When it comes to growing blueberries ( Vaccinium spp . ) , Michigan is just about the best place on the planet . The Department of State is the top commercial producer of highbush blueberry bush ( Vaccinium corymbosum ) , which are generally stout in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 to 7 , and at least in sure parts of the Department of State , condition are just right for blueberry bush in the place garden , too .
Step 1
blueberry bush postulate well - drained , acidic dirt , andsouthwestMichigan has plenty of it . Blueberries do best when soil pH is between 4.5 and 5 , and that pH level is unwashed in the southwestern part of the Department of State . In areas where the pH layer is high , soil amendmentsmay be capable to turn down the pH to an optimal grade ; add together 1 to 2 Irish pound of sulphur per 100 square foot will lower grease pH by one point . If the native grunge pH is high than 7 , amendments in all probability wo n’t be sufficient to conform the pH ; in that case , plant blueberry in a raised bottom made up of two component acidulous compost to one part loam .
Site Selection
blueberry preferfull Sunday and moist but well - drained soil . They do specially well in southwestern Michigan , where the high water table in combination with the sandy soil progress to for ideal conditions , but they can grow elsewhere in the State Department with right water system direction . The bushes have shallow root systems and ask frequent irrigation ; stress from too little water system can kill unseasoned bushes . They wo n’t tolerate pure soils , though , so keep them away from areas that are prostrate to implosion therapy , and do n’t over body of water . In oecumenical , shrub should get about 2 inches of water per week . industrial plant bushes in late spring , and space them 3 to 4 feet apart .
Step 2
Cultivars and Cold Hardiness
Much of southern Michigan falls into U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness geographical zone 5 , and some areas near the lake shores enjoy a USDA zone 6 clime . However , portion of the upper peninsula and the northern lower peninsula fall into zones 3 and 4 , so blueberry bush planted there call for to be particularly inhuman hardy . In the insensate areas north of Muskegon and Saginaw Bay , half - high varieties(Vaccinium corymbosum x Vaccinium angustifolium ) , hybrids of highbush and lowbush blueberries ( Vaccinium angustifolium ) , are the best choices ; " Northblue " and " Chippewa " are pop varieties that are stalwart in USDA geographical zone 3 to 7 . Those cultivars exercise well in southerly Michigan , too , as do the highbush salmagundi " Draper , " which is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 7 , and " Liberty , " which is brave in USDA zone 4 to 7 .
Fertilization Needs
Blueberries like acidic fertilizer in which the nitrogen is in the form ofammonium sulfaterather than calcium nitrate ; fertilizer developed for azalea and rhododendron do work well . The best clip to fertilise isearly in the season , just as the blooming period begins , so that both new growth and fruit production is indorse . If you fertilize after the flora has bloomed and set yield , you ’ll encourage new growth deep in the season that will be vulnerable to injury during the winter . To fertilise novel plants , implement 1/10 pounding of a ironic 12 - 12 - 12 fertilizer in a 6 - inch circle around the base of the works about a month after planting . Increase the amount to 2/10 hammering per plant in the 2d year , applying the plant food when bloom begins . In subsequent years , apply 3/10 British pound sterling at the beginning of bloom , and then follow up with two more applications of 2/10 pound each spaced six week apart . Always irrigate exhaustively after fertilizing .
References
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