Best time to plant blueberries

The best time to grow blueberries is from October to November each year. At this time, the blueberry seedlings have stopped growing and no longer sprout new branches, and have basically entered a dormant period. Choosing to plant at this time will allow the blueberry seedlings to sprout new roots during the freezing period before winter arrives, laying a good foundation for next year's growth. In addition, if planting is completed before freezing, the blueberry seedlings will enter a completely dormant state. When the temperature warms up in spring, the seedlings will begin to take root. This can reduce damage during transplanting and increase the survival rate. Below is a detailed look at the best time to plant blueberries.

1. Best time to plant blueberries

In the south, blueberries can be planted in winter or spring, but autumn planting is more effective. Due to the mild winter climate in the south, seedlings are not easily affected by frost, which is different from the situation in the north, where they usually need to be planted in spring. In the autumn in the south, as the leaves fall, the roots of the planted blueberry seedlings heal quickly and can quickly grow new roots, which makes their growth far exceed that of the seedlings planted in the spring. In addition, seedlings planted in autumn have a longer acclimatization period until the spring of the following year, which helps to increase the survival rate.

In the north, due to the cold winters, blueberries are usually planted in spring to avoid frost damage caused by improper winter management. The best time for spring planting is from March to April, before the new buds of the seedlings begin to sprout. For potted seedlings, they can be planted after germination, but care must be taken to protect the root system and avoid damage.

2. Key points for blueberry planting

1. Soil and garden selection

To ensure the healthy growth of blueberries, it is important to choose soil with good looseness and air permeability. The ideal soil type is oily sandy soil, and well-drained flat or gently sloping land is more suitable, which is conducive to the development of blueberry roots. The organic matter content in the soil should be at least 5%. If it is insufficient, it can be supplemented by applying farmyard manure or commercial organic fertilizer . If the soil organic matter is too poor, you may consider leaving the land idle for a year and then deep plowing and planting after it recovers naturally. Blueberries have strict requirements on the pH of the soil, and the ideal pH range is 4.5-5.5. Before planting, be sure to test and adjust the soil pH to meet the growing needs of blueberries.

2. High ridge cultivation and reasonable planting

High ridge cultivation can improve soil permeability and water retention, and reduce the adverse effects of the rainy season on blueberry roots. The ridge height of the blueberry garden should be about 60 cm, and the ridge width is recommended to be 60 cm at the top and 1.2-1.5 meters at the bottom. The survival rate of autumn planting is generally higher than that of spring, so it is recommended to do it in autumn. The planting density of blueberries should be determined based on the results of field tests. Generally, 300 trees are planted per acre, and the seedling spacing is maintained at 0.8-1 meters * 2-2.2 meters. When transplanting, use acidic fertilizer as base fertilizer and make sure the fertilizer is thoroughly mixed with the soil. The planting depth should be such that the roots of the blueberry seedlings are level with the ground or slightly above the ground. After planting, be sure to water thoroughly, and if conditions permit, use fungal agents to dip or irrigate the roots to increase the survival rate.

In short, blueberries are planted in many areas of my country, and the planting time of blueberries in the north and south is different. You can consider it comprehensively based on the actual situation.