I have six blueberry plants that are eight years old. They have both old and new growth because I haven’t done much pruning. They produce well. We’re going to sell our house and buy a new one, and I’d like to try to move these plants there.
When is the best time of year to do this? I’m not sure, but I think dormancy is best (from now until?)
Any experience, thoughts, suggestions, etc. would be very appreciated. anything I can do to increase my chances of successfully moving them.
BTW, we are only moving from the west Olympic Peninsula down the road a bit to Sequim. Its probably technically in the same zone, though definitely a bit drier and with longer growing season.
Blueberry bushes are a joy to grow in your garden. Their sweet, juicy berries are packed with antioxidants and make a delicious addition to muffins, pancakes, and more. However, you may find yourself needing to transplant an existing blueberry bush in your yard. Knowing the best time to transplant blueberry bushes is key for success.
Why Transplant a Blueberry Bush?
There are a few reasons you may need to transplant a blueberry bush:
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The bush has outgrown its current location. Blueberry bushes can reach heights of 6-12 feet tall and widths of 3-6 feet wide depending on the variety. Over time, they may outgrow their allotted garden space.
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The bush is not thriving Issues like poor drainage, insufficient sunlight, or improper soil pH can cause a blueberry bush to struggle Transplanting it to a new site may reinvigorate growth.
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You’re redesigning your landscape As your garden evolves, you may opt to move plants around. Transplanting blueberries allows you flexibility in garden design
When is the Best Time?
Spring and fall are the best times for transplanting blueberry bushes Here’s an overview of each season
Spring Transplanting
Early spring, just after the last hard frost but before bud break, is an ideal time to transplant blueberry bushes. The timing is crucial—you want the ground thawed but the plant still dormant.
In most climates, this window falls between late February and early April. However, you can gauge readiness by local frost dates and plant development.
Benefits of spring transplanting:
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The plant is dormant, minimizing stress.
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The roots reestablish quickly in the cool, moist soil.
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Transplants have the whole growing season to recover before going dormant in winter.
Fall Transplanting
Early fall is another option for transplanting blueberry bushes. Aim for 6-8 weeks before the first expected frost.
This gives the roots time to settle in their new site before the ground freezes. The ideal fall window is September to early October for most zones.
Benefits of fall transplanting:
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Cooler air temperature reduces transplant shock.
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Spring growth isn’t disrupted.
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Plants avoid summer heat and drought stress.
How to Transplant Blueberry Bushes
Here are some tips for transplanting blueberry bushes successfully:
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Prepare the new site in advance. Blueberries require acidic soil with a pH between 4.5-5.2. Amend the new site with elemental sulfur or pine bark several weeks before transplanting.
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Water the plant well 1-2 days before. This will keep the root ball intact during digging.
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Dig a wide hole. The new hole should be wider than the plant’s root ball but no deeper than original planting depth.
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Carefully dig up the shrub. Use a garden fork to lift the plant out. Keep as many roots intact as possible.
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Prune back branches. Remove any dead or broken stems. Trim healthy branches by 1/3 to reduce transplant shock.
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Place in new hole. Set the blueberry in the prepared hole. Spread roots outward in hole.
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Backfill soil. Fill in around root ball with native soil. Tamp down gently to remove air pockets.
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Water thoroughly. Give newly transplanted bushes 5-10 gallons of water to settle soil.
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Add mulch. Cover base with 2-4 inches of pine bark or shredder leaves.
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Provide follow-up care. Water 1-2 times weekly for newly transplanted bushes depending on rainfall.
Transplant with Care
Give your blueberry bush the best chance of survival by transplanting at the right time of year using careful technique. With proper aftercare, your transplanted blueberry will be yielding sweet berries again in no time!
When To Transplant Hardy Blueberries | Wisconsin Gardening
FAQ
Can you dig up and replant blueberry bushes?
What month can you transplant blueberry bushes?
How many years does it take for a blueberry bush to produce fruit?
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Berry Plant Type
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Years Until Fruit
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Blackberry Plants
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1-2 years
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Blueberry Plants
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2-3 years
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Boysenberry Plants
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2-3 years
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Cranberry Plants
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2-3 years
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What month is best to plant blueberry bushes?
When to transplant blueberry bushes?
The following will walk you through when and how to transplant blueberry bushes. Blueberry plant transplanting should take place when the plant is dormant. This depends upon your location, generally from early November to early March after the worst of the frost has passed.
Can You transplant blueberries?
If you have a blueberry in your yard that isn’t thriving in its location or has become too large for the area, you might be wondering if you can transplant blueberries. Yes, you can easily transplant blueberries! There are, however, a few key steps to ensure success with transplanting blueberry bushes.
When should you plant blueberry plants?
In most grow zones, aim for late fall ( November) or early spring ( March) when the ground isn’t frozen and the plant is dormant. If you are looking to plant potted blueberry shrubs that you purchased at a store, you can transplant them from the pots to the ground outside of this window of time.
Can blueberry bushes be transplanted outside?
If you are looking to plant potted blueberry shrubs that you purchased at a store, you can transplant them from the pots to the ground outside of this window of time. For best results, commit to transplanting blueberry bushes on a day that is not overly hot and sunny. A cooler day can help the plants acclimate to their new location outdoors.