Monthly Tip

Depending on the variety, you may be harvesting blueberries from your garden right now. Blueberries in stores often come from cooler climates like Oregon and Maine, yet there are several varieties of blueberries that do well in our warmer climate with a little extra care. They all need regular water and well-draining soil with a lower pH (more acidic) than our local native soil. Adding elemental sulfur is a good way to acidify the soil. Harvest blueberries on almost a daily basis, especially if you want to beat the birds and squirrels to the ripe berries. The blueberries are ready to eat when they are uniformly blue/purple, even on the bottom. They should come off easily with a slight tug. Annual post-harvest pruning will stimulate new growth and increase yield. Details are available in a video presentation by a local UC Master Gardener.