There is nothing better than growing your own blueberries right in your own backyard. They are easy to care for and produce lots of fresh berries each summer. Blueberries are not just delicious, they are also full of all kinds of nutrients, antioxidants, and fiber. They are good and good for you.
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Nothing quite says summer to us like fresh blueberries. Everyone in the family loves them and we can't get enough. We go to local blueberry farms during harvest season, pick up at our farmers market and grow our own!
Berries can be so expensive in the grocery stores. And I don't know about you, but when I spend $5 on a small container of berries that get devoured in about 5 minutes, it just doesn't seem worth it.
What if I told you that you could have endless berries all summer long? That each morning you can go pick that container size for FREE from your own yard? Day after day.
Well, that is the case with my blueberry garden. I have 6 plants that produce hand fulls of blueberries daily throughout the summer. We get so many blueberries from our plants that we even freeze them for the winter months.
I am sharing all my tips for growing your own blueberry plants in your own home garden this summer! They are one of the easiest fruit you could grow.
Why You Should Grow Blueberry Plants?
They Are Easy to Care For
When it comes to my garden, and choosing what plants I grow, I follow two basic rules: Does it produce food, and is it easy to maintain? I have two young kids that keep me very busy so I really do not have time every day to spend maintaining plants.
I like to water first thing in the morning and maybe pull a weed here or there. But that's really all I have time for.
Blueberries fit both of these criteria. Besides basic pruning and fertilizer in early spring, they don't require a lot of care.
They get Bigger and Better Every Year
When you get your first blueberry plants do not be surprised if you get only a few berries (or non at all). This is very common. The plant needs to spend its first few seasons developing a strong root system and doesn't have the ability to produce large amounts of berries.
It's recommended that you pull the flower buds for the first couple of years to prevent berries from developing. This is so the plant can spend its energy on strong root development those first years.
Do not give up! Berries are a long game and year after year they will just come back bigger and better.
My 2020 blueberry season was the year they took off. We harvested around 8lb of fresh berries. And this does not count for what was consumed right off the plants. I didn't keep track of the previous season but I guarantee you it wasn't even half that.
If you care for your blueberry plants they will keep returning with bigger harvests each year.
Fresh Berries all Summer (and Winter) Long
Blueberries are the perfect summer snack but can get really pricey if not in season. Growing your own means you could have access to hand fulls of blueberries all summer long.
Different blueberry varieties will produce fruit at different times during the summer. Pick your plants right and you can have fresh berries from July to September. More on that later.
They Freeze Really Well
Blueberries are so easy to freeze and work so well in baked goods such as scones. We make these blueberry lemon scones or beet and blueberry smoothies all winter long from our homegrown blueberries.
Freezing blueberries is a very simple process. You do not want to just throw them in your freezer bag and toss it into in freezer. This will result in the berries getting smashed and turning into one big brick of berries. Here is the best way to freeze berries:
Frozen berries will last a year in the freezer.
They look good
This may not necessarily be true in the winter, but blueberry plants are so pretty in the spring and summer months and the fall leaves are just stunning.
Consider blueberry bushes instead of other shrubs to your landscaping.
How to Grow Blueberries
For more information on the blueberry growing conditions in your zone reference the USDA hardiness map.
Grow Multiple Varieties of Blueberries
Blueberry plants need at least two varieties for pollinating. So if you are considering growing blueberries select at least two varieties to ensure proper pollination. This is very common in fruit trees as well.
If there are not at least two varieties the flowers will die off and the berry will never form.
When selecting your blueberry plants make sure you get 2-3 different varieties and plant them next to each other.
I also like to get plants that produce fruit at different times during the summer. This ensures that we have berries from July-September.
Blueberries come in a variety of seasons. Meaning the fruit is ready at different points in the summer. Some include: very early, early, mid, late, and very late season. Planting one in each season will extend the time you have fresh summer blueberries. When one of my plants is done the other is just ripening. Pay attention to this when selecting your varieties.
Container or Ground
Blueberries are very versatile and can be grown in containers or straight in the ground depending on the variety.
Containers are a great option when you are unable to plant right in the ground. Again just make sure you have at least two different plants going at the same time, in the same area. Look for container-friendly blueberries when selecting your plants.
If planting in the ground, it is best to raise your bed around 12". Blueberries need good drainage so if the ground is on the rocky or clay side this is highly encouraged.
How to Plant Blueberries
Blueberry plants have a very long lifespan, some living up to 40-50 years! Because of this, it's important that you take the proper care when you first plant to ensure they have the longest, healthiest life they can.
But don't stress! The plant will come with all the planting information you need. And if purchased from a nursery they will be very knowledgeable about what nutrients are needed for your particular situation.
Full Sun
Blueberries require full sun to grow properly. Keep this in mind as you are selecting a spot to plant your blueberries. Select a spot that gets 6-8 hours of direct sunlight.
Try not to plant around trees, buildings, or other large structures that can block the sun.
Soil
Blueberries are an acid-loving plant with a soil pH of around 4.0-5.0. When planting your blueberries add in peat moss and some soil amendments to help develop a healthy root system.
They also require well-draining soil so make sure you don't plant in tough soil or clay.
This will be different for every gardening zone. Consider speaking to your local nursery or county extension to determine what is best used for your area or for your particular soil. Or consider getting a soil test prior to planting so you know exactly what needs to be added.
Remember, these plants will last you almost 40 years so it's worth taking these extra steps to ensure you get the most out of these plants as you can.
Water
Blueberries have shallow roots and require around 1-2 inches of water each week. If the weather is hot and not raining as much this may need to be increased.
It is also recommended to have a few inches of wood or straw mulch on your blueberries. This will help retain moisture and keep out weeds.
How to Care for Blueberries
Blueberries require very little care and why they are one of my favorite things to grow. Just a little pruning and paying attention to the soil each season will give your plants a long healthy life.
Pruning
Blueberries do require pruning at the start of each season. Just make sure your plants are at least 4-5 years old before the first prune. This is to make sure the plant has a healthy root system and growing well.
The best video on pruning your blueberries is from Melissa K. Norris. I pruned my blueberries for the first a few years ago, and my plants have never looked healthier or produced so much fruit.
I was very nervous and overwhelmed to prune for the first time but Melissa's video took all the guesswork out of it for me and was really easy to follow.
Feeding your Blueberries
Blueberries are very hardy plants but do require some additional nutrients. They are also sensitive to over-fertilization so there is a fine balance when fertilizing your blueberries.
Nitrogen-rich fertilizers are ideal such as blood meal, fish meal, or azalea/rhododendron fertilizer. I just apply used coffee grounds once every spring to add a little more acid to the soil.
Provide Support
Weaker blueberry branches may be unable to withstand the weight of all those berries. Support may be necessary. Especially for younger plants.
I use these garden steaks to hold up my branches that may droop from too much weight.
Watch the Birds
Berries are not just loved by us but by wildlife as well. Birds love ripe fruit and will beat you to them if given the chance.
I personally have not experienced this issue, but others will have their entire harvest taken by birds.
There are things you can do!
Consider some bird deterrents such as a scarecrow or reflective tape. You can also put netting around your plants once the berries start to mature. Typically, if you are picking every day this should not be an issue.
Other Blueberry Resources
4 Ways to tell Blueberries are Ripe and How to Pick
Recipes to Make With Your Home Grown Blueberries
If you by chance have some blueberries left over here are some recipes I like to make with mine. Adding fresh fruit to baked goods, smoothies, salads, and other dishes is a great way to add a little taste of summer and sweetness to your dish.
I would love to hear if you are considering growing your own blueberries this year! Leave me a comment below and share your progress.
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Gardening Resources
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We grow blueberries too and I'm always on the hunt for new recipes. I'm interested to try your beet and blueberry smoothie recipe!
It's a great way to incorporate beets and the blueberries really compliment them. Hope you enjoy it!