Blueberry Farming Curriculum Featuring Millbank Urban Educational Farm

Apr 11

6 min read

Module 1: Blueberry Farming Curriculum

Objective: Understand the basics of blueberry farming and its benefits.

Nutritional Benefits: Blueberries are high in antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, making them a healthy addition to any diet.

Climate Needs: Blueberries thrive in regions with cold winters and mild summers. They require a period of dormancy during winter to produce fruit in the spring. Additionally, you should choose a location with full sun exposure, good air circulation, and avoid low-lying areas where frost can settle.

Soil Testing and Amendment: You should regularly test your soil's pH and nutrient levels. Should you need to lower your soil's pH levels, you can amend the soil with sulfur or peat moss. Additional tips include:

Blueberries require acidic soil with a pH level between 4 and 5
Most edibles prefer a soil pH that is close to neutral, or 7.0. However, blueberries are acid-loving plants and perform best in soil that is in the 4.0-5.5 pH range.
Inexpensive soil tests are available through your local county extension office, but the results may take a few weeks. Therefore, it is recommended that you do not delay testing your soil if you plan to incorporate blueberries into your gardens.
Soil test results will include both a pH level and detailed description of the soil's fertility, with recommendations of what soil amendments to add.
Acidic organic materials, such as pine needles or oak leaves, will have little impact and are not sufficient to acidify soil for the long-term. It is essential to add sulfur, which is an organic soil acidifier available as a powder or pellets.
Pelletized sulfur is both less expensive and safer for the home gardener.
Be aware of powdered sulfur as it can be inhaled and possibly cause respiratory issues.
The soil test results will detail the correct amount of sulfur to add.
Keep in mind that sandy soil will require significantly less acidifier than clay soil.
It is important to perform a soil test every two years, adjusting the pH, as soil will naturally return to its native pH levels.
It is recommended to spread the sulfur over the soil where you intend to plant blueberries. As you dig the planting hole, the sulfur will incorporate with the soil.

Planting Blueberry Bushes and Selecting Quality Plants for Growth: At the Millbank Urban Educational Farm, four different types of blueberry bushes were planted by Dr. Sauls to increase pollination and the overall fruiting season. The following bushes were successfully planted:

Austin: This large berry is considered the best when considering all cultivars of the "rabbiteye" varieties. The shoots of the Austin blueberry are a bright aqua-green color with bluish overtones and can emerge rapidly during rainy seasons. The foliage of the Austin blueberry is dense and a cluster of these berries often contain 20 or more. When harvesting the Austin blueberry, the clusters of the berries can be easily picked off the branches, leaving no scars when detached. Many new plantings of this berry have been made commercially, because they often ripen a week earlier than other standard berries.
Delite: This blueberry plant is a berry that ripens in late June and July. Occasionally, the Delite blueberries will maintain a pinkish or red tinge when fully ripened. Because of its delicious flavor, the Delite is preferred to be eaten fresh. Blueberries are rich in antioxidants, so eating blueberries can extend life by neutralizing the harmful effects of free radicals (a chemical radical that is electrically charged) that are believed to damage the heart and initiate malignant cancer cells.
Briteblue: The Briteblue bush begins to ripen during the last week of May and extend through July, growing to about 4 feet in height. The large size and enormous production yields of this blueberry plant is perfect for the home gardener. This type of bush also promotes blueberry pollination, resulting in reliable blueberry yields every season.
Tifblue: Introduced by Otis J. Woodard and the USDA at the University of Georgia Experiment Station, this hybrid bush was a classic breakthrough in the interactive hybridization of collections gathered from Georgia and Florida. This Southern style blueberry plant grows very well in the Southern regions of the United States and produces the sweetest flavored clusters of berries when the bushes are planted in full sun.

Planting Techniques: Plant blueberries in early spring or late fall. Space bushes 4 to 5 feet apart in rows of 8 to 10 feet apart. Plant at the same depth as they were in the nursery container.

Start with at least three plants to establish a patch.
Unpack and soak your blueberry bush in water for 3 to 6 hours just before planting.
Cut broken roots.
Dig Holes: The width of the hole should allow you to spread roots. If you are planting multiple blueberries, dig holes 4'-6' apart. If you are creating several rows, dig holes 7'-12' apart.
Spread roots in the hole.
Shovel dirt back into the hole and amend the soil, if necessary.
Do not tap or step on the soil to level it.
Water: give each plant 1"-2" of water.

Mulching: Apply a thick layer of organic mulch, such as pine needles or wood chips, around the base of the plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Beyond acidity, blueberries prefer well-aerated, consistently moist soil that is high in organic matter. While compost is generally the go-to for adding organic matter to soil, in the case of blueberries, it can be detrimental. Compost is rich in nutrients and blueberries don't thrive in rich soil. Peat moss is recommended instead as it is lower in nutrients and slower to break down.
Start by digging a planting hole and then mix a generous amount of peat moss/pine straw (approx. a bucketful) equal to the amount of soil removed. Once the blueberry root ball is in place, backfill with the peat moss/ pine straw mix.
The final step is to add a layer of organic mulch on top of the soil to keep the soil from drying out and suppress weeds. Because blueberries have shallow roots and are susceptible to weed competition, mulch is extremely important.
Weed control is essential. Eliminate weed competition prior to planting if possible. Because blueberry roots are shallow, do not hoe or cultivate around the bushes deeper than 2". Pull weeds out instead.

Watering Needs: Blueberries need consistent moisture, especially during fruiting. Drip irrigation is recommended to provide even watering.

Blueberry plants have a thread-like root mass with no root hairs. Because they have no root hairs, they are sensitive to fluctuating soil moisture. Deep, low pH mulch like peat moss or pine needles conserves water and minimizes soil water fluctuations.
Water blueberry plants during the day. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy. Give them at least 1" per week during growing season and up to 4" per week during fruit ripening. Keep the soil moist to a depth of 1". Water evenly on all sies of the plant. Insufficient water when the buds start to grow in late summer and when fruit is developing can lead to smaller berries. Too much water can lead to large, bland berries.

Fertilizer: Use a balanced fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants. Apply in early spring and again in late spring. Avoid over-fertilizing, as it can damage the plants.

Blueberries do not fertilize the first year. During the following years, fertilize with ammonium sulfate or a complete 10-10-10 fertilizer. Split the dose, once as the buds open and the second a month later. Increase the amount as the plants mature. Only nitrogen is required on an ongoing basis. Never apply nitrate containing fertilizers such as ammonium nitrate or calcium nitrate as these can be toxic to the plant.

Pollination: It is important to have a source of honeybees to help during pollination. This link covers how to start a blueberry farm.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8vx2rRbMzc)

Common Mistakes: The link below talks about common mistakes that can be made when trying to grow blueberries. Always pay attention to the growth zones when ordering and planting your blueberry varieties.