Blueberries bring a unique combination of delicious fruit and striking, year round ornamental beauty to the garden and landscape. Theyre relatively easy to grow and require minimal care. By following just a few basic steps, your blueberry plants will thrive for many decades and provide you with abundant fruit every year. We highly recommend you read the Blueberries Simplifed section of our site for a primer on selecting varieties. Below are some basic tips to help ensure your success with blueberries:
Select a sunny location with well-drained soil that is free of weeds and is well-worked. Its best to locate your blueberry plants in an area where irrigation is readily available as best results will be achieved by keeping the root zone moist throughout the growing season.
Locations where the soil is not ideal or marginally-drained, raised beds are an excellent option. Blueberries also do well in patio containers and offer a great way for apartment and condo dwellers and those with little or no yard to enjoy growing blueberries.
Blueberries prefer acidic soils, ideally with a pH range between 4.5 and 5.5. Before planting, test the soil pH and make necessary adjustments to ensure it meets these acidic requirements. Lowering soil pH can be a gradual process, often achieved by adding sulfur or other acidifying agents.
Remember to talk to your local garden center. They’re experts in your area and can best advise you on soil amendments.
Blueberries are a delicious and nutritious fruit that can be grown easily in home gardens. Proper spacing of blueberry plants is essential for maximizing plant health pollination and fruit production. This comprehensive guide provides key considerations and recommendations for optimal blueberry plant spacing.
Why Blueberry Spacing Matters
Providing adequate space between blueberry plants serves several important purposes
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Allows bushes to reach mature size. Crowding stresses plants and reduces yields.
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Enables air circulation to prevent disease. Good airflow is key for plant health.
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Makes it easier to maintain and harvest. Spacing facilitates access for care and picking.
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Aids pollination. Cross-pollination produces more abundant fruit.
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Accommodates specific growing conditions. More space helps in humid climates.
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Optimizes light exposure and growth. Blueberry plants need full sun.
In short, proper spacing sets your blueberry planting up for success. It’s worth taking the time to plan blueberry spacing thoughtfully before planting.
Spacing Guidelines by Blueberry Type
Recommended blueberry plant spacing differs slightly depending on the type grown:
Northern Highbush
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4-6 feet apart for individual bushes.
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2-3 feet apart for hedgerows.
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8-10 feet between rows.
Southern Highbush
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5-6 feet apart.
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8-10 feet between rows.
Rabbiteye
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5-6 feet apart.
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10-12 feet between rows.
Half-high or Semi-dwarf
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3 feet apart.
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5 feet between rows.
Lowbush
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2-4 feet apart as a groundcover.
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Good for edging beds.
Blueberry Spacing for Specific Situations
Beyond the general guidelines above, you can fine-tune blueberry plant spacing for certain scenarios:
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For pollination – Alternate varieties in rows and space compatible types every 3 bushes.
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In raised beds – Allow 2-4 feet depending on variety and size of bed.
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For hedgerows – Space 2-2.5 feet apart in a single line and prune for compact growth.
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In containers – Allow 12-24 inches between pots sized to mature plant width.
Adjustments Based on Growing Conditions
Local climate impacts ideal blueberry spacing. Wider spacing improves air circulation in humid areas, while tighter spacing insulates plants in cold climates.
Allowing Room for Maintenance
Leave enough space between rows for mowing, pruning, mulching, and harvesting. Easy access encourages better care.
Getting Blueberry Spacing Right
With blueberries, resist the urge to cram too many plants into a small space. Crowding stresses bushes, reducing health and productivity. Using the guidelines above, allow adequate spacing for the varieties you select. Adapting plant distances to suit your specific growing conditions will lead to thriving, bountiful blueberry bushes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far apart should blueberry bushes be planted?
- 2-3 feet apart for hedgerows.
- 4-6 feet apart for individual bushes.
- 8-10 feet between rows.
What happens if you plant blueberries too close together?
Planting too close together prevents proper air circulation, causes overcrowding as plants mature, and makes maintenance nearly impossible. Yield and plant health will suffer.
How wide should a blueberry plant be?
Most blueberry varieties reach 3-4 feet wide at maturity. Spacing should allow bushes to reach optimal spread without crowding.
How do you maximize space with blueberries?
For small gardens, hedge-style planting at 2-2.5 foot spacing maximizes yields. But don’t plant too tightly or growth will be stunted.
Should you alternate blueberry varieties in rows?
Yes, alternating compatible pollinator varieties improves fruit set. Space different types at least every third bush.
How much space for blueberries in containers?
Allow 12-24 inches between blueberry plants in pots. Choose container sizes that match mature bush width.
Proper blueberry plant spacing provides room for growth while maximizing garden space. Follow the guidelines for your variety and adapt as needed for conditions. With the right plant distances, you’ll enjoy thriving, productive bushes.
Site Preparation for Planting Blueberries
A fail-safe way to grow blueberries in almost any soil is to incorporate peat moss into the planting medium. For planting directly in the ground:
- Work up a planting area approximately 2½ feet in diameter and 1 foot deep for each plant.
- Remove 1/3 to 1/2 of the soil.
- Add an equal amount of pre-moistened peat moss and mix well. (One 4 cubic foot compressed bale will usually be sufficient for 4-5 plants.)
- For raised beds mix equal volumes peat moss with bark (not cedar or redwood), compost or planting mix.
Blueberries can be planted as close as 2 – 2½ feet apart to form solid hedgerows or spaced up to 6 feet apart and grown individually. If planted in rows, allow 8 to 10 feet between the rows depending on equipment used for mowing or cultivating.
Ideal Seasons for Planting Blueberries
In most areas, it is ideal to plant in the fall or spring although in many regions you can plant year round.
If you purchased containerized blueberry plants, remove from pot and lightly roughen up the outside surface of the root ball. Mound the plant’s top soil about 1/2 inch higher than the existing ground and firm around root ball. Then mound soil up along sides of exposed root mass and water well.
Blueberries do best with 2-4 inches of mulch over the roots to conserve moisture, prevent weeds and add organic matter. Bark O Mulch, acid compost, sawdust and grass clippings all work well. Repeat every other year. Do not use bark or sawdust from cedar or redwood trees.
Its a good idea to allow blueberries to get established before allowing them to bear fruit. If you start with smaller plants, simply remove most of the flower blooms as they appear. In future years, blueberry plants should be heavily pruned each year to avoid over-fruiting which results in small fruit or poor growth.
In our three decades of experience at Fall Creek®, we know that one of the biggest mistakes home gardeners make with their blueberries is lack of pruning. We assure you that aggressive, annual pruning will result in healthier, more vigorous plants and more prolific fruit production. Here are some simple tips:
- Remove low growth around the base
- Remove the dead wood, leaving bright colored lateral branches. Cut out any short, discolored branches.
- Continue pruning until you have removed 1/3 to 1/2 of the wood out of your plants each year. Remember, this will promote growth and berry production so prune away!
Once established, blueberries like acid fertilizers such as rhododendron or azalea formulations. (Ask your local garden center for recommendations.) Take care when fertilizing, since blueberries are very sensitive to over-fertilization. Follow label instructions.
Its ideal to fertilize once in early spring and again in late spring. Be sure to always water thoroughly after fertilizing. For organic fertilizers, blood meal and cottonseed meal work well. Avoid using manures as they can damage the plants.
Blueberries require consistent and adequate watering to thrive. Provide about one inch of water throughout the growing season and increase it to around five inches while the fruit is ripening. This helps maintain optimal soil moisture for healthy plant development and fruitful yields.