKA20. Your plant purchase also includes care tips specifically for the plants you purchased. Plus, FastGrowingTrees has a 1-year guarantee and will provide a replacement plant should it die within the year of purchase. Their live customer service chat is very helpful, too.
