RABBITEYE BLUEBERRIES
LOCATION Select a location with at least 6 hours light. Full sun is o.k. If you can keep the soil moist and maintain a mulch. The north or east side of a house, solid fence, or other structure is usually good. Drainage needs to be good,without water standing after heavy rains. Do not try to grow in an exposed hot location.
 
 
 
VARIETIES Many new and better varieties have made the Rabbiteye Blueberry not only easier to grow, but have improved the size and flavor of the fruit. Be sure to plant two different varieties for pollination and good fruit production. This will also give fruit over a longer time span.
 
   
     
SOIL & PLANTING Blueberries require loose acid soil with lots of organic matter. A pH of 4.5 to 5.5 is best. Up to 6.0 is still O.K. If you are not sure use about a half cup soil sulphur for each bush planted. This will usually provide a low enough pH to grow Blueberries. Also work into the soil at least half Peat Moss, pin Bark, or you can use Warren's Azalea Planting Mix to provide the organic matter. This also improves the acidity. Plant at the same level as in the pot; after planting apply one to two inches of Pine Bark Mulch over the soil for a circle of at least 2 feet. Do not cultivate; if weeds appear pull them.
 
   
   
   
SPACING Blueberries can be planted 3 to 4 feet apart to give a hedge like planting. If you wish individual plants, spacing needs to be 6 to 8 feet apart. Plants may grow 6 to 8 ft. high and 6 feet wide if not pruned.
   
     
CARE Water at least one to two times per week in hot weather the first two years after planting. Water enough to wet soil to the point of run off. Maintain 1 to 2 inches of mulch on the plants all year. Fertilize in March, May and October with Fertilome azalea food at one-half recommended amount per bush. Do not get it next to main stem. Pruning is not needed except to shape the bush, or control size if it gets too large. Do this as soon as harvest is trough. Berries are produced in early to midsummer. Some fruit may be expected the second year. A well cared for bush in 5 years may produce 20-30 pints of fruit.
   
ORNAMENTAL USE The Rabbiteye Blueberry is a very attractive shrub that can be used for decorative as well as fruit production. The leaves are very deep bluish-green all summer. In the fall the leaves turn brilliant shades of orange and red for several weeks. This can be a very nice addition to any landscape.

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