Each year as the Blueberries start to show color, the birds start to show up and wait. So netting is applied over the plants to protect them from the birds. The Southern Highbush blueberries are starting to show color first, so we are netting them this week. … [Read more...] about Blueberry Netting
We started pruning blueberry shrubs today. The best time to prune blueberry shrubs is while they are dormant but before the buds begin to swell. Here in Missouri for us the best time is late February to early March. The buds are already starting to swell on some of the varieties here at the station, so we have to be careful not to damage them. It is best to prune them on a cold … [Read more...] about Pruning Blueberries
The first harvest of the Southern Highbush Blueberry cultivar evaluation was today June 7, 2022. While it was a small harvest, these cultivars are ripening ahead of the Northern Highbush Blueberries that are also planted here at the station. This project is funded by the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and the USDA. … [Read more...] about Southern Highbush Blueberry Harvest
Southern highbush blueberries were planted in a new research plot today. Again, spring or fall is the ideal time for planting blueberries to reduce transplant shock and allow the plants to establish a solid root system before winter time. However, the wet spring weather and scheduling prevented us from planting until now. At least this week was "cooler". The key to planting … [Read more...] about Southern Highbush Blueberries Planted
Today the field crew burned holes in the weed barrier for the blueberry plants to be planted soon. They used a homemade device to measure the plant spacing and a propane torch to burn and remove the hole for the plant. … [Read more...] about Burning holes in the weed barrier for the blueberry plants