The blueberries are fruiting! But there’s actually an important step to ensure a full harvest — you need to plant two. The University of Florida suggests planting two different varieties within the same cultivar. For example, a Windsor and a Star: they are both Southern Highbush cultivars, which are popular in our 9B zone.
This planting method results in necessary cross-pollination, which is where insects or wind will apply pollen from one blueberry flower variety to the other blueberry flower variety, ensuring a full harvest in both plants.
Blueberries need at least five hours of direct sunlight and rich, acidic soil to thrive, like Black Gold® Garden Compost.
For additional success, mulch around the base to retain moisture, remove fruit and flowers the first year to focus the energy on the roots, prune weak or leggy branches, and follow our Watering Schedule to establish the shrubs.
You can also plant pollinator-friendly flowers near your blueberries to encourage more fruit production. A full garden is a happy garden.