one of 20 Premier Blueberries in my front yard urban garden March 28, 2014
Gardening successfully is a process that one learns over time. Few, if any of us, have enough time to learn all the lessons that gardening has to teach--and even if we did have enough time, there are always those uncontrollable variables such as the weather. (That's where the humility lessons are provided.) However, lucky for us gardeners, some of the variables can be controlled with a little bit of planning. We must be satisfied with applying our energies to these areas.
EXTENDING THE HARVEST FOR BLUEBERRIES AND MORE. . .
1. FACTS: There are many varieties of blueberries and according to the variety, blueberry bushes ripen at different times of the year--from April through September.
Conclusion: By diversifying the varieties, it will be possible to have blueberries from April through September.
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2. FACT: Not all blueberries are self-pollinating. I did not realize this last year when I planted about 20 blueberry bushes in my garden--all of which are Premier. Fortunately for me, the Premier variety is self-pollinating. Had I chosen the Tifblue variety, then I would not be having blueberries this year because the Tifblue bushes are not self-pollinating.
Conclusion: If not certain as to whether your blueberry is self-pollinating or not, plant at least two different varieties of bushes.
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one of Charlie's Tifblue blueberry bushes growing by his swimming pool
3. FACTS: You can grow blueberries in large pots. If you build a shelf for the pots (using two by fours and concrete blocks--similar to the outdoor plant shelves at Home Depot) you can grow many blueberry bushes in a small space. Mulch heavily to keep the top of the roots cool and moist. If you plant different varieties, you can have blueberries April through September.
Conclusion: You don't need a large space to grow blueberries. In fact, they are great container plants that will grow easily on a sunny patio.
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A Few of the Varieties of Blueberries to Provide Eating from April through September
FOR BLUEBERRIES EARLY IN THE SEASON
Earliblue
Very early with light blue fruit.
Climax
Ripens early May
Alapaha
Ripens in May
Becky Blue
Ripens in May
Emerald
Ripens April to May
Primadonna
Ripens April to May
Springwide
Ripens April to May
Brightwell
Ripens early June
Austin
Ripens early June--super sweet
FOR MID-SEASON BLUEBERRIES
Premier
Ripens in mid-June early July. The Premier is self-pollinating.
Bluebelle
Ripens throughout June.
Tifblue
Ripens Late June through mid-July. Note: this plant is not self-pollinating so you will have to plant another variety too.
Blueray
Ripens in July
Bluejay
Ripens in July
Ocklockonee
Ripens in July
Herbert
Ripens in July
FOR LATE SEASON BLUEBERRIES
Colville
Ripens mid July through August.
Aurora
Large, sweet tangy berry. Matures in September
Elliott
Matures very in late September. Sky blue colored berries.
Darrow
Produces one of the largest berries. Ripens in mid to late August. Self-pollinating
Jersey
Ripens late August