FAQ: When To Cover Blueberry Bushes?

Do blueberry bushes need to be covered for winter?

Protecting blueberries over winter by covering the plants and mulching around them can be beneficial. It is important when covering the plants to trap heat much like a small greenhouse. A frame of PVC covered and securely anchored can accomplish this purpose. Also, keep your plants moist.

How cold can blueberry bushes tolerate?

Cold Susceptibility During the winter, dormant flower buds of highbush blueberries will survive temperatures as low as -20 to -30°F while the less hardy rabbiteye (V. ashei Reade) have survived -10°F but are often damaged below 0°F. As flowerbud swell progresses, cold tolerance decreases.

How do you protect blueberry bushes from animals?

If birds and deer are a problem, cover bushes with netting after fruit appears. Netting can be affixed to raised beds, secured to the ground or wrapped up and over your berry bushes or trees. Installing netting only takes a few minutes.

How do you protect blueberries from birds?

Bird Protection for Blueberries and Other Fruit. Exclusion of birds using protective netting is the most effective way to prevent bird damage. Putting netting over mature plants is difficult and this activity could even challenge the patience of Job.

How do you winterize potted blueberry bushes?

Winterize the Plants Blueberries are tough plants, but if you live in a cold- winter climate you should move your containers against the side of your home or into a protected area to keep them out of the wind. You can also mulch your plants with straw or wrap them in burlap.

Should blueberry bushes be cut back in the fall?

To keep them producing well, blueberry bushes need to be pruned every year. You want the bush to have a narrow base and a wide, open top that allows sunlight and air in. The best time to prune blueberry bushes is late winter while they’re still dorant.

What temperature can blueberry plants tolerate?

EFFECTS OF FREEZE ON A DEVELOPING BLUEBERRY CROP During dormancy, blueberry plants can typically withstand temperatures below 20° F with no injury. As buds expand and develop, the critical temperature where damage can be expected to increase is through the 20s to about 31° F for plants with green fruit.

What temperature will damage blueberries?

When blueberries begin to grow in the spring the buds can handle very cold temperatures. Swollen buds can easily tolerate temperatures down to 20° F. At bud burst or tight cluster temperatures in the 20° to 23° F range can cause damage.

Will freeze kill blueberry bushes?

Just because they have begun to grow does not mean they will be killed by freezing temperatures. Some fruit varieties, such as apricots, develop very quickly and are more susceptible to freezes than slower developing fruit such as cherries, peaches, apples, blueberries and grapes.

Are coffee grounds good for blueberry bushes?

Blueberries do not require much in the way of fertilizer, but one nutrient they require in abundance is nitrogen. Coffee grounds are a good source of nitrogen for blueberry bushes, says the University of Minnesota Extension, so don’t throw away your grounds next time you make a pot of joe.

What animal eats blueberry bushes?

Bluebirds, cardinals, catbirds, robins, mockingbirds, mourning doves and wild turkeys all nibble blueberries. Squirrels, mice, opossums and chipmunks also eat blueberries, but keeping the three smallest of these rodents out of your blueberries without resorting to trapping or toxic baits can be difficult.

How do I keep bugs off my blueberry bushes?

As with most pests, the best solution is prevention. Placing a floating row cover with insect netting will help to prevent these critters from eating your plants. Another good prevention is to remove excess weeds and grass around the garden areas as this can help to attract them.

What do you put around blueberry bushes?

Pine needles, wood chips or bark mulch work well as mulches for blueberries. Avoid using dyed mulches (black or red). Avoid using synthetic mulches like black plastic or landscape fabric.

How do I protect my rabbits from blueberry bushes?

Prevention. Placing chicken mesh or woven wire fencing around the bush should prevent rabbits from getting to the bushes. Fences need to be at least 2 feet high above the ground so the rabbits cannot jump over the fence.

How do you cover blueberry bushes for frost?

Use Row Covers and Nursery Foam to Combat the Cold In the event of a frost, nursery foam or floating row covers can help to insulate blueberry bushes and crops. When installed properly, they can potentially offer up to 2°-3° of additional protection to the plants.