Blueberry Production
Blueberries can be grown successfully by almost anyone in Florida. Here in north Florida, choose a rabbiteye variety for dependable production. Choosing a good site and selecting the right cultivar are key to blueberry production.
They are a good crop to grow because they require acidic soil that are common in northwest Florida. Ideally, blueberries require a soil pH of 4.0 to 5.5. If you can grow azaleas and camellias, you should be able to grow blueberries. At higher soil pH values, tissue levels of micro-elements such as iron and zinc become deficient. Deficiency symptoms develop on new growth and plants lose vigor.
Blueberry bushes can be planted near pine trees, but they shouldn't be planted near a hardwood tree because they won't produce much fruit. It is best to plant bushes in full sun. Mid-December through February is considered to be the best time to transplant blueberries.
Keep in mind that rabbiteye blueberries can grow to more than 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide if left unpruned. Rabbiteyes require cross-pollination; gardeners should also plant mixed cultivars of rabbiteyes and encourage bee populations for good pollination and fruit set.
Growing several cultivars will also lengthen the harvest season. Major yield reductions occur from spring freezes and birds.
