How To Plant Blueberries

1. Choose the Right Location

  • Full sun: 6–8+ hours daily
  • Well-drained soil: Blueberries hate “wet feet”
  • Keep plants away from tree roots, weeds, and grass, which compete for water and nutrients
  • Blueberries thrive in acidic soil
  • Aged nursery fines create ideal structure and help maintain proper pH
  • Ideal soil pH: 4.5–5.5

2. Spacing

  • Highbush blueberries: 3–6 feet apart
  • Rabbiteye blueberries: 6–8 feet apart
  • For hedgerows, plants may be spaced 3–4 feet apart
  • Keep rows 10–12 feet apart for airflow and easy picking

3. Planting Instructions

  1. Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot, but no deeper than 12–18 inches.
  2. Remove the native soil (you will not be using any of the native soil or add any other soil when planting the the blueberry plant) and replace with only aged nursery fines in the bottom of the hole.
  3. Before removing the plant from its pot, scrape off any fertilizer sitting on top of the soil.
  4. Set this fertilizer aside — it will be used later on top of the soil, not in the hole.
  5. Do NOT mix fertilizer into the planting hole. Blueberry roots are very sensitive.
  6. Remove the plant from the pot and gently loosen the outer roots.
  7. Place the plant so the top of the root ball sits ½–1 inch above the soil line.
    • Blueberries must NOT be planted too deep.
  8. Backfill with only aged nursery fines (you will not be using any of the native soil or add any other soil when planting the the blueberry plant) and gently press to remove air pockets.
  9. Spread the reserved fertilizer on top of the soil, never under or directly against the roots.
  10. Water deeply immediately after planting.
  11. Keep soil moist but never soggy.

4. Mulching

  • Apply 3–4 inches of aged nursery fines or pine needles over the root zone
  • Keep mulch a few inches away from the main stem

5. Fertilizing

  • Do NOT fertilize at planting
  • Use light applications only — blueberries are sensitive to overfeeding
  • Fertilize at bud break and again in July
  • Use an acid-loving fertilizer (such as azalea fertilizer)
  • Do not overfeed

Winter Watering for Blueberries

  • Blueberries go dormant in winter and use very little water
  • Roots can still dry out, especially in raised beds or aged nursery fines
  • Water only during extended dry periods
  • If there has been no rain for 2–3 weeks, give a light watering
  • A good winter watering amount is ½–1 gallon per plant, just enough to moisten the root zone

When to Skip Winter Watering

  • Soil is already moist under mulch
  • Ground is frozen or during freezing weather
  • After regular winter rainfall (most winters provide enough moisture)

Why Winter Watering Matters

  • Prevents root desiccation (drying out)
  • Helps plants tolerate cold snaps
  • Strengthens plants for early spring bud development

How Watering Affects Blueberry Production & Sweetness

1. Proper Watering = More Berries

During spring growth, flowering, and fruit set, blueberries need steady moisture. Consistent watering helps plants:

  • Produce more flowers
  • Prevent flower drop
  • Set more fruit clusters

Correct watering increases the total number of blueberries.

2. Proper Watering Helps Berries Get Sweeter

Sweetness comes from sunlight and photosynthesis, but water supports both.

  • Too little water during fruit fill: Small, sour, wrinkled berries
  • Too much water near harvest: Bland, watery berries

Key rule:

👉 Moist but never soggy soil = plumper, sweeter berries

3. Why Blueberries Respond Strongly to Water

Because of this, watering consistency affects flavor and yield more than with most other fruit bushes

Blueberries have shallow, fine roots concentrated in the top 6–12 inches of soil

These roots dry out quickly, especially in aged nursery fines, raised beds, and hot North Carolina summers