Growing Blueberries

 Here is my best professional Horticulturist advice for growing blueberries in this area: (southern Minnesota)   Don't do it. Yes, it's that simple! Forget it. Drop it. Don't go there etc. etc. Okay, so you want an explanation?

Have you heard the saying wrong plant wrong place? Something like that applies. Blueberries are very picky.

• Strike 1 They NEED (not just prefer) acidic soil, about 2 points lower than what is normal around here. Our soil ph is around 6-6.5 in this area. Blueberries NEED a ph of 4.5. What,  2 points you say? It's a near impossibility to achieve and maintain it.
• Strike 2 Blueberries love a peaty-moist soil, areas around here are mostly clay and sand loam. Yes, you can amend the soil with peat. However, if peaty soil ever dries out, it is almost impossible to re-wet it, it becomes impervious to water.
• Strike 3 Plants need annual pruning, that is if that rabbits haven't done it for you. Flowers (your potential berries) can be damaged by late spring frosts.

Frustration and aggravation will soon follow. Year after year as you pick your 5 measly blueberries, you'll have wished you followed my advice. Yes, I have fell into the blueberry trap myself. Luscious visions of huge, sweet blueberries in my cereal every morning. Still waiting....... My second attempt ended in 2006 when I pulled 25 plants up and burned them and have felt sweet revenge ever since.
I say, let Michigan grow the peaches and blueberries and let's focus on plants we have more assured success with. When you see them in the garden centers...resist my friend.