Did you know that blueberry bushes are as easy to grow as blueberries are delicious to eat? It’s true! And if that’s not enough reason for you to grow blueberries in your home garden, there are still many other convincing factors.
Not only are they star players in parfaits, acai bowls, and smoothies, but they’re also super healthy, and very beautiful plants to add to your outdoor landscaping. Now are you intrigued? If so, you’re in the right place.
Keep reading to start learning everything there is to know about this tasty little fruit, and how to grow it for yourself.
Growing Blueberry Plants
The posts outlined below cover all the important things you should keep in mind while starting or maintaining your own blueberry bushes.
This guide takes it way back, reminding you why you should grow blueberry bushes, and helping you decide which variety is best for you. Then, it guides you through all the essential steps of planting in order to set up your plant for successful growth.
Learn about Companion Plants For Blueberries so that they never get lonely!
Pruning blueberries is essential to ensuring their health, and promoting efficient and delicious fruit production. Learn what tools you need, and the best technique for pruning different blueberry varieties.
Common Blueberry Bush Diseases
The truth is that blueberries, like all plants, are susceptible to pests and diseases. Learn how to prevent them, and in worst-case scenarios, how to diagnose and treat them.
Harvesting Blueberries
It’s time for one of my favorite parts of growing blueberry plants. Harvesting the delicious blueberries!
When Is the Right Time To Pick Blueberries?
This post not only helps you determine when your blueberries are ripe enough for picking, but also suggests different picking methods. Plus, we all know about apple picking—but did you know that you can go blueberry picking, too?
Picking blueberries by hand can be a real pain. Check out my favorite types of blueberry pickers to make the job easier.
Blueberry Farms in Mississippi
Mississippi residents or passersby, you’re in luck! Discover my favorite blueberry farms in the state!
Blueberries in the Kitchen
Blueberries are delicious as is—popped straight into your mouth after picking them from the bush—but there are also many great blueberry recipes out there!
Healthy Blueberry Muffins
Blueberry Pancakes
Veggie and Blueberry Smoothie
Blueberry Juice
Blueberry Coffee Cake
Health Benefits of Blueberries
As mentioned earlier, one of the great things about blueberries is that they’re actually very healthy! So you can feel good while loving what your eat.
Blueberry Nutrition: A Guide to Calories, Vitamins, and More
Let’s take a look at exactly what goes on beneath that bright blue skin.
Health Benefits Of Blueberries
What do those nutrients mean, anyway? Take a look at what blueberries can do for your body.
Blueberry Plant Varieties
Take a peek at the blueberry varieties highlighted on Mineopa Orchards:
Abundance Blueberry
AtlasBlue Blueberry
Aurora Blueberry
Biloxi Blueberry
Blue Ribbon Blueberry
Bluecrop Blueberry
Bluegold Blueberry
Blueray Blueberry
Brightwell Blueberry
Calypso Blueberry
Camellia Blueberry
Chickadee Blueberry
Climax Blueberry
Draper Blueberry
Duke Blueberry
Elliot Blueberry
Emerald Blueberry
Farthing Blueberry
Friendship Blueberry
Hardyblue Blueberry
Japanese Blueberry Trees
Jersey Blueberry
Jewel Blueberries
Kestrel Blueberry
Last Call Blueberry
Legacy Blueberry
Liberty Blueberry
Meadowlark Blueberry
Misty Blueberry
Northcountry Blueberry
Northland Blueberry
Northsky Blueberry
O’Neal Blueberry
Ochlockonee Blueberry
Osorno Blueberry
Ozarkblue Blueberry
Patriot Blueberry
Pink Icing Blueberry
Pink Popcorn Blueberry
Polaris Blueberry
Powder Blue Blueberry
Premier Blueberry
Rebel Blueberry
Rubel Blueberry
Sharpblue Blueberry
Snowchaser Blueberry
Springhigh Blueberry
Star Blueberry
Sunshine Blue Blueberry
Suziblue Blueberry
Tifblue Blueberry
Top Hat Blueberry
Toro Blueberry
Ventura Blueberry
Winter Bell Blueberry
Blueberry FAQs
Can my pets eat blueberries?
Dogs and cats can both eat blueberries, though it shouldn’t make up a significant portion of their meal. Think of it as a treat! For a more in-depth answer, take a look at my posts:
Can Dogs Eat Blueberries?
Do I need to wash my blueberries before I eat them?
Yes, all produce should be washed before consumption. However, in the case of blueberries, it’s best that you wait until you’re ready to eat them to wash them, preferably in a small colander in batches only as large as you will eat in a sitting or two.
This is because water accelerates the blueberry’s deterioration. The longer you wait to wash the berries, the longer they will last!
Can I freeze blueberries?
You absolutely can! Blueberries are among the best fruits for freezing. Unwashed, dry blueberries can be placed in a plastic freezer bag or glass container and stored straight in the freezer.
If you prefer to wash your blueberries first, or if they are wet for any other reason, it’s best to pat them dry, spread them out in a single layer on a cookie sheet, and freeze them that way before putting them into containers.
Bear in mind blueberries should not be refrozen once they’ve thawed out!
Is it safe to eat wild blueberries?
If you can confidently identify that what you’re eating is in fact a wild blueberry, then with a few precautionary measures, you should be fine! It’s advised not to eat wild blueberries from close to the ground (they can be contaminated with animal urine) or those that are covered in dirt.
Also, be mindful of the blueberry bush’s location. Some wild blueberry bushes located in the vicinity of major highways or highly foot trafficked or public areas can be contaminated with pollution, herbicides, or pesticides.
Eating berries in the wild should always be approached with mindfulness and caution, but if you are confident with the bush you’re eating from, wild blueberries do make a fantastic treat!
My blueberries have a hazy surface. Are they safe to eat?
They absolutely are! This haziness is known as the “bloom”, and while it has been mistaken at times for disease or a residue from pesticide spraying, it’s actually naturally occurring in blueberries. It does not need to be avoided or washed off!
In fact, that lovely, silver-white bloom is a natural barrier protecting the fruit from insects and bacteria, as well as helping it retain its moist, juicy texture. Bloom is also indicative of the blueberry’s freshness, as it will begin to fade as time passes or if the fruit is handled often.
Are blueberries easy to grow?
With proper attention given to their environmental needs at the start, yes, blueberries are very easy to grow—even in containers!
If you’re planning to grow blueberries in your garden, keep in mind that they require full sun and acidic soil to thrive, and they’re slow growers taking up to 6 years to reach their full potential in fruit production. You can help this process along by beginning to prune your blueberry bush after the first 3 years.
Your blueberry bush will also go dormant in the winter, but don’t worry…it’s an extremely cold hardy plant and will make its return with the warmth of spring! For more details, go back to our Growing Blueberry Bushes section.
Go Grow Blueberry Plants!
Now that you’ve gotten started on your blueberry plant growing journey, you’re well equipped to embark on some other great fruit adventures!
