Blueberries are a popular crop for commercial farmers as well as home gardeners in North Carolina. They are fairly easy to grow if provided the right conditions and don't require pesticides to produce a good crop. This makes them a popular choice among organic growers.
Blueberries require annual pruning to reliably produce a high quality crop and maintain bush height to facilitate harvest. Pruning can sometimes intimidate new growers who call Cooperative Extension for help and advice. I have teamed up several times with NC State University Blueberry Specialist Bill Cline to conduct blueberry pruning demonstrations in Chatham County.
NCSU Blueberry Specialist Bill Cline demonstrates how to prune rabbiteye blueberry plants at Howard's Farm in Chatham County for a Cooperative Extension workshop. Photo by Debbie Roos.
Blueberry pruning is done during the dormant season, usually between December-early March in the piedmont. Many people are reluctant to prune because it removes some of the flower buds and reduces berry production for the year, but if pruning is neglected berries get increasingly smaller and bush health declines. Consider pruning an investment in the long-term success of your plants!
NC State University has some excellent resources to help growers with blueberry pruning. Once you understand the why and how of pruning it all makes sense and you will be ready to prune your own bushes!
This video of Bill Cline narrating a Power Point presentation all about blueberry pruning is very helpful because he uses graphics and photos to explain how to prune blueberries. I highly recommend you start by watching this:
Bill has put together other excellent guides full of helpful illustrations showing how to prune – these are linked below, along with some other resources I think are useful. Make sure to check them out!
NC State University and N.C. A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity and prohibit discrimination and harassment regardless of age, color, disability, family and marital status, genetic information, national origin, political beliefs, race, religion, sexual identity (including pregnancy), and veteran status. NC State University, N.C. A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating. Persons with disabilities and persons with limited English proficiency may request accommodations to participate by contacting Ginger Cunningham, County Extension Director, at 919-542-8202, ginger_cunningham@ncsu.edu, or in person at the Chatham County office at least 30 days prior to the event.
