Blueberries

Nothing says summer like blueberry pancakes with blueberry syrup.
My sweet love is a huge lover of the blueberries. 

So I was excited to come across 2 plants last year that I planted in a Miracle Grow Peat Moss mix I bought from my local Home Depot.  Now I have seen that it is recommended to use the same soil bagged for Azaleas and Hydrangeas bec they have the right Ph/acidity that they need.

I had attempted to grow blueberries once before... I had one plant that I just stuck in the ground to see what would happen... well... that one DIED. 

Guilt ridden... I set out to try to figure out HOW to do it the right way... or at least one right way that wouldn't kill them.

So meet.... Sue and Lou
Both container grown blueberries.  I drilled holes in the container bottom and put rocks at the bottom so that they would have adequate drainage.

I hope this helps someone... I'm a list person so my brain can wrap around this format :)

(Disclaimer:  I am by no means a professional gardener...this is a list of what I have learned and my trial and error)

Blueberry Notes to Self
Sun love:  FULL SUN
Soil: Acidic
Ph:  4.5-5.5 to keep them happy and flourishing
Maturity:  2-3 yrs
Cross Pollinator (needs 2 plants)  *some varieties are self-pollinating so check

Feeding/Fertilizing
Feed monthly to keep the acidity up. 
Use an organic fertilizer w/o chemicals... so your fruit doesn't absorb it and YOU eat it (yuk).
Use acid fertilizers like Rhododendron or Azalea

***Blueberries are sensitive to Over Fertilization.
***DO NOT use MANURE.  it WILL DAMAGE THE PLANTS

Mulching
** Do NOT use bark from CEDAR or REDWOOD trees. 
Why??  I don't know... I have seen it listed in a few places in my research.

Mulch pot in summer using pine needles, pine bark or true cypress (mulch helps to preserve moisture and prevents weed growth)

Pruning

What I have seen recommended is to allow the  blueberry plants to get established before allowing them to bear fruit.  (why...?? I guess it allows them to get strong enough to hold the fruit...who knows)

Pruning every year helps to prevent over fruiting which results in small berries.

1.  Remove growth around the base.
2.  Remove dead wood, leaving bright lateral branches.  Cut out any short discolored branches.
3.  Prune until you have removed approx. 1/3 of the wood each year.
      This helps to promote growth and berry production


Here is another place for great Blueberry info including recipes and fun facts!! 
http://www.blueberrycouncil.org/about-blueberries/blueberry-season/