Gardening: Here’s how to get your blueberry on

Blueberries have become a very popular fruit for home gardeners. In some health circles, they are considered a superfood because of their high levels of antioxidants, fiber and vitamin C. To others, including myself, they are just plain good for eating right off the plant. As we roll into spring, here are a few tips about growing and caring for them.

First, blueberries need an acid soil to do well. Their ideal pH range is 5 to 6.5, a little lower than the average soil pH in our area. So if you are planning to plant blueberries for the first time, you will need to test your soil with an inexpensive test kit available online or in our local nurseries. This will give you a rough measure of what your soil currently is. If the test shows you are closer to 7 on the scale, pick up some granulated sulfur at a nursery and mix it into your planting bed. If you already have blueberry plants, sprinkle sulfur around the plants annually in the fall to keep your soil in good shape. Changing the acidity of soil is a slow process. So be patient.

Blueberries do well in raised beds filled with a quality compost. Their roots are shallow so they need the extra water-holding capacity that compost can offer. Lay out drip or microsprayer lines in the bed and set the system on a timer.

There are a lot of blueberry varieties on the market, and each has its own characteristics, so do some homework before you buy. Regardless, you will need two varieties for cross-pollination. Blueberry varieties fall into early, middle or late-season producers, so pick varieties that both fall into the same season.

Plant the bushes as soon as you can after purchasing them. The roots are fine and can dry quickly. Remove them from the package or pot, spread out the roots and cover them with soil. Check that the drip line is near the stem and water them in well. Mulch the bed with coarse wood chips or shredded pine needles to keep in the moisture. The wood chips won’t draw away nitrogen. Apply a rhododendron fertilizer in the spring and after the plants flower.

Blueberries won’t need much pruning for the first three to four years. They need all their leaves to get established. Mid-March is a good time to do your pruning. Your goal is to leave 10 to 15 canes on each plant. Start by identifying the strongest branches growing out of the base of the plant. Then remove any low, scraggly growth. These branches won’t get enough light to produce well. Next, remove stems that are growing back into the plant, rubbing on other branches or are growing off in a wild direction. Thin out some of the big, flat flower buds as this will help increase the size of the remaining fruit. This may seem counterintuitive, but it works.

Then get ready to enjoy the fruits of your labor.