SUGGESTIONS FOR ESTABLISHING A BLUEBERRY PLANTING IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA1 Charles M. Mainland Extension Horticultural Specialists May 1989 Leaflet No. 201 Site Selection a) Well-drained, sandy or loamy soils b) pH 4.0-5.0 -- high organic matter -- 3% greater c) Level or rolling land -- elevated area with good air drainage d) Possibilities for irrigation. Preparation of Land a) Soil test: Bring to a medium level of P before planting b) Eliminate problem weed species with herbicides or cultivation the year before planting. c) Bark humus or sawdust worked into soil to bring organic matter to 3% or greater if needed in the row (2-4 foot strip) well prepared before planting d) Set plants 5 feet apart in 9-10 foot rows in late winter or early spring (as soon as the soil can be worked). e) Sawdust mulch (4-6 inches deep) placed over row immediately after setting plants. f) Row middles should be in sod (fescue or bluegrass) ================================================================= HARVEST SEASON BERRY VARIETIES BEGINS ENDS SIZE COLOR *Weymouth 6-15 to 7-1 7-15 to 8-1 small dark blue FLAVOR: poor *Earliblue 6-15 to 7-1 7-11 to 7-28 medium med blue FLAVOR: good Spartan 6-21 to 7-6 7-21 to 8-7 large light blue FLAVOR: excellent Collins 6-22 to 7-7 7-22 to 8-8 med-large light blue FLAVOR: good Patriot 6-28 to 7-13 7-28 to 8-12 large med. blue FLAVOR: excellent Bluejay 6-30 to 7-15 7-30 to 8-20 med-large light blue FLAVOR: good, mild *Blueray 7-3 to 7-19 8-3 to 8-20 large dark blue FLAVOR: good *Bluecrop 7-7 to 7-23 8-13 to 8-29 med-large light blue FLAVOR: good *Berkeley 7-7 to 7-23 8-7 to 8-20 large light blue FLAVOR: fair, mild *Jersey 7-14 to 7-30 8-18 to 9-3 small light blue FLAVOR: good Coville 7-20 to 8-5 8-20 to 9-5 med-large med blue FLAVOR: good, tart Elliott 7-30 to 8-15 8-30 to 9-15 med light blue FLAVOR: good *Varieties that have been grown successfully in the mountain area. The other varieties are suggested for trial planting. Availability of Plants. Nurseries usually have ample supply of plants priced from 50 cents to $2.00 per plant depending on quantity, variety and size. Two-year-old plants are preferred. Additional plants may be obtained in later years from locally grown cuttings. Cultivation. Cultivate first year only to control weeds and grass. A 4-6 inch mulch of sawdust or bark helps control weeds and grass. Keep row middles mowed to conserved soil moisture and to keep groundcover under control. Fertilization. (Caution: Blueberry plants are easily damaged by too much fertilizer.) Acid forming fertilizers that have little limestone filler are desirable. Special azalea or rhododendron fertilizers meet this requirement, but the price maybe prohibitive for more than a few bushes. A standard 12-12-12, 10-10-10 or 8-8-8 can be used if a special blueberry fertilizer is not available. The high analysis fertilizers such as 12-12-12 generally have lower amounts of limestone filler than lower anlaysis fertilizers like 8-8-8. Ammonium nitrate (33.5-0-0) or ammonium sulfate (20.5-0-0) are desirable sources of supplemental nitrogen. If the soil pH is below 5.0, use ammonium nitrate, but use ammonium sulfate for more acid forming effect if the pH is above 5.0. Special attention should be given to leaf yellowing (complete area of young and old leaves) caused by nitrogen deficiency when sawdust or bark was combined with the planting soil. Organisms in the soil deplete the available nitrogen and cause a deficiency for the blueberry plant as the sawdust or bark decompose. First Year. Uniformly distribute 16 pounds of nitrogen per acre after the first flush of growth is complete (6-8 weeks after planting) within a band 1 foot on each side of the plant. The 16 pounds of nitrogen are supplied by 133, 160 or 200 pounds, respectively, of 12-12-12, 10-10-10 or 8-8-8. Fertilizer can also be applied by hand around individual bushes. Uniformly distribute 1/2 oz (1 tablespoon) of 12-12-12 within a circle 1 foot from the plant. Use proportionately more 10-10-10 or 8-8-8. Repeat applications using ammonium nitrate or ammonium sulfate every 4-6 weeks until July 1. Extend application intervals during dry periods until rainfall has totaled 4 inches. Use 50 pounds per acre of ammonium nitrate or 80 pounds per acre of ammonium sulfate in a 2 foot band (1 foot on each side of the bush). This rate corresponds to about 1/4 oz (1/2 tablespoon) ammonium nitrate or 3/8 oz (3/4 tablespoon) of ammonium sulfate within the circle 1 foot from the plant. Second Year. Double the first year rates, but increase the band width to 3 feet or the circle around individual plants to 1 1/2 feet. Bearing Plants. Apply 300-500 pounds per acre of 12-12-12 or an equivalent amount of 10-10-10 or 8-8-8 in a 3-4 foot band. For individual bushes, apply the equivalent of 1/2 pound (1 cup) of 12-12-12 within a circle 3 feet from the plant. Sidedress with 30 pounds of N (about 100 pounds of ammonium nitrate or 150 pounds of ammonium sulfate) per acre 4-6 weeks later. For individual bushes, this is 2 oz (1/4 cup) of ammonium nitrate or 3 oz (3/8 cup) of ammonium sulfate. Early Fruiting (places stress on young plants). Plants should not be allowed to fruit the first 2 years. Remove fruiting wood and weak growth during the dormant season. Insect and Disease Control. Insects and diseases have not been serious problems; however, check for damage periodically. Wild blueberries are common in western North Carolina; and, therefore, some pest problems may be expected at one time or another. 1For more detailed information, refer to N.C. Extension Circular AG-115, "Commercial Blueberry Production in N.C.". * * * * *