Blueberry
Vaccinium spp.
Family: Ericaceae
Blueberries are a widely distributed and widespread group of perennial flowering plants with blue or purple berries. They are classified in the section Cyanococcus within the genus Vaccinium. Vaccinium also includes cranberries, bilberries, huckleberries and Madeira blueberries. Commercial blueberries—both wild (lowbush) and cultivated (highbush)—are all native to North America. The highbush varieties were introduced into Europe during the 1930s. First Nations peoples of Canada consumed wild blueberries for millennia.
DESCRIPTION
The blueberry plants that grow well in our region are deciduous, or semi-deciduous bushes usually reaching 4-6’ tall and wide. They flower usually in spring and fruits develop from spring into summer (depending on variety). Many plants have reddish fall color.
VARIETIES FOR OUR REGION
Jewel One of California's leading commercial varieties due to its high adaptability. Exceptional growth and high yields. Midseason harvest of large to very large berries with tangy sweet flavor. Chill requirement estimated at 200 hours.'Misty' 150 chill hours, especially adapted to heat, self-fruitful
O’Neil Southern Highbush (low chill, tolerates heat). Large fruit is especially sweet and flavorful. Early season. Soil must be acidic, high in humus. 5-6 ft. bush. 200 hours. Self-fruitful, but plant two varieties for largest crops.
Sharpblue Southern highbush. Excellent flavor. Nearly evergreen in mild winter climates. Bears fruit nearly year-round. Vigorous plant to 6 ft. Dime-sized dark blue fruit. 200 hours.
Sunshine Blue Great flavored firm berries. Semi-dwarf evergreen bush with great fall color. Showy hot pink flowers fade to white in spring. Self-fruitful. Estimated chilling required 150 hours, but very cold hardy as well.
USES & PRESERVATION
Blueberries, like any berry, taste so much better directly off the plant than the store-bought fruits, that you may have difficulty getting enough blueberries to the kitchen for anything but fresh eating. And this is really the best way to enjoy blueberries.
But if you produce enough that you need to preserve them, they can be frozen easily. They can also be made into jams, or cooked into syrups.
GROWING
Blueberries are probably best grown in raised beds and containers, where you can attempt to control the pH a little better. Keep plants in a location where they get afternoon shade or filtered sun, but take care not to over-shade plants to such a degree that you don’t get enough flowers (and thus, fruits).
In a container, you will water daily in the summer. You can get away with watering less often in the winter, but check plants frequently to insure they are not drying out. Their water needs are less when they are dormant (some plants go entirely dormant, while others may retain leaves in winter).
Feed often during the growing season. Occasionally, acidify your water with epsom salt to bring the alkalinity down, which will build up the more you water. Acidify the water more often in summer, as you will be watering more often.
Use an organic, general purpose fertilizer. You don’t need an “acid-loving” fertilizer, and most on the market are not organic. Using epsom salt will be sufficient.