BlueBerry Plants 101

Ever considered growing your own berries? Berries are an important part of a homestead, they are considerably easy to grow, yield high outputs if cared for properly, and can be used in a variety of canned goods and wines. The first berry you may consider planting is the blue berry, with many varieties everyone can find a type that fits their farm and climate best. Blue berry bushes add beauty and a good source of food to your farm. In spring they have nice little bell flowers that have a nice light aroma. In summer they have bright green and blue berries strewn among their branches and in winter their branches turn to a bright scarlet color which really stands out among the bleak winter landscape. Fall is the perfect time to plant these amazing bushes. Dig a hole about 2-3 times the size of the bucket your plant came in. For best results in planting shred up oak leaves and put them in the bottom of the hole you dug for your plant. Place the bush inside the hole, be careful not to cover up much more stem then was showing while in it's container. Pack potting soil around the plant and finish covering the hole with the pre-existing soil, be careful not to pack it to tight, it might act as a pond causing water to puddle instead of draining towards the roots. After planted consider loosely tying it to a stake. This is just to assist in the establishment of the plant by helping it support itself through violent weather. Mulch around the base of the plant about a 1-2 foot diameter all the way around with pine needles. Water heavily and frequently for the first few days. By planting blueberry bushes in the fall it provides all winter for them to adjust and by spring they will be ready to bloom and produce wonderful yields of fruit. Remember to be patient, Blueberry plants don't truly mature till 3 years of age, meaning the first year or two your yield may be just a hand full. In spring it is recommended to net the berries in order to prevent birds from eating all the crop. Blueberries will dry up if they do not receive enough water. Water at least once a weak if not every other day in the dry seasons.