How and when do I prune and fertilize blueberry bushes?

Question

My blueberry bushes have gotten really tall (8') and are spindly. They are fairly old, and have not gotten much maintenance. They don't have a lot of berries now, so what do I need to do to get them back in shape?

Answer 1

My neighbors bushes are 12 ft tall...................sounds like you need that special fertilizer at the lawn & garden store.  Any haircut would have to be in the fall.  be very careful trimming....

Answer 2

In the winter, before MARCH prune any criss-cross canes.  Cut at the base.  Also prune any weak or sick-looking canes.  Fertilize with azalea/rhododendrom fertilizer, placing  about 18" from the base of the plant.  Ding in lightly, (only an inch or two deep), water well, and mulch with about four inches of pine needles (pine straw, if you are southern) or pine bark.  Do this every early winter.  IF you have properly prepared your soil when you planted initiallly, you may use 10-10-10 fertilizer, using one ounce for each year the bush is old (ie, 2 year old bush, 3 oz, 4 year old bush, 4 oz, etc)  but never using over 6 oze same manner,. per bush.  Apply in thlate winter when the new leaves begin to come on the plant, and again a few weeks later when the flower buds begin to come on.  Hope this helps, Ellie