Gertens carries a wide variety of hardy blueberry shrubs. These plants deliver tasty berries and make lovely ornamental landscape shrubs. They require acidic soil, full sun and ample moisture to bear fruit.
‘Northblue’
They produce small, pink, bell-like flowers in spring and have glowing colors of orange in the fall. Extra protection in the winter may help to increase plant yields the following season.
‘Chippewa’ fall foliage
Growing blueberries successfully requires some soil management. The most important part!
- Get a soil test. You can get it tested through the University of MN Soil Lab for a fee, contact your local county extension or pick up an at-home soil testing kit sold in the Gertens lawn and garden department.
- Blueberries require acidic soil with a pH of 4-5. Most of our soils in Minnesota have a pH of 7, which is neutral.
- They prefer well drained soil.
Amending soils for correcting pH levels
- To lower the pH value of the soil, use a soil acidifying fertilizer such as Gertens Acid Loving Controlled Release Plant Food.
- The University of Minnesota advises not to use aluminum sulfate because it is too hard on the roots of blueberries.
- For continuous maintenance of the acidity level, pine needles and peat moss can be used as mulches to help keep the pH level where it needs to be.
Amending soil for drainage
- Clays soils are not suitable for growing blueberries. Amend them by adding 6-8 inches of course organic matter such as leaves, or compost into the top 6-12 inches of soil.
- The shallow root system of blueberries allows for them to be grown in raised beds.
Pollination
- More than one variety of blueberry plant is needed for pollination. For best fruit set, plant two or more varieties.
‘North Sky’
Maximizing fruit production
- De-flower your plants for the first two years. I know, it sounds painful, BUT you will be very glad you did as this will allow the slow growing shrub to develop fully for better fruit production.
And finally, plant in full sun, 6 to 8 hours and give them ample moisture!
The experts at Gertens are always available to answer your questions!
