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The climate and acidic soils of Western Washington are well suited to growing blueberries. March is a great time to prepare blueberry plants for a successful season.
When should blueberries be planted?
Blueberries should be planted either in fall by mid-October or in early spring after severe freeze danger has passed. When you receive your plants, check them to make sure that they look healthy and the roots are moist. For best results, planting should be done within a day or two of arrival.
Do blueberries grow well in Washington state?
If you live in Western Washington, the acidic soil of the Pacific Northwest and the cool weather make it just right for growing delicious, good-for-you blueberries and even if you don’t have much garden space, blueberries do great in containers, so you can enjoy a bumper crop if you have a sunny balcony or patio.
What blueberries grow best in Washington State?
Get It Growing: Growing blueberries WSU-recommended blueberry varieties for Western Washington. Earliblue. Spartan. Patriot. Bluejay. Bluecrop. Berkeley. Jersey.
How long does it take for a blueberry plant to produce blueberries?
Highbush blueberry plants usually require six to eight years to reach full production and range from 5 to 8 feet high at maturity. Highbush blueberry plants usually require six to eight years to reach full production and range from 5 to 8 feet high at maturity.
Do you need to plant 2 blueberry bushes?
Answer:Blueberry plants are self-fertile (each flower has the necessary male and female parts), however you still should buy more than one variety. That’s because a blueberry plant produces more berries and bigger berries when it cross pollinates with a different blueberry variety.
Do you need to cover blueberry bushes in the winter?
Protecting blueberries over winter by covering the plants and mulching around them can be beneficial. It is important when covering the plants to trap heat much like a small greenhouse. Also, keep your plants moist. Moist soil absorbs and retains more heat.
How much sun do blueberry bushes need?
Blueberry plants need full sun: Once you have your location selected, make sure that the location will get full sun, at least ¾ of the day. Blueberries will tolerate partial shade, especially late in the day.
Can you grow blueberries in your backyard?
Blueberries also do well in patio containers and offer a great way for apartment and condo dwellers and those with little or no yard to enjoy blueberries. Blueberries prefer acidic soils. A fail-safe way to grow blueberries in almost any soil is to incorporate peat moss into the planting medium.
How long is blueberry season in Washington?
Blueberries are generally available for picking from late June through September.
What kind of blueberry is the sweetest?
The sweetest blueberries are ones that come off the Northern or Southern Highbush. These blueberries are from the Eastern coast of the United States. The second sweetest blueberries are the legacy blueberries grown in the Northeast and across the Northern Midwest.
How hot can blueberries tolerate?
This bud stage can tolerate 24 to 27°F (-4.4 to -2.8°C). Plant part: Flower. Description: Most of the flowers on the bush have opened. The bloom stages can tolerate 28°F (-2.2°C).
How do you grow blueberries?
Planting Avoid areas surrounded by trees. Space blueberry plants about 3 feet apart. Plant young blueberry bushes in late April or early May. Dig the holes large enough to accommodate all the roots and deep enough so you can cover the uppermost roots with 3 to 4 inches of soil.
Do blueberries fruit the first year?
Blueberries will flower and fruit sparsely their first year in the ground, but it’s best to remove the first-year blossoms by hand. This keeps new blueberries focused on good root development instead of fruit and seeds. They’ll reward you with better harvests in years to come.
Where is the best place to plant blueberry bushes?
Select a sunny, sheltered spot. While blueberries are tolerant of shade, better crops are obtained in the sun. At the same time, they should not be exposed to harsh, drying winds. Don’t plant blueberries too close to trees, as the trees will not only block out sunlight, but will also suck up any moisture in the soil.
How do you winterize blueberry bushes?
Protect the blueberry bush from cold winter winds and ice damage by wrapping it in burlap. Start at the top of the plant and cover the bush with burlap, pinning the material together. Continue wrapping until the entire bush is covered. Leave the burlap on the blueberry bush until spring.
What can you not plant near blueberries?
Furthermore, you should take care not to allow any plant companions to shade your blueberry plants. Blueberries need full sun to thrive and would not do well with too much shade. Here’s what not to plant with blueberries: Nightshades – Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplants, Potatoes.
What should I not plant with blueberries?
What Not To Plant With Blueberries Tomatoes. One of the reasons tomatoes and blueberries do not make a great pair together is the growing requirements. Potatoes. Potatoes do not require the growing requirements as blueberries so they are best not planted together. Eggplants.
Are used coffee grounds good for blueberry bushes?
Coffee grounds are highly acidic, they note, so they should be reserved for acid-loving plants like azaleas and blueberries. And if your soil is already high in nitrogen, the extra boost from coffee grounds could stunt the growth of fruits and flowers.
