How to Grow Blueberries in Oklahoma
Tip
Build a frame around your blueberry bushes, and place netting over it once the berries begin to turn blue. This keeps birds away, which are the plant’s main threat.
The rewards of a freshly picked, juicy blueberry from your backyard are many. Most areas of Oklahoma are very suitable for raising the bushes for this tiny fruit, which is one of the few fruits native to North America. With a bit of preparation and on-going care, raising blueberry bushes is possible, even for new gardeners.
Choose the cultivar of blueberry that you’ll grow. The Oklahoma State University recommends the northern highbush if you live in the Tulsa area or north. Those in Oklahoma City and south should grow varieties of southern highbush blueberries or the rabbiteye cultivar.
Purchase two- to three-year-old bushes from a reputable nursery. It’s very difficult to start a blueberry bush from seed.
Locate an appropriate spot for planting in your yard with full sun. Soil in the area should have a pH level between 5.0 and 5.2, according to Oklahoma State University. To adjust the pH level, treat the soil with sulfur at least six months before planting.
Dig one hole for each blueberry bush, leaving a space of at least 5 feet between each one. The hole should be slightly deeper than the root bulb of the plant.
Place the new bushes in the holes and cover with mulch or peat moss.
Monitor the soil moisture for the blueberry plants, being sure to give them at least 2 inches of water per week.
Prune the plant only after three years have passed. Use hand-held pruning shears to trim the branches closest to the ground.
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Sarah Schreiber has been writing since 2004, with professional experience in the nonprofit and educational sectors as well as small business. She now focuses on writing about travel, education and interior decorating and has been published on Trazzler and various other websites. Schreiber received a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications.
