Young bushes up to 2 years old should be trimmed only to remove dead or diseased canes removed.
Mature bushes (3 to 8 yrs.) require removal of prostrate canes and canes longer than 2 feet in length.
Lowbush varieties can be pruned with a lawn mower. Because they will not produce berries the year following pruning, cut back half of the bushes each year and keep the other half of your plants in production.
Blueberries should be taste-tested before harvesting.
Berries that have just turned blue are not the best tasting.
Gently shake a cluster of berries to determine ripeness. The ripe ones will fall easily off the bush.
Store blueberries in the refrigerator immediately after harvesting. Cooler temperatures than the average refrigerator (31º to 32ºF) will keep them fresh for up to two weeks.
Varieties Misty and Sharpe Blue are susceptible to rust.
Blueberries will stay healthy and productive if pruned regularly. Young bushes up to 2 years old should be trimmed only to remove dead or diseased canes removed. Mature bushes (3 to 8 yrs.) require removal of prostrate canes and canes longer than 2 feet in length. Lowbush varieties can be pruned with a lawn mower. Because they will not produce berries the year following pruning, cut back half of the bushes each year and keep the other half of your plants in production. Blueberries should be taste-tested before harvesting. Berries that have just turned blue are not the best tasting. Gently shake a cluster of berries to determine ripeness. The ripe ones will fall easily off the bush. Store blueberries in the refrigerator immediately after harvesting. Cooler temperatures than the average refrigerator (31º to 32ºF) will keep them fresh for up to two weeks.