TyTy Nursery on How to Grow Atlanta’s Iconic Blueberries

Blueberries are a delicious and healthy treat, but they can be expensive when purchased in the grocery store. Commercially grown blueberries are picked quite early, meaning that their sweet flavor does not have time to develop properly. People who have not tried a home-grown blueberry or picked them directly from one of Atlanta’s numerous blueberry farms are encouraged to enjoy them. Ty Ty Nursery explains how home growers in Atlanta can take advantage of these gorgeous plants and enjoy the health benefits of the blueberry.

Atlanta is in the USDA Hardiness Zones of 7b and 8a. This means that plants need to be tolerant of an extreme annual minimum temperature of 5 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Plants must also be able to tolerate Atlanta’s warm and temperate summers.

There are several different blueberry varieties which will thrive in Atlanta’s climate. Choosing carefully among these plants will mean the best possible results when the berries are picked. The best type of blueberry to grow in the Atlanta area is the rabbiteye blueberry. This type of plant is native to the Georgia area and is the best variety for home growers. This includes Austin, Alapaha, Brightwell, Baldwin, and Centurion varieties.

Highbush varieties are better for commercial growers, since they ripen early in the season. They are also more vulnerable to birds and insects. Lowbush blueberries are more suited to climates like New England and the Midwest, where they will be properly chilled throughout the winter months.

Once you have selected the perfect blueberry variety for your needs, you will need to plan ahead for planting the bushes in the winter. Blueberries need sun to grow. They can tolerate being in the shade for up to half the day.

While you are preparing the land to best support your blueberry bushes, keep in mind that blueberries thrive in acidic soil. (4.5 to 5.2 pH) If you are not sure what your soil pH is, visit the county agricultural extension office in your area. They can also help you with more specific needs for blueberry bushes in Atlanta. If you need to lower the pH of your soil, you can use sulfur, but you need to apply it 6 months before planting time. Make sure that you do not use any commercial potting soil since these contain lime. This will raise the pH of your soil.

Plan out your blueberry patch by spacing your bushes 5 to 6 feet apart in a row. You will also need to place the rows 11 to 12 feet apart. This spacing may seem excessive, but blueberry bushes thrive when they are not crowded together.

To prepare your planting area, till the soil up to a foot deep. Combine pine bark or peat moss with the soil when you put the plant in the hole. As with any pot-bound plant, you must carefully release the roots before planting. When your plant is in the ground, prune it back by a third to a half. Remove all of the twigs and flower buds.

Blueberry bushes do not need to be fertilized until new growth appears. Use an azalea fertilizer. You should repeat the process in May and July.

For the first year, prune back any fruit and flowers that appear. This will enable your plant to put more of its energy into establishing itself.

To harvest your blueberries, wait until they have achieved a bright blue color. They should be hand-picked for best results. You will be able to experience the joy of a home-grown blueberry in the second or third year after you establish the plants.

Blueberries are an incredible source of antioxidants and have been touted as one of the healthiest fruits in the world. Ty Ty Nursery reminds readers that when they plant blueberries in Atlanta, they will be able to share the benefits of these beautiful plants with their friends and family.