Buzz
Before scientists discovered methods for cultivating blueberries in the early 20th century, the only way to enjoy this delicious fruit was to pick them from wild bushes. Today, you can easily grow all three main types of blueberries in various climate conditions. Blueberry plants are resistant to most pests and diseases, and they can bear fruit continuously during the summer for up to 20 years. Not only are blueberries easy to grow, but they also contain numerous antioxidants, adding a delightful taste and beautiful appearance to your garden. Follow the steps below to find the best variety of blueberries for your climate and start growing your own plants!
Steps
Select the Variety
Choose the type of blueberry you want to plant.
Chú ý rằng mỗi loại việt quất đều cần khoảng không gian khác nhau. Hãy trồng các cây tán thấp cách nhau một khoảng bằng 0,6 m, tán cao cách nhau 1,8 m, và chừng 4,6 m đối với cây mắt thỏ. Nếu bạn không có nhiều không gian để trồng việt quất, có lẽ bạn nên chọn giống tán thấp hoặc tán cao.
Chuẩn bị cho quá trình thụ phấn. Hoa việt quất có đủ cả nhị và nhụy, nhưng không phải hoa thuộc giống nào cũng có thể tự thụ phấn. Nếu bạn muốn chắc chắn cây việt quất được thụ phấn, hãy trồng nhiều giống và đặt chúng cách nhau khoảng 30 m. Làm vậy sẽ cho phép ong bay đến hút mật giữa các cây và giúp thụ phấn chéo.
Tạo Điều kiện Phù hợp
Chọn khu vực có đủ ánh sáng mặt trời. Cây ăn quả cần nhiều ánh sáng hết mức có thể, nhất là khi quả đang lớn.
Chắc chắn rằng đất của bạn thoát nước tốt.
Check the soil pH level.
Planting Blueberries
Purchase blueberry plants that are 2 to 3 years old to ensure you can harvest fruit sooner.
Plant the blueberries in early spring. The fruits will ripen by late summer.
Gently tap the blueberry plant with your wrist to loosen the root system. Do this around the edges of the pot, then tilt the pot and tap the bottom to ease the plant out. Support the plant with your hands, avoiding grasping the stem, as it could break the roots and damage the plant.
Space the blueberry plants apart. Plant the blueberry bushes 0.8 to 1.8 meters apart. If you plant them closer together, they will form continuous rows, but if you space them further apart, you will have individual clusters of plants.
Dig a hole for each plant. The hole should be just deep enough to allow the roots to be exposed about 2.5 to 5 cm above the soil surface (for a 2-year-old plant, the hole should be around 50 cm deep and 45 cm wide). You can use a garden shovel to dig the hole.
Place the plant into the hole and fill in the gaps with soil. Firmly tap the soil around the base of the plant to cover the exposed roots with about 1.5 cm of soil.
Add a 5 to 10 cm layer of mulch around the planting area. This helps retain moisture, prevent weeds, and enrich the soil. Pine bark, sawdust, and grass clippings are all good options for blueberries. Refresh the mulch every few years.
Water the area after planting.
Blueberry Care
Water the plant with 2.5 to 5 cm of water each week. Be careful not to overwater or cause waterlogging around the plant.
Pinch the plant’s tips every winter.
Fertilize the blueberry plants.
Check the pH level every two years. Remember, if the pH is below 4, you can increase the acidity by adding acid fertilizers or soil amendments. If the pH is above 4.5, mix in granulated sulfur to lower the pH.
Harvest blueberries in late July or early August. Some blueberry varieties, like the Rabbit Eye, require more time to fully ripen. The harvest season may vary slightly each year depending on weather conditions.
Tips
- Protect the blueberries with bird netting in early summer to prevent birds from eating the fruit.
- Blueberries are typically grown in cool, humid northern climates with cold winters and mild summers.
- If you have an abundance of ripe fruit, freeze them or make jam, as they do not last long after harvest.
