If you want excellent yields of blueberries, here's how to properly fertilize them

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If you want excellent yields of blueberries, here's how to properly fertilize them
One of the best ways to ensure a great harvest of delicious blueberries is to give them the vigor they need for strong root development, thick foliage and plenty of bud production.
When blueberry bushes struggle to produce or even survive, the problem is usually due to one of three main problems - the bush is not getting enough light, the soil doesn't have the right pH - or - and this is often the biggest problem of all, the plant is not getting enough nutrients.
Blueberries definitely need sunlight for growth and production. And much more! In fact, for maximum yields, blueberry bushes need at least 6 full hours of sunlight each day. In addition, they also need soil that leans toward the acidic side. As an acid-loving plant, blueberries need soil with a pH somewhere between 4.4 and 4.8.
But when it comes to the nutrients your blueberries need to thrive and produce - it's extremely important that you feed your bushes not only the right kind of energy, but that you give it to them at the right time. With that in mind, here's a look at how to prime your blueberries for success this year!
Like almost all plants, blueberries need the BIG 3 nutrients - nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus (NPK) for good growth. And for good fruit production, those three main sources of energy must be fairly balanced.
But, and this is important, the nitrogen source should be different from that provided by most standard fertilizers. Unfortunately, one of the biggest mistakes when fertilizing blueberries is giving the bushes the wrong type of nitrogen. It is vital not to use standard nitrate-based fertilizers.
Nitrate is actually toxic to blueberries and can actually harm the bush instead of boosting it.
So what type of fertilizer do you need? For best results, blueberry bushes need an ammonium/sulfur form of nitrogen for energy. And that's why when choosing a fertilizer for blueberries, you always want to choose a fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants. Why? Because it will contain the right kind of nitrogen.
Look for fertilizers that like granular acid plants with an NPK in the 4-3-4 to 4-3-6 range.
They often state that they are especially for blueberries, azaleas, rhododendrons and other acid-loving plants. This balanced energy source will help maintain good growth habits and better fruiting.
Unlike many perennials, blueberries actually benefit from fertilizing multiple times throughout the year. In fact, for maximum yields, it is best to give them a dose of fertilizer at three specific but separate times. The good news is that you can use the same acid-loving granular fertilizer for all three applications.
The first dose of blueberry fertilizer should be applied early in the season. This application should be continued just before or when the bushes begin to leaf out. This helps the bush produce strong foliage and allows it to store more energy for flower production.
There's no doubt about it, vigorous early growth is vital to setting the stage for vigorous flowering. This early dose of power sets the stage for everything to come.
The second application of granular fertilizer should be four to six weeks after the initial dose. This burst of energy for the bush is critical because it helps it replenish all the nutrients it used to prepare for fruiting. Starting the bush at this time will help encourage higher production and maximum yields.
The third and final boost of fertilizer should arrive in your bushes right after they finish producing. At this point, the bush needs additional nutrition to replace all the energy it used for the fruits. This application is vitally important and is usually the one that is most often missed.
Although the third dose will not help produce more berries, it allows the bush to recover and begin to store energy for the next season. Without it, next year's production levels will not be as fruitful.
One time you don't want to fertilize your blueberry bushes is late fall.
Another note - when mulching blueberries, you can give them a little extra acid by mulching with green pine needles. Fresh pine needles release acid as they brown. They are a great organic way to give your blueberries even more power!