Growing blueberries in the shade - can you plant them under trees?

Blueberries are not only a delicious berry, but also a very beautiful plant with shiny leaves and bell-shaped white flowers. Where do blueberries grow - in the shade or in the sun? The answer is clear - culture loves bright sunlight.

Sun or shade?

Blueberry is a deciduous shrub of the Heather family up to 1 meter high, the closest relative of blueberries and lingonberries. In nature, it grows in swamps, peat bogs, near rivers and in the upper belt of mountains.

Blueberries are very fond of sun and warmth. The sun's rays promote rapid growth, abundant flowering and the production of sugar in berries. They become incredibly sweet and delicious.

Will blueberries grow in the shade?

Common undersized (forest) blueberries prefer areas with little shade. However, for planting on the site, tall blueberry seedlings are often purchased. This species tolerates shading much worse.

Blueberries grow worse in the shade, their berries are smaller and not so sweet.

Of course, a lot depends on the climate. In the south, where the sun is bright and it is hot in summer, planting crops in partial shade and shade is quite acceptable. The main thing is that the shade is not too thick and the plant receives at least 5-6 hours of direct sun.

Other landing site requirements

We have already found out that the culture prefers sunny areas. But planting it in the central part of the garden is unacceptable. It is important that the shrubbery is protected from wind and drafts.

To create a favorable microclimate, blueberries are planted near trees, a fence, and dense bushes. But protection from the wind must be located on the north side. So the plant will be reliably protected and receive a sufficient amount of sun.

Blueberries grow well next to fir, pine, viburnum, rhododendron, lingonberries, blueberries, cranberries and currants. Not bad - with raspberries, potatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, corn and herbs. Apple, pear, sea buckthorn and apricot are considered bad neighbors for her.

Subtleties you need to know

Blueberry seedlings are not a cheap pleasure. Many people buy them, but later become very disappointed. Up to 80% of the bushes die in the second year, and those that remain do not bear fruit. This is because culture needs special conditions:

• Special primer. Blueberries grow exclusively in acidic soil (PH 3-4.5). Large holes are dug for planting seedlings (50 by 50 cm) and completely filled with a substrate consisting of 2 parts of high-moor red peat, 1 part of vermicompost and 1 part of light loam. It is also desirable to add 1–2 parts of coniferous litter - needles, small twigs, rotted cones, bark to the soil mixture.
• Stimulates root growth. Saplings take root hard in a new place. In order for the root system to begin to develop, it is recommended to use root formation stimulants ("Heteroauxin" or others). Before planting, the roots must be straightened, trying not to injure.
• Acidification. A special acidic soil is enough for about 2 years. After that, the land under the bush must be acidified again at the beginning of the growing season and in September (annually). The simplest remedy is colloidal sulfur. The powder is scattered around the blueberries (2 tablespoons) or diluted with water in a dose that is half that indicated in the instructions.
• Fertilizer use. Only mineral fertilizers (with sulfur) are suitable for the plant. It cannot be fed with organic matter, especially unripe compost and bird droppings.
• A combination of several varieties. Cross-pollination is the key to a large harvest of berries. When several varieties are planted, the yield increases by a third.

Blueberries are a moisture-loving plant.It is important to water it regularly and abundantly (2 times a week, 10 liters). To slow down the evaporation of moisture, the bushes are mulched. It is advisable to use coniferous litter as mulch.

Blueberries are an incredible berry: sweet, tasty, healthy for the heart, blood vessels and immunity. However, few gardeners decide to grow it on the site. Planting and caring for a plant is simple, but has many subtleties. The shrub often dies after 1–2 years. To avoid the death of the bush, it is important not only to choose a sunny place, but also to pay attention to other nuances of growing. Follow all the rules, and then blueberries will certainly delight you with a good harvest of delicious delicious berries.