Growing Blueberries in December: Tips and Advice for Winter Planting

Winter might seem like a time when gardening slows down, but for some hardy plants like blueberries, it’s an excellent opportunity to get ahead. Blueberries, known for their delicious and antioxidant-rich fruits, can be successfully planted in December. By taking advantage of the cooler months, you give your blueberries a head start, allowing them to establish strong roots before the growing season kicks into full swing in spring.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of planting and growing blueberries in December, offering tips on variety selection, soil preparation, winter care, and everything you need to ensure your blueberry bushes thrive and produce a bountiful harvest.

Why Plant Blueberries in December?

Planting blueberries in December has several benefits. While blueberries are dormant during the winter months, this is the perfect time to get them established in the garden. By planting them in the cooler weather, you allow the roots to develop in undisturbed soil, which helps the plants to grow more vigorously when spring arrives.

Blueberries are also highly frost-tolerant, so they can be planted when temperatures are low. Getting them in the ground during winter means they will be ready to produce a healthy crop of fruit by late spring or early summer.

Benefits of Planting Blueberries in December:

Dormant Period: Planting during dormancy allows the roots to establish themselves without the stress of supporting active growth.
Cold Tolerance: Blueberries are hardy and can handle frost, making them ideal for winter planting.
Early Establishment: By planting in December, the bushes have ample time to settle in and get established before the growing season begins, leading to stronger plants.
Maximized Growing Season: Getting your blueberries planted early ensures they take full advantage of the spring and summer seasons for fruit production.

Choosing the Right Blueberry Varieties for Winter Planting

Choosing the right variety is key to ensuring that your blueberries thrive when planted in winter. Blueberries are divided into three main types: Highbush, Lowbush, and Rabbiteye, each with their own advantages depending on your growing zone.

For most gardeners planting in December, Highbush varieties, especially Northern Highbush, are ideal as they are hardy and can withstand colder climates. However, if you’re gardening in a warmer region, you might opt for Rabbiteye or Southern Highbush varieties.

Recommended Blueberry Varieties for Winter Planting:

Bluecrop: A Northern Highbush variety that’s extremely hardy and reliable, making it perfect for cold climates. It produces large, sweet berries and is known for being productive and easy to care for.
Patriot: Another cold-hardy variety, Patriot performs well in less-than-ideal soil conditions and produces large, flavorful berries. It’s a good choice for gardeners in colder areas.
Legacy: A versatile variety that thrives in both cold and moderate climates. It produces high yields of medium-sized, delicious berries and is great for fresh eating or freezing.
Sunshine Blue: A compact Southern Highbush variety that is more suited to milder winters but still offers excellent frost tolerance. It also has attractive foliage and pink flowers.
Jersey: This variety is well-known for producing abundant crops of sweet berries. It is hardy and works well in colder climates.

When selecting your blueberry variety, consider the chill hours (the amount of time below 7°C or 45°F that the plant requires to fruit), especially if you live in a milder climate. Most Northern Highbush varieties require 800-1,000 chill hours, while Rabbiteye varieties need fewer.

Preparing the Soil for Blueberry Planting

Blueberries have specific soil requirements, and getting the soil right is crucial to their success. They prefer acidic soil, with a pH level between 4.5 and 5.5. If your soil is not naturally acidic, you’ll need to amend it to create the right environment for blueberries.

Steps for Preparing Soil for Blueberries:

Test the Soil: Before planting, test the soil pH to ensure it’s within the right range (4.5-5.5). You can buy a soil testing kit at any garden center or send a sample to a local agricultural extension for testing.
Amend the Soil: If the pH is too high, you can lower it by adding ericaceous compost, sulfur, or peat moss to the planting area. Blueberries also thrive in well-drained, loamy soil. If your soil is heavy clay, consider planting in raised beds or adding sand to improve drainage.
Add Organic Matter: Incorporate plenty of organic material such as compost, pine needles, or well-rotted manure into the soil. Organic matter improves soil structure, helps retain moisture, and slowly releases nutrients, which blueberries need for healthy growth.
Drainage: Blueberries do not tolerate waterlogged soil. Ensure the planting area drains well, as standing water around the roots can lead to root rot. If needed, mound the soil or create raised beds to prevent water from pooling.

How to Plant Blueberries in December

Once the soil is prepared, it’s time to plant your blueberry bushes. Whether you’re planting bare-root plants or potted blueberries, the process is simple.

Planting Bare-Root Blueberries

Soak the Roots: If you’re planting bare-root blueberry bushes, soak the roots in water for a few hours before planting to rehydrate them.
Dig the Hole: Dig a hole that’s about twice the width of the root ball and slightly deeper than the plant’s current root depth. Blueberry roots tend to spread out rather than down, so give them plenty of horizontal space.
Planting Depth: Set the plant in the hole so that the top of the root ball is level with or just below the soil surface. Fill in with soil, gently firming it around the roots to eliminate air pockets.
Mulch: Mulch around the base of the plant with pine bark, wood chips, or pine needles. Mulching helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and maintain the soil’s acidity.

Planting Potted Blueberries

If you’re planting a potted blueberry plant, the process is very similar:

Loosen the Roots: Remove the plant from the pot and gently loosen the roots if they are tightly bound.
Dig the Hole: Dig a hole twice as wide and about the same depth as the root ball.
Planting: Place the plant in the hole, making sure the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Backfill with soil and firm down gently.
Watering: Water the plant well after planting to help the roots settle in.

Caring for Blueberries Through Winter

Once your blueberries are planted, caring for them through the winter is fairly easy. Since blueberries are dormant during this time, they require little maintenance, but proper care will ensure they establish well for the spring growing season.

Watering

During winter, blueberries won’t need as much water as in the warmer months, but it’s important to keep the soil moist, especially if there are long periods of dry weather. Check the soil regularly, and water if the top 2-3 inches are dry. Be careful not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot.

Mulching

Mulching is essential for protecting the roots from freezing temperatures and maintaining soil moisture. Apply a 2-4 inch layer of organic mulch, such as pine bark or wood chips, around the base of the plant. This will insulate the soil and keep it from drying out.

Frost Protection

Although blueberries are frost-hardy, young plants may benefit from extra protection during extremely cold spells. Use garden fleece, row covers, or cloches to protect the bushes if temperatures drop significantly below freezing.

Pruning

Pruning is an important part of maintaining healthy blueberry plants, but it’s best done after the plants are established, usually in late winter or early spring. In the first year, avoid pruning to allow the plant to focus on root development. For older plants, remove any dead or damaged wood, and thin out the bush to allow air circulation and light penetration.

Harvesting Blueberries

If you’ve planted your blueberry bushes in December, you can expect them to start producing fruit by late spring or early summer. The exact timing will depend on the variety and your local climate, but generally, blueberries are ready for harvest around June or July.

Tips for Harvesting Blueberries:

Wait for Ripeness: Blueberries are ready to pick when they are fully blue with no green or red tinge. They should come off the bush easily with a gentle tug.
Frequent Harvesting: Blueberries ripen over several weeks, so check your bushes regularly and harvest ripe berries every few days.
Storage: Freshly picked blueberries can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. They also freeze well—simply spread them out on a baking sheet, freeze until firm, and transfer to a freezer bag for long-term storage.

Conclusion

Planting blueberries in December is a great way to get ahead on your gardening season. With proper soil preparation, the right variety selection, and winter care, you’ll have healthy, well-established blueberry plants ready to produce delicious fruit in the coming spring and summer.

By following the tips in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying fresh, homegrown blueberries from your garden year after year. Whether you’re growing in raised

beds, containers, or directly in the ground, blueberries are a rewarding crop that will provide you with sweet, nutritious fruit for many seasons to come.

Find out more things you can grow in December here