{"id":8044,"date":"2026-06-30T16:25:38","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T22:25:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/?p=8044"},"modified":"2026-07-02T12:57:28","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T18:57:28","slug":"dont-be-give-blueberries-a-try","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/2026\/06\/30\/dont-be-give-blueberries-a-try\/","title":{"rendered":"Don\u2019t Be Shy. Give Blueberries a Try"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group c-breadcrumbs alignfull is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><nav aria-label=\"breadcrumbs\" class=\"rank-math-breadcrumb\"><p><span class=\"last\">Home<\/span><\/p><\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0706528e wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don\u2019t Be Shy. Give Blueberries a Try<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p><em>By Donnetta Wilhelm, Colorado Master Gardener<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When thinking about growing small fruits in Colorado, blueberries don\u2019t rise to the top of the list. They require specific growing conditions: acidic soil with a pH of 4.0 to 5.5. and Colorado soils are alkaline, with a pH of 7.0 to 8.3. However, a gardener with an adventurous spirit can overcome this with a little effort and planning, and will be rewarded with a delectable addition to the garden. Blueberries are loaded with vitamins C and K, manganese, potassium, and fiber. They are low in calories, rich in antioxidants, and widely considered a superfood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"619\" height=\"464\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/Blueberries-in-Cereal.jpg\" alt=\"A bowl of cereal topped with blueberries sits on a table, with extra blueberries scattered nearby.\" class=\"wp-image-8048\" style=\"width:500px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/Blueberries-in-Cereal.jpg 619w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/Blueberries-in-Cereal.jpg?resize=300,225 300w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/Blueberries-in-Cereal.jpg?resize=600,450 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 619px) 100vw, 619px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Mouth-watering blueberries fresh from the garden. Photo:<\/em> <em><em>Silvia from Pixabay<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Persistent and resourceful gardeners have grown blueberries using three essential components:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Selecting planting materials with a pH of 5.5 or below, <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keeping the root zone consistently moist year-round, and <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shielding the bushes from drying winter winds.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"550\" height=\"601\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/Blueberries-in-Field.jpg\" alt=\"A low, leafy blueberry plant with clusters of ripening blueberries grows close to the ground.\" class=\"wp-image-8047\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:500px;height:400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/Blueberries-in-Field.jpg 550w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/Blueberries-in-Field.jpg?resize=275,300 275w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Blueberry bush.<\/em> <em>Photo:<\/em> <em><em><em>Jetro Castro from Pexels<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Sphagnum peat moss is available at local garden centers and has a pH of 3.5 to 5.5. This can be used as the main planting medium in several ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>bale planting method<\/strong> involves digging a hole for the plastic-wrapped sphagnum peat moss bale. Punch large holes in the bottom of the plastic and place the bale in the hole. Cut an &#8220;X&#8221; in the plastic top and plant a bare-root blueberry in the peat moss. Re-close the &#8220;X&#8221; with tape, leaving a 3-inch hole in the middle for the trunk. Run drip irrigation by feeding the line through so it sits between the peat bale and the plastic.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>soil replacement method<\/strong> removes existing soil from a planting area to a depth of 3 feet. Replace it with 1\/3 good commercial topsoil, 1\/3 sphagnum peat moss, and 1\/3 shredded pine bark. Submit a sample of the mix to a soil testing lab for pH testing before planting.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>raised bed method<\/strong> uses a bed at least 3 to 4 feet wide and as long as desired. Depth should also reach 3 feet to prevent blueberry roots from entering native alkaline soil. Use the same specialized soil mix as in the soil replacement method. Another option is a converted water trough found at farm stores and drainage holes drilled in the bottom. For these methods, blueberry varieties such as Blueray, Elliott, Patriot, Northblue, Northsky, and Burgundy are reliable choices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"550\" height=\"607\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/Container-of-Blueberries.jpg\" alt=\"A small blueberry plant grows in a container, supported by wooden stakes and surrounded by mulch.\" class=\"wp-image-8046\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:500px;height:400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/Container-of-Blueberries.jpg 550w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/Container-of-Blueberries.jpg?resize=272,300 272w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Container planting of blueberries. <em>Photo:<\/em> <em><em><em><em>hort.extension.wisc.edu<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Smaller-sized and dwarf varieties are good for the container planting method. Use half-barrel planters or a large 24\u2033 plastic pot with additional drainage holes. Fill the container with the soil mix mentioned above. Containers can be sunk into the ground or used above ground, making sure to winterize appropriately. Recommended container varieties include Peach Sorbet, Blueberry Glaze, Jelly Bean, Midnight Cascade, and Sapphire Cascade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whatever the method, keep soil consistently moist during the growing season. Check the top inch of soil for dryness before watering. Mulch around the base to conserve moisture and keep the roots cool. Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer for acid-loving plants in early May and July. Check soil acidity annually and amend as needed. Wrap dormant plants in burlap or sheets to protect from winter winds. Water during dry winters as needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With one in three U.S. households growing food at home or in community gardens, even the most common fruits are often overlooked as a garden food source. Adding fruit to the home garden is well worth the effort. CSU has helpful resources that can help a beginning fruit grower understand trellising, pests and disease control, fertilization, pruning, and harvesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/extensionpubs.unl.edu\/publication\/ec3078\/2025\/pdf\/view\/ec3078-2025.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Growing Blueberries in Raised Beds and Containers in Home or Urban Landscapes | Nebraska Extension<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Don\u2019t Be Shy. Give Blueberries a Try By Donnetta Wilhelm, Colorado Master Gardener When thinking about growing small fruits in Colorado, blueberries don\u2019t rise to the top&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":8048,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"class_list":["post-8044","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"pp_statuses_selecting_workflow":false,"pp_workflow_action":"current","pp_status_selection":"publish","pp_post_mime_type":"","acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/Blueberries-in-Cereal.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8044","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8044"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8044\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8099,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8044\/revisions\/8099"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8048"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8044"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}