BLUEBERRY BUSHES — COMPLETE PLANTING & ORGANIC CARE GUIDE
Before You Plant (Site Selection)
Sunlight
• Full sun required — minimum 6–8 hours per day
• More sun = more flowers = more blueberries
Soil Requirements (Most Important Step)
Blueberries are unique — they require acidic soil.
Your soil should be:
• pH: 4.2 – 5.2 (ideal range)
• Well-drained (never standing water)
• Rich in organic matter
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Burley’s Organic Blueberry Planting Blend (60/40)
Use this exact mix when planting:
• 60% Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss
• 40% Pine Bark Mulch (aged or fine)
STEP 1 — Mix & Pre-Saturate the Blend (CRITICAL STEP)
Before you fill your planting hole, prepare your soil blend in a wheelbarrow, large tub, or container:
1. Place the peat moss and pine bark mulch together in your wheelbarrow.
2. Slowly add water while turning and mixing with a shovel or your hands.
3. Continue mixing until the blend is evenly moist and fully saturated, like a wrung-out sponge (damp but not dripping).
Why this step matters:
Dry peat moss repels water. Pre-saturating the 60/40 blend gives your blueberry’s roots instant access to moisture from day one, instead of struggling to absorb water from dry peat after planting.
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IMPORTANT — SOIL CONDITIONS THAT NEED SPECIAL ATTENTION
If You Have CLAY SOIL (Very Important)
Blueberries do not tolerate heavy, poorly draining clay. Their roots need oxygen as much as they need water. Standing water around roots can cause decline or death.
You have two good options:
OPTION 1 — BEST OPTION: Plant in a Raised Bed
If you have clay soil, we strongly recommend a raised bed.
How to build it:
• Make the bed 8–12 inches tall
• At least 3–4 feet wide
• Fill completely with your pre-saturated 60/40 blend
Why this works:
A raised bed keeps roots above compacted clay, prevents waterlogging, and creates the ideal acidic environment blueberries need.
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OPTION 2 — Dig a Very Large Hole (If Not Using a Raised Bed)
If you plant directly in the ground:
• Dig a hole at least 3 feet wide and 18–24 inches deep
• Remove as much clay as possible
• Replace it entirely with your pre-saturated 60/40 blueberry blend
If too much clay remains, it can act like a “bathtub,” trapping water around the roots, which blueberries cannot tolerate.
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If You Have SANDY SOIL (Also Important)
Sandy soil drains too fast and doesn’t hold moisture or nutrients well, which blueberries struggle with.
Recommended method:
1. Dig a hole 2–3 feet wide and 18–24 inches deep
2. Remove most of the sandy soil
3. Fill the hole with your pre-saturated 60/40 blend
4. (Optional) Mix a small amount of native sandy soil into the outer edges only
5. Plant your bush at the same depth it was in the pot
6. Water thoroughly and add 3–4 inches of mulch
Why this works:
The peat moss in the 60/40 blend helps retain moisture and nutrients while still keeping excellent drainage and proper acidity.
Extra help for very sandy sites (beach-like sand):
• Mix 10–15% organic compost into your 60/40 blend
• Add 4 inches of mulch on top
• Water more frequently during the first year
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Planting in the Ground (Step-by-Step)
Dig the Hole
Make your hole:
• 2–3 times wider than the root ball
• Same depth as the pot (do NOT plant deeper than it was growing)
Fill the Hole with Pre-Moistened Blend
Fill the bottom and sides of the hole with your pre-saturated 60/40 mix, lightly blending it with native soil.
Remove the Plant from the Pot
• Gently squeeze the pot
• Slide the plant out
• Loosen circling roots slightly if needed
Set the Plant
Place the bush so the top of the soil from the pot is level with the surrounding ground.
Backfill with the Pre-Moistened Mix
Fill around the root ball with your already saturated 60/40 blend, gently firming it in place (do not compact hard).
Final Watering
Water thoroughly to settle everything into place.
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Mulching (Essential for Success)
After planting, apply:
• 3–4 inches of organic mulch
Best mulches:
• Pine bark mulch
• Pine needles
• Wood chips (preferably pine)
Why mulch?
• Retains moisture
• Suppresses weeds
• Slowly acidifies soil over time
• Protects shallow blueberry roots
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WEED CONTROL — VERY IMPORTANT FOR BLUEBERRIES
Once your blueberry bushes are planted, it is a fantastic idea to install heavy-duty, thick woven landscape fabric around each plant.
Why this matters:
Blueberry bushes do not survive well in a weed environment. Weeds compete for:
• Water
• Nutrients
• Oxygen
How to install it properly:
1. Lay down heavy-duty woven landscape fabric around the base of each bush.
2. Cut an “X” or small opening where the plant comes through.
3. Secure the edges with landscape staples or pins.
4. Cover the fabric with 3–4 inches of pine bark mulch or wood chips.
Bottom line:
Landscape fabric + mulch keeps weeds out, locks moisture in, and protects shallow blueberry roots.
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BIRD PROTECTION — DON’T FORGET THIS STEP
Several weeks before your blueberries begin to ripen, install fine bird netting over your bushes.
Why?
• You love blueberries — and so do the birds.
• Birds can strip a bush clean in just a few days.
How to use bird netting:
• Drape fine mesh bird netting over the plant or frame
• Make sure it is fully secured so birds cannot get underneath
• Remove the netting after harvest
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Watering Schedule
First Year (Most Important)
• Water 2–3 times per week in dry weather
• Soil should be moist, not soggy
• Blueberries have shallow roots — consistent moisture is key
Established Plants (After Year 1)
• 1–2 deep waterings per week in summer
• More during heat waves
• Less during rainy periods
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ORGANIC FERTILIZING FOR BLUEBERRIES
Blueberries are sensitive to fertilizer.
Less is more. Small amounts, more often.
When to Fertilize
Year 1 (Newly Planted)
Do not fertilize immediately at planting.
Wait 4–6 weeks, then begin light feeding.
Best Times Each Year
• Early Spring (buds swelling)
• Late Spring (after flowering)
• Early Summer (after first fruit set)
Avoid fertilizing after mid-summer.
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Recommended Organic Fertilizers
Use one of these:
• Organic acid-loving plant fertilizer
• Cottonseed meal
• Fish bone meal
• Blood meal (very light amounts)
• Espoma Organic Holly-Tone or Azalea-Tone
How Much to Apply
1-gallon plants:
• 1 tablespoon around the drip line (not touching the stem)
2–3 gallon plants:
• 2–3 tablespoons spread evenly around the base
Lightly scratch into the top soil and water in.
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Maintaining Soil Acidity (Every Year)
To keep pH in the right range:
• Add fresh pine bark mulch each spring
• Top dress with peat moss once per year
• Apply elemental sulfur lightly if needed
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HONEYBERRIES (HASKAP) — PLANTING & CARE
Sun & Spacing
• Full sun to partial shade
• Space 4–6 feet apart
Soil & Planting
• Well-drained soil
• Slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5–6.5)
• Mix in compost at planting
Watering
• Regular watering first year
• Drought tolerant once established
Organic Fertilizer
• Early spring: light compost or organic berry fertilizer
• Avoid heavy nitrogen
Must plant at least two different varieties to fruit.
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RED & BLACK CURRANTS — PLANTING & CARE
Sun & Location
• Full sun to partial shade
• Prefer cooler climates
Planting
• Dig a wide hole and amend with compost
• Plant slightly deeper than the pot level
Watering
• Keep soil evenly moist
• Mulch well
Organic Fertilizer
• Early spring: compost or organic berry fertilizer
• Light feeding only
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PAWPAW TREES — PLANTING & CARE
Sun
• Young trees: partial shade
• Mature trees: full sun
Soil
• Rich, deep, well-drained soil
• Add compost at planting
Spacing
• 8–12 feet apart
Water
• Consistent moisture first two years
Organic Fertilizer
• Spring: compost or organic fruit tree fertilizer
• Avoid overfeeding
Needs cross-pollination — plant two different trees.
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RASPBERRIES (Georgia Red) — PLANTING & CARE
Sun
• Full sun
Spacing
• 2–3 feet apart in rows
• 6–8 feet between rows
Soil
• Well-drained, rich soil
• Add compost before planting
Water
• Regular watering, especially during fruiting
Organic Fertilizer
• Early spring: compost or organic berry fertilizer
• Light feeding mid-season
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BLACKBERRIES (Triple Crown) — PLANTING & CARE
Sun
• Full sun
Spacing
• 4–6 feet apart
Soil
• Well-drained soil with compost
Water
• Moderate watering
• More during fruiting
Organic Fertilizer
• Early spring: organic berry fertilizer
• Mulch heavily
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GOJI BERRIES — PLANTING & CARE
Sun
• Full sun
Soil
• Well-drained soil
• Tolerates poorer soils
Water
• Moderate watering first year
• Very drought tolerant later
Organic Fertilizer
• Light compost in spring
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FIG TREE (Chicago Cold Hardy) — PLANTING & CARE
Sun
• Full sun
Soil
• Well-drained soil with compost
Spacing
• 8–10 feet apart
Water
• Regular watering first year
• Less once established
Organic Fertilizer
• Spring: compost or organic fruit tree fertilizer
• Avoid heavy nitrogen
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KIWI (Anna + Geneva) — PLANTING & CARE
Pollination
You need:
• 1 male (Geneva) + 1 female (Anna)
Sun & Spacing
• Full sun
• Space 8–10 feet apart
• Needs a trellis or strong support
Soil
• Well-drained, rich soil
Water
• Regular watering first year
Organic Fertilizer
• Early spring: compost or organic fruit fertilizer
• Light feeding only
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FINAL TIPS FOR ALL PLANTS
• Mulch every spring
• Avoid chemical weed killers near roots
• Prune lightly each year for better fruit
• Replace mulch as it breaks down
