Fresh Cut Christmas Trees Have Arrived! Call or Visit For More Information!

How to Grow Blueberries

Planting, Care and Pollination

Introduction to Blueberries 

Blueberries are one of the most versatile and healthy berries around!! They are high in vitamins, polyphenols and anthocyanins. Delicious eaten fresh off the shrub there is also a dizzying number of ways they can be used ranging from sweet to savoury and even feature in juices and wines.

History

The Vaccinium family of plants have been around for thousands of years and were an important part of the First Nations Community long before Europeans Colonized the area that came to be known as Canada. The Vaccinium family of plants are found around the globe at higher latitudes. Blueberries did not begin to be cultivated commercially until the beginning of the 20th century. There are now North American Blueberry cultivars grown in New Zealand and South America.

Container Growing

Container Growing Many blueberries can be grown in containers as long as their soil PH and moisture requirements are met. Companion planting with wild strawberries in a large pot (about the size of a half oak barrel) will help to hold in the moisture and the acidic PH will give the strawberries a great tangy flavour.
 

Pollination 

Many varieties are self fruitful but you will greatly increase your yield with more plants and multiple varieties with overlapping bloom times. A number of bee species pollinate blueberries including Bumble Bees and the smaller Blueberry Bee. Blueberry pollen releases with the specific vibration pitch from a bees wings.

Planting

Blueberries and the vaccinium family thrive in a loamy acidic soil with a PH between 4.3 and 4.8 with plenty of available moisture. Your blueberry plant will thrive with yearly applications of a composted mulch. Hemlock/fir/ pine blends are ideal. For best production of blueberries plant in a sunny position. A good blueberry food or Rhododendron food should be applied before and after bloom. It is critical that your new blueberry plant gets adequate water the first year to ensure proper root growth. Blueberry plants are slow to establish so be patient. Once established they will reward you for years to come!!

Pruning Blueberries

Pruning usually begins in year 2 or 3 of your blueberry’s life and pruning is done in the dormant season. Blueberries are slow growing and long lived so basic invigoration pruning is needed. Remove dead, diseased or damaged branches any time. Remember the 1/3 rule. Never remove more than 1/3 of your plant at one pruning. Remove a few of the oldest canes right to the base so that the new canes have a bit more room and food. This way you are always encouraging new growth.

Arts Nursery Logo
Address
8940 192nd Street,
Surrey, BC, Canada,
V4N 3W8

Phone
Tel: (604) 882-1201
General Email
info@artsnursery.com
Sales/Order Inquiries
orders@artsnursery.com
Contact Us
Contact Us
Visiting Us
Hours of Operation
Map & Directions

Art's Nursery is dog friendly

REG HOURS
Mon 9:00am - 5:00pm
Tue 9:00am - 5:00pm
Wed 9:00am - 5:00pm
Thu 9:00am - 5:00pm
Fri 9:00am - 5:00pm
Sat 9:00am - 5:00pm
Sun 9:00am - 5:00pm
Holidays 9:00am - 5:00pm

Art's is open all stat holidays except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years

KEEP IN TOUCH
Copyright (c) 2024 Art's Nursery Ltd.  | 8940 192nd Street, Surrey, BC, Canada, V4N 3W8  | tel: 604.882.1201  | SiteMap  | Privacy Statement |

Cart Preview

Your Cart Is Empty