PLANTING BLUEBERRIES 
Blueberries should be set in an acid soil with Ph range 
of 4.0 to 5.1. This is the most important factor of a 
blueberry site. Type of soil may vary from muck to sand 
if the Ph is correct. Organic content of the soil is: also 
important. This material may be added ‘to the soil by the 
use of acid peat. 
The moisture content or water table is very important 
as they grow best when water table can be maintained 
from 14 to 24 inches below the surface. This may be aided 
by irrigation very profitably in dry seasons. Also in small 
plantings it may be found advantageous to use some form 
of acid mulch, as oak sawdust or leaves, or by adding 
acid peat to the top soil. 
The acidity may be increased by using some form of 
sulphur, or it may be reduced by the addition of limestone. 
The advice of your County Agricultural Agent is recom- 
mended on this matter. 
Irrigation water is also used as a frost preventative dur- 
ing blossom season with good success. 
Distance of planting for commercial plantings should be, 
rows ten feet apart and plants five feet apart in the row. 
Home gardens may be planted closer together. 
Planting time may be either Spring or Fall. 
Blueberries are very shallow rooted plants and should 
be cultivated shallow and often to conserve moisture and 
to keep the weeds down. A cover crop may be planted as: 
soon asi the berries are harvested, such as oats, sudam 
grass or mixtures. Plants should be kept clean for the 
control of Mummy Berry Disease. 
The use of a complete fertilizer of 8-8-8 or 3-9-18 or 
6-12-12, fertilizer made up of acid ingredients, is recom- 
mended, according to your type of soil. Some soils may 
need certain minor elements. It is best to obtain a com- 
plete soil analysis. 
Blueberry plants need not be pruned very mueh the 
first two or three years in the field. The heavier the prun- 
ing after that the less berries, the larger the berries, and 
the higher percentage of early berries, and the better buds 
for next year’s crop. 
Pruning may consist of removing dead and brokem 
branches and large clusters of thin, bushy wood that 
accumulates in older bushes, an occasional old stem that 
is not productive any longer. Remove branches that tend 
to bear close to the ground . 
Of the insects that work on berries, the Cranberry Fruit 
Worm and the Blackberry Fruit Fly or Maggot are the 
most feared. These may be controlled by dusting. Con- 
tact your State Entomology Department for control mea- 
sures. 
Stunt Disease causes plants to become dwarfed and. 
foliage small, mottled and cupped, berries small and worth- 
less. All infected plants should be removed and burned. 
Rogueing for this disease should be done at least twice 
during the growing season. 
Mummy Berry is a disease caused by a fungus infection, 
taking place mostly during blossom period if season is 
damp. Plowing under all top soil very early is the best 
control measure, and cultivating shallow frequently. 
Berries are picked in small containers, either pint boxes 
or small pails, graded and marketed either as fresh fruit 
or to processors. Production and marketing of this beau- 
tiful, delicious fruit is increasing rapidly. 
It may be used as an ornamental in your shrubbery and 
enjoyed both Summer and Winter. 
