Blueberries can remain productive for many years with good soil and climate conditions and proper management. Consider the following when selecting and preparing sites for blueberries.
Soil
Blueberries can be successfully grown in many different kinds of soil. However, a well-drained soil with high organic matters is the best. The organic matter content should be at least 3% for good production. Incorporating sawdust or peat moss in the heavier soils before planting produces good results. Soil samples should be taken well in advance to check the pH level and other nutrients, so amendments can be made, if required, before planting. Blueberries do best in acid soil with a pH range of 4.5 to 5.2. A pH outside this range can result in poor growth and yields. Soil pH below 4.0 can be raised by adding dolomite or ground limestone at 1 to 2 tons per acre. To lower the pH, incorporate elemental sulfur into the soil as required several months before planting.
Drainage
Blueberries require soils that drain well throughout the year and hold adequate moisture for good plant growth during summer. Plants cannot withstand extended periods of flooding in the winter. The bushes can easily get injured while they are actively growing. A water table 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 in.) below the soil surface is best for blueberry production. Install a drainage system before planting. Subsurface drainage pipes are installed 0.8 to 1.2 m (2.5 to 4 ft.) below the soil surface. Drainage systems only work well if they are designed, installed and maintained efficiently.
Irrigation
Blueberries have shallow roots. Most of the roots that take up nutrients and water are in the upper 16 inches of soil and within the dripline of the bush. Uniform and adequate moisture is necessary for good growth and yields. If the crop does not receive 2.5 to 4 cm a week by rainfall, irrigation is required. The most common systems are drip irrigation and overhead sprinkler system. The drip system, which is very popular for blueberries, now apply water to the base of the plants, and avoid wetting the fruit. This prevents fruit from being contaminated or stained with poor quality irrigation water, so that it does not get downgraded or rejected by the packers.
Field Layout
The field design should allow a minimum of 3.7 m (10 ft.) between the rows. A 4.5 to 5.0 m (15 to 16 ft.) wide row break should be allowed every 125 m (400 ft.). The posts for overhead irrigation should be 2.1 m (7 ft.) and placed in the center of the row. Plants should be planted on raised beds to reduce fruit drop during mechanical harvesting. The beds should be 20 cm (8 in.) high and 120 cm (47 in.) wide at the base. Raised beds are very beneficial for plant growth, especially in fields that are slower to drain.
Spacing
Blueberries are normally planted in rows 10 to 12 feet apart and 2 - 4 feet between plants, depending upon your harvesting plan:| 5ft. X 10ft. | 871 plants/acre |
| 4ft. X 10ft. | 1089 plants/acre |
| 3ft. X 10ft. | 1452 plants/acre |
| 2.5ft. X 10ft. | 1742 plants/acre |
| 2.5ft. X 11ft. | 1584 plants/acre |
| 3ft. X 11ft. | 1320 plants/acre |
| 4ft. X 11ft. | 990 plants/acre |
| 3ft. X 11ft. | 1320 plants/acre |
| 2.5ft. X 12ft. | 1450 plants/acre |
| 3ft. X 12ft. | 1176 plants/acre |
