Blueberry shrubs produce tasty fruit and are visually interesting additions to an edible landscape. In warm, Mediterranean climates, plant Southern highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum) blueberry varieties, which are hardy in U.S
Blueberry shrubs produce tasty fruit and are visually interesting additions to an edible landscape. In warm, Mediterranean climates, plant Southern highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum) blueberry varieties, which are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plant hardiness zones 5 through 10, or rabbiteye (Vaccinium ashei), which is hardy in USDA zones 7a through 9b. Those varieties don't need the same chilling hours as Northern highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum) varieties, which are hardy in zones 3 through 7. Southern highbush varieties are crosses between Northern highbush and rabbiteye and have the same scientific name as Northern highbush varieties. Select 2- to 3-year-old blueberry plants. Planting them at the correct time and properly are the first steps to growing healthy shrubs that produce fruit for many years.
Winter is the best time to plant blueberry shrubs in a mild, Mediterranean climate. The plants are dormant in winter, making planting and transplanting less stressful for them. Cool temperatures and natural precipitation make winter an ideal time to plant, too. It cuts down on hand-watering, and the blueberry shrubs have a few months to become established before summer's heat arrives. In areas where the ground freezes in winter, spring and fall are ideal planting times.
Spring through Fall Planting
Blueberry shrubs may be planted anytime of year if waiting for winter doesn't fit with your landscaping plans. Just pick a cool, overcast day to plant, or plant in the evening when it's cool. Newly planted blueberry shrubs need lots of water while they become established. New plants lack an extensive root system and die if allowed to dry out. In general, it's a good idea to check the plants' soil daily during hot weather and to water the soil whenever it starts to dry. Watering slowly and deeply is important because it allows the water to seep into the soil around the blueberry plants' roots.
Method for Planting
Blueberry plants need good soil drainage. Creating raised beds 8 to 18 inches tall and 3 to 4 feet apart will increase soil drainage. A spacing of 3 feet between plants is ideal for creating a continuous hedge. If you want to grow your blueberries as shrubs with space between each plant, space them 5 feet apart at planting time. When planting a blueberry shrub, set it in the soil so that the bases of its stems are level with the natural soil line or slightly above the natural soil line. Avoid planting blueberry shrubs too deep or their trunks can rot. Blueberry shrubs perform best in spots that receive a lot of direct sunlight every day.
Soil pH Before and After Planting
Soil pH is important for growing blueberry shrubs successfully. These acid-loving plants need a soil pH of 4.5 to 5.5. Using a soil test kit can help you determine the pH of your planting site's soil. If you want to increase soil's acidity before planting, add soil sulfur to the garden bed, and mix it into the top 8 inches of soil. The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources recommends using 3 to 7 pounds of soil s