DIY Network

Caring for Blueberries Here are tips on watering, fertilizing and pruning blueberry plants. From "Fresh From the Orchard" episode DFFO-107

On a trip to Whippoorwill Hollow Farm, we get expert advice on how to care for blueberry shrubs. We learn how to water, prune and fertilize plants and pick up valuable warning on the dangers of overfeeding your shrubs. We also learn how rubbing alcohol can help keep an orchard healthy.

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	Most fertilizers sold for azaleas or camellias are ammonium-based and are good choices for blueberries.
	Use fertilizer at low rates; keep it at least 6" from the plant's stem.

Fertilizing

The nitrogen in fertilizers comes in two basic forms: ammonium and nitrate. Typically, blueberries grow best with ammonium-based fertilizers.

Do not overfertilize: blueberries can easily be killed by excessive amounts of fertilizer.

Note that fertilizer should not be added to the hole when blueberries are planted. Instead, it's best to wait until the plants have been in the ground for several weeks before fertilizing, and then you should fertilize only lightly.

Watering

Blueberries grow best when they have a fairly steady supply of moisture; the plants are healthier and their fruits are larger and more plentiful. Plants especially need adequate water when they are getting established; once established, they can often get by without supplemental watering.

One good way to water blueberries is with an automatic drip system (figure A). Because the water is applied slowly on the ground in a drip system, there is little waste from runoff or evaporation. And you can put the emitters, or drippers, just where the plants need it (figure B). A timer will let you set your own watering schedule. You can find simple drip irrigation kits at most garden centers.

Figure A

Figure B

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