DIY Network

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

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Blueberries are best pruned when they're dormant.

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In late winter or early spring, when there are no leaves or fruit on the plants, cut off any dead or injured wood (figure C) and remove the spindly growth near the base of the plant (figure D).

Figure C

Figure D

No matter what kind of blueberry bush you're trimming, make sure pruners are sharp and clean. Pruners can spread bacteria and diseases from plant to plant. To protect against this, periodically dip blades in full-strength rubbing alcohol or a 10 percent bleach solution.

How you prune also depends on whether you have highbush, rabbiteye or lowbush blueberries.

• Highbush blueberries naturally grow in a neat shape and can be productive for years without pruning. But you may want to prune the blueberry to make harvest more convenient or to encourage growth. Just remember that highbush shrubs produce fruit only on the old wood (the previous year's growth), so don't cut it way back.

• Rabbiteye blueberries will grow 20' tall if left unpruned, but they can easily be pruned keep their growth in check. To prune, thin out older canes (approximately six years or older) to make way for younger, more productive canes and to let more light into the center of the shrubs.

• Lowbush blueberries usually require little or no pruning.

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