Blueberries could make a good fruit crop for home gardens since they require small space. At present, blueberry plants are not common in home plantings because the plants require highly acidic soil conditions for best results. Few backyard soils in most states are naturally acidic enough to grow quality blueberries which is why they are generally grown commercially in Maine and Oregon. The grower of blueberries must, therefore, make extra effort to acidify the soil before plant establishment. Then, the acidity level must be maintained over the life of the planting. Due to the special concerns associated with the rather demanding soil requirements of growing the crop, the soil must be amended with organic matter and the pH must be corrected before proceeding to establish the planting.

Blueberry plants begin to produce fruit in the third season; however, they do not become fully productive for about six years. Once in production, it is necessary to protect the fruit from loss to birds.

Blueberry Types and Cultivars
There are three main types of blueberries: highbush, rabbiteye, and southern highbush. Only highbush blueberry is recommended for Northern states. Rabbiteye and southern highbush blueberries are recommended for the southern United States. There are many good blueberry cultivars available. Highbush blueberries do not absolutely require two different cultivars for cross pollination purposes. However, bigger berries and higher yield will result from cross pollination, and thus it is desirable to plant at least two different cultivars.

Climatic Requirements
In general, the climate throughout most of the United States is suited to the production of blueberries. Plants are generally not hardy when temperatures drop below -20F. Very warm, mild climates will not have much luck with blueberries

Site and Soil Requirements for Blueberry Production
The highbush blueberry requires full sun for optimum yield and quality, and grows best where the soil is very acidic and well supplied with moisture. Soil pH should be in the range of 4 to 4.5 and have 4 to 7% organic matter or more.

On loam or clay loam soils, it is suggested that plants be grown on raised beds, 4 feet wide and 9 inches high for better water drainage. Such beds are not needed for production on sandy soils.

Soil Preparation
It is very important to test soil for pH. Also, increase soil organic matter by adding grass clippings, manure, or leaves.  Incorporate the materials into the top 4 to 6 inches as early as possible before planting.

Suggestions for Soil Acidification
If soil pH is above 4.5, apply 1-2 lbs. per 100 sq.ft of granular sulfur to lower soil pH. The material should be well mixed throughout the top 4 inches of soil, as early as three months before planting.

Planting
At planting, dig a hole 18 inches deep and 18 inches wide and mix 1 cubic foot of peat moss with top soil until the hole is filled 4 inches from the top. Set the plant and cover the roots with the remaining soil mix. In heavy soils, an equal amount of peat can be mixed with an equal amount of soil. Set plants 5 feet apart with rows 10 feet apart. Apply 4 inches of sawdust or wood-chip mulch in a 2 feet wide band after planting, and maintain a 4 inch depth and 4 feet band over the life of the planting.

Fertilizers
Fertilizers for blueberry production are best applied using soil test results as a guide. At planting, apply 1/2 to 2/3 pound of ammonium sulfate (or 10 to 16 ounces of 10-10-10) per 100 feet of row 4 weeks after planting. Keep fertilizer at least 6 inches away from plant.

In the second through twelfth years, apply 1 to 1.5 pounds of ammonium sulfate (2 to 3 pounds of 10-10-10) per 100 feet of row each year for fertility and acidity maintenance. Apply 0.5 pound of the ammonium sulfate at bloom, and the remaining 0.5 pound 4 to 6 weeks later. If plant leaves become yellowed, apply 2 to 3 ounces of ferrous sulfate or iron chelate (Ironite) around the base of the plants each year.

Watering
Blueberry bushes have very shallow root systems and are very sensitive to water fluctuations. They need at least 1 to 2 inches of water per week. In dry seasons, supplemental watering is essential to obtain good yields of high quality products. However, do not apply water after early September unless soil is very dry.

Pruning
Blueberry plants normally do not need to be pruned for the first three years. Remove blossoms that appear in the year of planting and second year after planting to stimulate vigorous growth.

It is important to know the anatomy of a blueberry bush before attempting to prune blueberries. During the fourth year, the dormant plants should be pruned in mid-March. At this time, remove dead and weak branches and thin, terminal wood with small buds. Prune interior crossing branches to admit light to the center of the plant.

In subsequent years, thin out older branches to force new growth. Tall-growing branches can be headed back and thin branches removed. Flower buds of blueberry bush are produced on tips and down the second year old shoots. Blueberry bushes tend to produce smaller berries when they are over loaded with fruits. Hence, it is important not to have too many flower buds.

Mulching
Generous use of mulches like pine straw, sawdust, or peat moss will help control weeds, conserve moisture, and keep roots cool. Increased organic matter from decomposing mulch will help improve soil structure and nutrient uptake of blueberry bush. Replenish mulch as needed to keep the mulch depth at 2 to 4 inches.