Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →

How to Plant Blueberry Bushes in Alabama

...
blueberries 2 image by James Lewis from Fotolia.com

The blueberry bush is a perennial plant with hardy varieties available for most growing areas in North America. The rabbiteye blueberry species is native to the southern United States and grows well in Alabama as this variety has few problems with pests. Rabbiteye blueberries are available in early, mid and late season ripening varieties. Plant several variety types in the home garden to lengthen the harvest season and have fresh blueberries throughout the summer.

Select a growing area in the home garden that has a well-aerated and draining soil. The area must receive at least six hours of direct sunlight for best results.

Test the garden soil as blueberry plants grow best in an acidic soil with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5. Work ground rock sulfur into the soil to a dept of 6 to 8 inches to lower the soil pH. Apply water to assist with absorption and let the soil rest for two weeks before planting.

  • The blueberry bush is a perennial plant with hardy varieties available for most growing areas in North America.
  • Plant several variety types in the home garden to lengthen the harvest season and have fresh blueberries throughout the summer.

Work 2 to 3 inches of organic compost into the soil to a depth of 10 inches with a tiller. This will increase the nutrient value and water-draining properties of the soil. Alabama has a silty loam soil that benefits from adding organic matter.

Dig a planting hole for the blueberry bush that is two times as wide as and slightly deeper than the root ball. Add a layer of organic compost into the hole and set the plant on top so the root ball is approximately 1/2 inch below the soil surface.

Fill the hole halfway with soil and add water to compact it around the root ball. Fill the remaining hole area once the water absorbs into the surround soil. Water the planting area well to compact the soil and moisten the root ball.

  • Work 2 to 3 inches of organic compost into the soil to a depth of 10 inches with a tiller.
  • Add a layer of organic compost into the hole and set the plant on top so the root ball is approximately 1/2 inch below the soil surface.

Prune to remove 1/3 to 1/2 the branch length. This will allow the plant to put energy into root establish and stimulate new branch growth. Remove blossoms that form the first two growing seasons to force energy into branch and foliage growth, as this will increase future berry production.

Provide supplemental water to the blueberries plants during the spring and summer growing season. Blueberry bushes require 1 to 2 inches of water each week for best production.

Apply a 2 to 4 inch layer of sawdust or bark mulch over the root ball area of the blueberry bushes. This will increase moisture retention and limit weed growth that competes with moisture.

  • Prune to remove 1/3 to 1/2 the branch length.
  • Remove blossoms that form the first two growing seasons to force energy into branch and foliage growth, as this will increase future berry production.

Tip

Apply a slow-release, high-acid fertilizer each spring after the first year of growth. Blueberries do not require additional fertilizer applications as over-fertilizing can damage the shallow root system.

Place netting over the blueberry plants during berry production to prevent loss to birds.

Related Articles

How to Transplant a Mature Blueberry Bush
How to Transplant a Mature Blueberry Bush
How to Plant Blueberry Bushes in Illinois
How to Plant Blueberry Bushes in Illinois
How to Grow Strawberry Plants in Alabama
How to Grow Strawberry Plants in Alabama
Growing a High Bush Blueberry in South Dakota
Growing a High Bush Blueberry in South Dakota
How to Grow Blackberries in Pennsylvania
How to Grow Blackberries in Pennsylvania
How to Plant Blackberries in Georgia
How to Plant Blackberries in Georgia
How to Plant Blackberries in Oklahoma
How to Plant Blackberries in Oklahoma
Information on Blueray Blueberry Bushes
Information on Blueray Blueberry Bushes
How to Plant Strawberries in Texas
How to Plant Strawberries in Texas
How to Grow Highbush Cranberry
How to Grow Highbush Cranberry
Growing Azaleas in Georgia
Growing Azaleas in Georgia
How to Grow Blueberries in Ohio
How to Grow Blueberries in Ohio
How to Plant Blueberry Bushes in Kansas
How to Plant Blueberry Bushes in Kansas
How to Plant Strawberries in Florida
How to Plant Strawberries in Florida
How to Grow a Misty Blueberry Plant
How to Grow a Misty Blueberry Plant
How to Plant Strawberries in Louisiana
How to Plant Strawberries in Louisiana
How to Grow Blueberries in Maryland
How to Grow Blueberries in Maryland
How to Grow Blackberry Bushes in Minnesota
How to Grow Blackberry Bushes in Minnesota
How to Grow Blueberries in Hawaii
How to Grow Blueberries in Hawaii
Garden Guides
×