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July
11, 2001
They
are pretty, easy to pick and the bushes are beautiful enough to be
part of a home landscaping scheme, especially in the fall when their
leaves turn a gorgeous shade of red. They are blueberries, and with
a bit of care both before and after planting, they will produce ample
quantities of delicious, vitamin-packed fruit for many years. Another
bonus of raising blueberries at home is ease of picking due to the
lack of thorns and the size of blueberry bushes. The varieties available
now are a far cry from the wild berries that were here from the earliest
days North America was being settled.
Careful attention to site preparation and pruning will produce plants
that yield picture-perfect berries. They also have a longer storage
life with retention of high quality than any of the other small fruits.
The increase in the number of U-pick farms in Yates County provides
people who love blueberries, but lack a spot for them on their home
grounds to harvest berries for fresh use, freezing and preserving.
One favorite seasonal snack is a bowl of individually frozen blueberries
munched on a hot summer day. In addition to their unique color, blueberries
come complete with "protective jackets." Storage life of
blueberries is greatly extended if they are not washed until use because
washing removes the natural protective coating.
Highbush blueberries are the most common types grown in this region.
A large number of highbush blueberries are available, and once established
properly, require a fairly low level of care during the year. Planting
a selection of varieties will yield more and larger fruit as well
as extending the season. The first step in establishing the fruit
in the home garden is to select a site where the bushes will not be
disturbed and away from high-traffic areas such as driveways and play
areas. Blueberries have some special requirements. One is a need for
acid soil. A pH of 4.5 to 5 is considered best. Another is the need
for ample organic matter in the soil.
Peat moss is often added to the planting hole before the bushes are
planted to assist in amending the pH, if necessary. If you are not
certain of your soil's pH, a sample may be taken to the Cooperative
Extension office for testing. Once the shrubs are planted, it is essential
to mulch them well. Unlike many other plants, blueberries have fine,
slow-growing roots that are very near to the surface of the soil.
Heavy mulching protects the roots and helps retain moisture.
Pruning must be done properly in order to allow the plants to produce
an ample crop of fruit. New plantings will not need pruning for two
or three years, but after that it is essential. Failing to prune blueberries
regularly will result in a crop of smaller berries and less of them.
Older canes are cut back to the ground in early spring. If winter
weather damage is evident, damaged canes should be cut back to undamaged
areas. Care should be taken when pruning any woody plants to use sharp
tools.
Harvesting in this area often starts in July and extends through early
September, making the season the longest of any of the small fruits.
Picking blueberries is a delight and should be done when the bushes
are dry to avoid removing their protective coating. The deepest blue
berries are often the sweetest and will separate easily from the bushes.
Eaten fresh out of hand, in fruit salad, pies, muffins or in a host
of other recipes, blueberries are a summer delight.
Cornell
Cooperative Extension Yates Association
Last updated: 7/11/01
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