SP284-D-Planting Blueberries in Home Gardens

Blueberries are a popular small-fruited plant in Tennessee. The fruit can be eaten fresh or used in jams, preserves, pies, with ice cream and in blueberry muffins and pancakes. Once established, plants are not difficult to maintain. Establishment, however, can be laborious. Plants can be easily grown in existing home landscapes and provide fruit while adding beauty to the landscape. Birds are usually the most troublesome pest after plants begin to fruit. After planting, the first good fruit yield will generally occur after three to five years. However, the length of time to fruiting will vary with the age of the transplants, rate of growth and health of the plant.