If you couldn't grow blueberries; there are varieties for California's milder climates

Sunset, Jan, 1990

If you couldn't grow blueberries Choosing the right variety is the first step to growing good blueberries. In California's mildest climates, more and more gardeners are finding that 'Sharpblue'--once thought to be a rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinum ashei) but now known to be a southern highbush type (V. corymbosum) with low chill requirements--outperforms all other varieties.

Although it's self-fertile and so can be grown alone, 'Sharpblue' does better when cross-pollinated with other southern highbush varieties such as 'Sunshineblue'. During peak harvest (in April and May), the 'Sharpline' shown above left yields a couple of cups of fruit every three days. Berries are large, sweet, and juicy. The plant bears occasional fruit most of the year, and in fall yields a small second harvest.

Blueberry canes begin producing fruit after two years, and plants reach full fruitbearing capacity in about 5 years (they can live about 20).

Grown in containers or in the ground, plants reach 6 feet or taller. In fall in mild climates, leaves turn shades of red, and most cling to the branches until new green ones appear in spring.

Now through February is the time to plant bare-foot blueberries. Container plants are available almost year-round. If you can't find 'Sharpblue' locally, you can order from Hartmann's Plantation, Inc., Box E, Grand Junction, Mich. 49056 (free catalog).

How to grow blueberries

In coastal areas, plant blueberries in full sun. Inland, plant where they'll get some afternoon shade. Plants need consistent watering for good fruit production, and acid soil that drains well (Southern California's soils are naturally alkaline).

To compensate, plant them in containers filled with 100 percent peat moss; or try one of the recipes used with the plants pictured on this page.

* The six-year-old in the barrel grows in a mix of 6 parts moistened peat moss, 3 parts azalea mix, and 1 part sand.

* The mix in the plastic cylinder is equal parts peat moss and azalea mix.

From January through September, feed blueberries every six weeks with an acid fertilizer. In November, work in about 1/4 cup of soil sulfur around base of plants.

Blueberries require little pruning. In winter, shape plants and restore vigor by cutting branches three years old or older back to the base. Remove only branches that are too tall or no longer bear fruit.