Thursday, September 22, 2011

Planting a Blueberry Tree

Blueberries are rich in vitamin C,iron, potassium and delicious ! However, they can be expensive to purchase, growing them in your own garden is a good idea. You'll get some exercise and have tasty fruits to enjoy as a bonus. They require an acidic soil, so it's a good idea to have your soil tested before planting.

 


Select a site for planting a blueberry bush. When looking for a site, keep in mind that blueberries need full sun and will not grow well in an area populated by trees. Blueberries also have specific soil needs. They grow in acidic soils, with optimal pH ranging from 4.5 to 5.5.

Dig a hole 18-inches deep and 18-inches wide using a shovel or small trowel.

Mix in 1-cubic foot of peat moss within the surrounding soil. Once it is well blended, fill the hole with the new soil mixture until the hole is 4-inches deep.

Place the blueberry bush in the hole, setting it down gently but firmly. Allow the roots to spread naturally careful not to break or damage them.

Fill in the hole with the remaining soil mixture. Tap it down firmly with your hands or feet to remove air pockets.

Water the bush well immediately after planting. Blueberries need 1 inch to 2 inches of water a week, so they will need regular waterings during dry spells.

Spread a layer of mulch 2-inches deep around the bush. Use either wood chips or sawdust for mulching.

Prune back the bush's branches by 30 percent after planting.Remove older wood leaving the new wood at the bottom behind.


Prune off any flower buds at planting time and continue to remove buds throughout the first growing season.

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