Nothing Tastes Better Than Fresh Blueberries Picked From Your Own Garden! Blueberry mixed seeds. Evergreen shrub, fruit is a berry blue/black waxy appearance. A high tolerance to high summer temps. Drought tolerance delivers superior fruit quality. Also grown as ornamental Early yields
Large berries of excellent quality May bloom in fall in warm climates Great fall ornamental Easy to grow Requires little care Pests and disease resistant High in Anthocyanins and antioxidantsTips & Fun Facts for Caring for Blueberry Plants 1. Blueberries love Acidic Soil! 2. They Need to Be Pruned. 3. Select an elevated site, such as a hill. If one does not exist, plant blueberries in a raised bed. 4. Make sure your planting location has good drainage. 5. Test the soil before planting. Blueberries like acidic soil with a pH range between 4.8 to 5.2. 6. Space plants six feet apart. 7. Plant at least two varieties for cross-pollination. 8. Water the plant after planting and top the soil surrounding the plant with sawdust mulch. 9. Remove all flower buds at the time of planting to encourage strong root development. 10. Weed early in the spring, before harvest season begins. 11. Keep a 2 to 3-foot weed-free circle surrounding each blueberry bush. This has been proven to increase the yield of berries produced. 12. Young blueberry plants can easily be damaged by weed-eaters. To protect tender plants, place a thick tree protector around the base of each plant. With a little care, an established blueberry plant will produce berries for 20 to 30 years before needing to be replaced.Did You Know? They require full sun, well-drained soil, and a low pH between 4.5 and 5.5 Grow varieties that are suited to your climate. Plant several varieties to ensure proper pollination and a plentiful bounty of fruit. To extend the harvest season, plant different types that produce fruit in early, mid and late summer. The fruit is very high in antioxidants. They are also high in vitamin C and a good source of vitamin E. They are one of the only natural foods that are actually blue in color. Store fresh crops in an open container to reduce condensation, and keep in the refrigerator. Do not wash freshly picked crop until just before serving. Freeze fresh blueberries! Place unwashed ones in a single layer on a sheet tray, and place in the freezer. Store frozen berries in a plastic storage bag. Native Americans called them "star berries" because the shape of the flower resembles a star shape.This Blueberry blend has delicious fruits, outstanding flavors, beautiful spring flowers, and brilliant fall colors in a range of sizes and ripening dates. They are wonderful eaten fresh and are perfect for freezing.Start the blueberry season off with large, high-quality, flavorful berries. Blueberry Plant is one of the earliest ripening southern highbush varieties. The large berries are of excellent quality and are tops for fresh eating as well as baked into pies or other desserts. This plant will often start blooming in the fall in the southern half of zone 8 and into zone 9, and continues blooming during warm periods until normal bloom time. The main crop ripens in late April to May. The plants grow 6 ft. tall and, while self-pollinating, produce larger yields when other blueberry plants are planted for cross-pollination. Zones 7-9.The blend may contain some of these varieties depending on the season, and availability. We can not guarantee all varieties since they are mixed and randomly packed. Varieties: [northern highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum), lowbush species (V. angustifolium), V. virgatum] Northern And Southern Highbush, midnight cascade, chippewa, mini blues, native blue, northcountry, top hat, burgundy, notyhsky, velvetleaf, aurora, bluecrop, baby blues, blueray, bluejay, brigita, chandler, cabernet splash, darrow, draper, Brigitta, Duke, Gulf Coast, Jersey, Sunshine Blue, earliblue, elliott, hannah's choice, liberty, patriot, pink icing, pink popcorn, razz, rubel, spartan, superior, sweetheart, toro, emerald, jewel, jubilee, legacy, misty, nocturne, norman, ochlockonee rabbit-eye, o'neal, pink lemonade, sunshine blue, and much more. Growing Blueberries from seeds ------------------------------- Beginning with the most challenging option, you can grow blueberries from seed, but it will obviously take longer to produce your first harvest than it would if you started with established plants.Seeds can be purchased or you can extract them from the berries. Keep in mind that seeds from hybrid plants won’t grow true to the parent.To extract seeds, place a cup of blueberries in a blender with four cups of water. Run it on high for 15 seconds and then let the mixture sit for 10 minutes.Eventually, the pulp will rise to the top and the seeds will sink to the bottom.Pour out the pulp, add more water to replace what you poured out, and set it aside for another five minutes. Repeat until you get clear water with blueberry seeds at the bottom.A few months before the last frost date in your area, sprinkle your seeds over a container filled with moistened peat moss.Place a thin layer of peat on top to cover. Cover the tray with a piece of plastic or a humidity dome to keep the moisture in. Keep the seeds around 60-70°F.Now comes the waiting game. Every time I’ve done this I’m pretty sure my seeds are duds and I get ready to toss the whole thing out, only to see the little green seedlings stick their heads out of the peat.That’s because it can take a month or two – or sometimes three! – for seeds to germinate. And I’m impatient.Once seedlings are about three inches tall, remove them from the peat and put each one in a six-inch pot filled with equal parts peat, sand, and potting soil.Keep the medium moist but not wet, and put the seedlings in a spot where they receive about six hours of sun a day.A close up horizontal image of Vaccinium shrubs growing in nursery pots ready to transplant into the garden. Once the danger of frost has passed, you can put the plants in the ground outside, but be sure to harden them off for a week before transplanting them to their permanent home.Harden off seedlings by placing them outside in a sheltered spot with indirect light for one hour, and then bring it back indoors. Repeat this, adding an hour each day for a week, until they can spend the full day outside.Because the seeds need such carefully controlled conditions, direct sowing in the garden isn’t recommended. Planting the Bushes ------------------------------- The ideal time to plant blueberries is when the plant is dormant, before fruit appears. They may be planted in either the fall or spring. It generally takes three to five years for a blueberry plant to produce a good yield, but even the smallest plants will have some berries in the first or second summer. Left unpruned, blueberry plants will reach a height of 10 to 12 feet! Spring is the best time to plant a new blueberry bush. Dig a hole twice as deep and twice as wide as the nursery pot, and amend the soil with compost. Test your soil to determine the pH level and if needed, add peat moss or a fertilizer formulated for azaleas.Mulch the planting bed with 3 to 4 inches of wood chips, and keep the new plant well watered until it becomes firmly established. They have a shallow root system and the mulch helps to retain moisture while inhibiting weeds.The plants are fast growers, and begin to produce fruit in their third or fourth year of growth.Harvesting a Fresh Batch ------------------------------- It's hard to beat the taste of a freshly picked blueberry!Depending on the variety, the crop begins to ripen in early summer. The clumps of greenish berries begin to turn reddish-purple, and the color deepens as the berry ripens. Ripe fruit is a lustrous, deep purple, and a gentle tug is all that's needed to encourage the berry to release its grip from the plant. Shaking a branch lightly over a basket or sheet of newspaper will result in a pile of ripened produce.The fruit will continue to ripen for several weeks and in our area, we pick berries every few days from late June through early August. Planting several different varieties that ripen in early, mid and late summer extends the harvest season.
Large berries of excellent quality May bloom in fall in warm climates Great fall ornamental Easy to grow Requires little care Pests and disease resistant High in Anthocyanins and antioxidantsTips & Fun Facts for Caring for Blueberry Plants 1. Blueberries love Acidic Soil! 2. They Need to Be Pruned. 3. Select an elevated site, such as a hill. If one does not exist, plant blueberries in a raised bed. 4. Make sure your planting location has good drainage. 5. Test the soil before planting. Blueberries like acidic soil with a pH range between 4.8 to 5.2. 6. Space plants six feet apart. 7. Plant at least two varieties for cross-pollination. 8. Water the plant after planting and top the soil surrounding the plant with sawdust mulch. 9. Remove all flower buds at the time of planting to encourage strong root development. 10. Weed early in the spring, before harvest season begins. 11. Keep a 2 to 3-foot weed-free circle surrounding each blueberry bush. This has been proven to increase the yield of berries produced. 12. Young blueberry plants can easily be damaged by weed-eaters. To protect tender plants, place a thick tree protector around the base of each plant. With a little care, an established blueberry plant will produce berries for 20 to 30 years before needing to be replaced.Did You Know? They require full sun, well-drained soil, and a low pH between 4.5 and 5.5 Grow varieties that are suited to your climate. Plant several varieties to ensure proper pollination and a plentiful bounty of fruit. To extend the harvest season, plant different types that produce fruit in early, mid and late summer. The fruit is very high in antioxidants. They are also high in vitamin C and a good source of vitamin E. They are one of the only natural foods that are actually blue in color. Store fresh crops in an open container to reduce condensation, and keep in the refrigerator. Do not wash freshly picked crop until just before serving. Freeze fresh blueberries! Place unwashed ones in a single layer on a sheet tray, and place in the freezer. Store frozen berries in a plastic storage bag. Native Americans called them "star berries" because the shape of the flower resembles a star shape.This Blueberry blend has delicious fruits, outstanding flavors, beautiful spring flowers, and brilliant fall colors in a range of sizes and ripening dates. They are wonderful eaten fresh and are perfect for freezing.Start the blueberry season off with large, high-quality, flavorful berries. Blueberry Plant is one of the earliest ripening southern highbush varieties. The large berries are of excellent quality and are tops for fresh eating as well as baked into pies or other desserts. This plant will often start blooming in the fall in the southern half of zone 8 and into zone 9, and continues blooming during warm periods until normal bloom time. The main crop ripens in late April to May. The plants grow 6 ft. tall and, while self-pollinating, produce larger yields when other blueberry plants are planted for cross-pollination. Zones 7-9.The blend may contain some of these varieties depending on the season, and availability. We can not guarantee all varieties since they are mixed and randomly packed. Varieties: [northern highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum), lowbush species (V. angustifolium), V. virgatum] Northern And Southern Highbush, midnight cascade, chippewa, mini blues, native blue, northcountry, top hat, burgundy, notyhsky, velvetleaf, aurora, bluecrop, baby blues, blueray, bluejay, brigita, chandler, cabernet splash, darrow, draper, Brigitta, Duke, Gulf Coast, Jersey, Sunshine Blue, earliblue, elliott, hannah's choice, liberty, patriot, pink icing, pink popcorn, razz, rubel, spartan, superior, sweetheart, toro, emerald, jewel, jubilee, legacy, misty, nocturne, norman, ochlockonee rabbit-eye, o'neal, pink lemonade, sunshine blue, and much more. Growing Blueberries from seeds ------------------------------- Beginning with the most challenging option, you can grow blueberries from seed, but it will obviously take longer to produce your first harvest than it would if you started with established plants.Seeds can be purchased or you can extract them from the berries. Keep in mind that seeds from hybrid plants won’t grow true to the parent.To extract seeds, place a cup of blueberries in a blender with four cups of water. Run it on high for 15 seconds and then let the mixture sit for 10 minutes.Eventually, the pulp will rise to the top and the seeds will sink to the bottom.Pour out the pulp, add more water to replace what you poured out, and set it aside for another five minutes. Repeat until you get clear water with blueberry seeds at the bottom.A few months before the last frost date in your area, sprinkle your seeds over a container filled with moistened peat moss.Place a thin layer of peat on top to cover. Cover the tray with a piece of plastic or a humidity dome to keep the moisture in. Keep the seeds around 60-70°F.Now comes the waiting game. Every time I’ve done this I’m pretty sure my seeds are duds and I get ready to toss the whole thing out, only to see the little green seedlings stick their heads out of the peat.That’s because it can take a month or two – or sometimes three! – for seeds to germinate. And I’m impatient.Once seedlings are about three inches tall, remove them from the peat and put each one in a six-inch pot filled with equal parts peat, sand, and potting soil.Keep the medium moist but not wet, and put the seedlings in a spot where they receive about six hours of sun a day.A close up horizontal image of Vaccinium shrubs growing in nursery pots ready to transplant into the garden. Once the danger of frost has passed, you can put the plants in the ground outside, but be sure to harden them off for a week before transplanting them to their permanent home.Harden off seedlings by placing them outside in a sheltered spot with indirect light for one hour, and then bring it back indoors. Repeat this, adding an hour each day for a week, until they can spend the full day outside.Because the seeds need such carefully controlled conditions, direct sowing in the garden isn’t recommended. Planting the Bushes ------------------------------- The ideal time to plant blueberries is when the plant is dormant, before fruit appears. They may be planted in either the fall or spring. It generally takes three to five years for a blueberry plant to produce a good yield, but even the smallest plants will have some berries in the first or second summer. Left unpruned, blueberry plants will reach a height of 10 to 12 feet! Spring is the best time to plant a new blueberry bush. Dig a hole twice as deep and twice as wide as the nursery pot, and amend the soil with compost. Test your soil to determine the pH level and if needed, add peat moss or a fertilizer formulated for azaleas.Mulch the planting bed with 3 to 4 inches of wood chips, and keep the new plant well watered until it becomes firmly established. They have a shallow root system and the mulch helps to retain moisture while inhibiting weeds.The plants are fast growers, and begin to produce fruit in their third or fourth year of growth.Harvesting a Fresh Batch ------------------------------- It's hard to beat the taste of a freshly picked blueberry!Depending on the variety, the crop begins to ripen in early summer. The clumps of greenish berries begin to turn reddish-purple, and the color deepens as the berry ripens. Ripe fruit is a lustrous, deep purple, and a gentle tug is all that's needed to encourage the berry to release its grip from the plant. Shaking a branch lightly over a basket or sheet of newspaper will result in a pile of ripened produce.The fruit will continue to ripen for several weeks and in our area, we pick berries every few days from late June through early August. Planting several different varieties that ripen in early, mid and late summer extends the harvest season.