Blueberries are a healthy snack loaded with essential nutrients. While weeding, fertilizing, and watering do bring great results. To get more, even larger blueberries, try pruning. While this does not occur in warm months, you can note the canes now and perhaps mark them for pruning during the dormant season.
Why Prune?
The biggest and most flavorful blueberries are typically borne on strong and newer upright canes in the upper half of the bush. Additionally, bushes that have not been pruned annually may become overgrown and less fruitful. Big blueberries are more accessible to spot, thus, pick. And who would not want a flavorful pie filled with home-grown berries?
Summarily, the best blueberries are produced on 2- to 4-year-old canes. Older canes tend to be weaker and produce smaller berries.
Now, how to prune?
Pruning
By observing your plant now, you can see the most vigorous canes, which you will want to keep. Remove diseased, dead or damaged canes, dead or weak branches, and canes seven years old or older. Remove short or low-hanging canes. Keep the most vigorous canes with several flowering buds. Every few years, prune harder to liven up the plant.
When To Prune?
Like most fruit trees, blueberry bushes should be pruned during the dormant season. This is when the leaves have fallen off, and little energy flows, often in January or February.
Thinking and planning now for the dormant season can bring you a larger harvest next year.
