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.