Blueberry basics with Brad Johnson
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Every day, as I’m cleaning and filling water buckets, I see my blueberry bush in the middle of my yard, and notice the blueberries getting larger, while slowly darkening in color as they ripen. …Not soon enough!
According to blueberry.org, blueberries are native to eastern North America and humans have enjoyed them for 13,000 years, while the plants thrive in conditions that are also best for their relatives, rhododendrons and azaleas. North America grows nearly 1 billion pounds of blueberries annually.
Anticipating blueberry harvest season beginning in the next few weeks, let’s enjoy some blueberry ‘basics.’
Thinking outside of the blueberry ‘fruit’-box, most blueberry bushes grown for fruit may also be planted to form an attractive hedge or shrub border, plus they grow well in containers, according to southernliving.com. The leaves change color in the Fall to red, orange, and yellow, while the small, urn-shaped flowers produced in the Spring are white or pinkish, adding to the plant’s eye appeal.
Completing a soil test prior to planting blueberry bushes is imperative. Blueberry bushes are at their best growing in acidic soil (pH 4.5 to 5.5), because of having a primary root system, without the fine root hairs of most other plants. Acidic soil has large quantities of acid-loving bacteria which break down minerals to release iron, phosphates, and magnesium, which Blueberry plants quickly absorb through their root system. Blueberry plants with few leaves, plus fruit of small quantity and size are excellent visual indications the soil is not acidic enough. More about amending the soil next time.
Northeast Texas is in Hardiness Zone 8A, indicating that Southern Highbush Blueberries and Rabbiteye Blueberry varieties are best suited to this area, as they tolerate extended heat better than Northern Highbush varieties. Before buying a Blueberry variety, make sure it’s recommended for Hardiness Zone 8A.
Southern Highbush Blueberries are self-pollinating, but planting two different varieties helps with pollination and typically results in larger berries and greater yields. Typically a hybrid of Northern Highbush and Rabbiteye (native southern blueberries), varieties grow from two to six feet tall. They’re great for mild Winters and require minimal chill hours to bud and flower (chill hours are the number of hours that fall below 45 degrees Fahrenheit annually. Southern Highbush varieties generally require 200-400 chill hours). Blossoming in late Winter, they may require covering, as frost will damage the flowers.
Southern Highbush Blueberry varieties are best planted between Fall and Spring to help the root system mature before Summer heat. Space plants four feet apart as individual shrubs or three feet apart to form an informal hedge. Southern Highbush Blueberry varieties ripen up to a month earlier than Rabbiteye Blueberry varieties. Early season cultivars include: Blue Suede, Colibri, Emerald (may be more mid-season), Georgiagem, Jewel (may be more mid-season), Misty, O’Neal, Star, Sharpblue, and Sunshine Blue (may be more mid-season and tolerates higher soil pH). Mid-season cultivars: Biloxi, Blue Ridge, Jubilee, and Magnolia. Late season cultivars: Ozarkblue (require 800-1,000 chill hours), Southmoon, and Summit.
Rabbiteye Blueberries are native to the Southeastern United States and can grow six to 10 feet tall. They are generally taller and wider than Highbush varieties and ripen their large, light blue berries from May to August, depending on the location and variety. Where both Southern Highbush and Rabbiteye Blueberry varieties can be grown, Rabbiteye are easier to establish and maintain, but are more susceptible to very cold Winters. The berries have thicker skins and more obvious seeds. In order to bear fruit and cross-pollinate, Rabbiteye require two different varieties, while also requiring 400-600 chill hours. Plant Rabbiteye varieties six feet apart. Some early season cultivars: Austin, Beckyblue, Climax (may be more mid-season), Premier (may be more mid-season), and Woodward. Mid-season cultivars: Brightwell (may be later-season), Chaucer, Delite (may be later-season), and Powderblue (may be later-season). Late-season cultivars: Baldwin, Briteblue, Centurion (generally after Tifblue), Choice, and Tifblue.
Prairie View A&M University Cooperative Extension Program will be hosting a cattle, Chute-Side Best Management Practices Workshop, June 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Cross Brand Cowboy Church, 11915 FM 2015, Tyler, TX 75708. Topics will include: Vaccination strategies and techniques; Best management practices for beef cattle; NRCS program update; Alternative cattle markets; and Biosecurity procedures. The workshop is free, including lunch, but please RSVP to the Smith County Extension Office at 903-590-2980.
Brad Johnson is an Agriculture Agent for Prairie View A&M University Cooperative Extension Program in Hopkins and Red River Counties.
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