Step-by-Step Growing Guide
Blueberries are uniquely demanding in one critical respect: they require acidic soil with pH 4.5–5.5 — a range that most garden soils cannot provide naturally. Test soil pH first; if above 5.5, lower it by incorporating granular sulfur 6–12 months before planting. Pine needle mulch, acidic organic matter, and continued sulfur applications maintain pH. Plant 2-year-old bare-root or container plants in early spring, spacing highbush varieties 1.5m apart, in a permanent bed. Plant at least two different varieties for cross-pollination and significantly improved yields. Do not add nitrogen fertilizer the first year; thereafter, use acidifying ammonium sulfate-based fertilizers in spring only. Water at 2.5–4cm per week — blueberries have shallow, fibrous roots that dry out quickly; consistent moisture is non-negotiable. Mulch deeply (10–15cm) with pine bark or wood chips to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
