Growing Blueberries in the Eastern Sierra
Growing blueberries is a relatively new trend in the Eastern Sierra. Our climate and soils are not ideally suited to growing them, but with a little help you may be able to raise plants that produce a small to moderate amount of fruit.
Local nurseries carry the varieties best suited to our area. The general name for these types are northern highbush blueberries for areas north of Independence and southern highbush for Independence to the southern Owens Valley. Blueberries are self-fruitful, but better crop production is obtained with 2 or more similar varieties.
Things to consider when planting blueberries:
Site Selection - Find a location that gets sun most of the day, but late afternoon shade is favorable. Don't plant bushes against a south or west facing wall. This may encourage the plant to flower too early and be damaged by late frosts.
Soil Requirements - Ideally, blueberries want a soil pH of 4.5 to 5.5. Our soils are generally in the 7 – 8 range. When planting use a mixture of composted organic matter and peat moss. Soil needs to drain quickly, standing water will drown the bush. If you need to improve drainage add additional organic matter and sand. Blueberries will not tolerate high salinity soils and may not be a good choice for Chalfant.
Growing Requirements - Deep water your plants and apply 1 to 2 inches per week.
Mulching conserves moisture, controls weeds and protects roots from extreme temperatures. Blueberries are shallow rooted and are susceptible to winter kill. Fall watering and good mulching will prevent dieback.
Don't fertilize your bushes at planting time. In subsequent years apply a balanced fertilizer prior to buds appearing. Water in thoroughly. In May, apply a high nitrogen (21-0-0) fertilizer around the drip line of the plant and water in thoroughly, this will help to acidify the soil.
Pruning - In the first two growing seasons only remove damaged or dead wood. No pruning is required until the plant is 3 years old. Severe pruning produces fewer but larger berries and more new growth. Berries are produced on second and third year canes. Prune in winter or early spring. Remove weak side shoots in top of plant. To increase fruit size, head back shoots that have an abundance of flower buds.
Plants generally don't reach full fruit production until the 6th growing season.
If you have specific questions about your blueberry bushes please contact the Master Gardener Help-line at (760) 872-2098.
Further reading and references:
http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/filelibrary/5842/25993.pdf “Growing Blueberries in the Sacramento Region” UC ANR Publication #88
http://www.blueberrycouncil.org/growing-blueberries/ US Highbush Blueberry Council