Carter’s Garden Blog

I ❤️ blueberries! I eat them most everyday! They are great in oatmeal, cereal, salads, smoothies, pies, Ad infinitum… Blueberries rock!!! They are also a native fruit that grows well in many areas.

Here in the South with our long growing season & plentiful rainfall, growing blueberries is a ‘no-brainer’… Sure, I plant them in the field or around the orchard, but I also LOVE to use them as ornamental Landscape plantings! They make great fill in plants along a sunny foundation or a backdrop for a bird feeding area or even as a screening hedge! Blueberries are Very versatile 😊

Tips for Growing –

– One of the most important things to remember when growing blueberries is that they demand a very low PH (acidic 4.5 – 5.5 or so) to grow well & thrive. So yearly you have to check PH and add an acidifier like Sulfur, Aluminum Sulfate, Ammonium Sulfate, etc… I usually opt for the organic sulfur because I am eating these 🙂 AND, I think it gives a better, sweeter taste.

I recommend using an Organic Acidifier (Sulfur) to keep the PH low. This will make for healthy, vigorous Blueberries, that just taste great! | Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio | Jackson, TN

– If your planting Blueberries in our area, initial soil prep is key! Build up beds a little to aid in drainage. Till in some sand, peat and organic compost. Apply sulfur as needed based on PH test.

– Planting the right variety is huge!
Always choose Southern Rabbit eye varieties for success in W. TN. A few of my favorites are – Premier, Tifblue, Powder Blue & Climax. Fertilize with an organic fertilizer for fruit in late Winter/early Spring. Then I feed several times throughout the season with an organic compost tea and side dress mid season with a little composted manure. Mulching is very important too! Try crushed pine bark or pine needles. Both are acidic and work well.

– Click on this link below to learn about how to trim/prune your blueberries for better form & function! 👇🏻

https://savvygardening.com/pruning-blueberries/

PS: This is a great time to set out some blueberries! And, a great time to prune & apply compost & sulphur for PH to your existing bushes.

Good Luck! & Happy Gardening!