HAPPY ACRES FARM, LLC
210 Wright Rd., Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870
252-537-8537
WWW.HAPPYACRESFARM.NET
How to plant Blueberries
It is important that as humans, we have the proper nutrients and conditions to help us survive.
The same is true for plants.
Before you plant your blueberry plants, it is important to prepare the soil to improve their
chances for survival. The following are recommendations we have learned from planting
thousands of blueberry plants.
Preparing the soil:
1. Location:
Before planting, survey your location options. Find a location that has a good water runoff. Blueberry plants need water, however, they cannot survive standing in water for long
periods.
2. Planting in rows:
Regardless of which method you use, it is important you prepare your soil. We plant all
of our plants in rows. The following is how we prepare our soil.
 Between 6 months and a year before we plant, we spray Round-up in two
foot wide rows 200 feet long, 10 feet apart.
 After the grass and weeds are dead, we use a deep cutting plow to cut our
rows, turning the rows in both directions.
 After plowing, we use a 60 inch Roto-tiller to chop up the soil seven
inches deep. We run the tiller approximately four times up and down each
row to ensure a fine soil.
 Next we use a single rower and form all the rows we will be planting.
Each row is two feet wide and 10 feet apart, center to center. Remember,
you need to plant each plant no closer than three feet apart. Divide the
length of your row by the distance you will be planting each plant, the
result will be the amount of plants needed for that row. We started out
planting ours every three feet, but changed to four feet for better air
circulation between plants.
 After making our rows, we apply a layer of Sulphur, fertilizer (14-28-14)
and fine pine bark down the middle of each row.

Again, we take our Roto-tiller and turn each row several times to assure a
good mixture.
U.S.D.A. GAP Certified Fruit Growers, Packaging Facility and Nursery
HAPPY ACRES FARM, LLC
210 Wright Rd., Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870
252-537-8537
WWW.HAPPYACRESFARM.NET

After mixing, we take our rower and form the final rows. Our rows are
now ready for the following years planting. We plant our plants during
their dormant period. December 1 is our start planting day.
3. Planting on mounds:
 If you are planting your plants on mounds, you will need to prepare your
soil, just one mound at a time.
 Round-up a two foot circle for each plant, keeping in mind the distance
between each plant is from the center of each mound.
 You can use a hand Rotto-tiller and dig forming a two foot circle.
 Apply a ½ pound of Sulphur, pint of fertilizer ( if you cannot get 14-2814, 10-10-10 will work) and two shovels of fine pine bark. Take the Rottotiller and mix completely.
 Take a metal rake or hoe and form your mounds. Make each one
approximately 12 inches above the ground.
Your soil is ready for planting, however we recommend you wait at least 6 months before
planting.
Planting your Blueberries
Now that your soil is ready, planting is easy, just time consuming. Depending on which style of
plants you have (bare root or potted), you will plant each plant a little differently.
Bare Root:

Take your plant and stand it up on the prepared soil. Looking at the roots,
determine how deep and wide you will make your planting hole. Make
sure all roots are covered. Do not plant to deep, your plant shoot should be
straight up, and even with the top of your mound. Pack the soil firmly
down, making sure there are no air pockets around the roots.
Potted Plants:
 Carefully roll the plant pot in your hands, pressing slightly inward to
compress the potted soil.
 Insert the plant in between your fingers and turn the pot over slowly.
 When the plant comes out of the pot, place your hand on the bottom of the
plant and turn it right side up.
U.S.D.A. GAP Certified Fruit Growers, Packaging Facility and Nursery
HAPPY ACRES FARM, LLC
210 Wright Rd., Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870
252-537-8537
WWW.HAPPYACRESFARM.NET

Place the plant over the mound and determine the size of hole you will
need to make. After making the hole, gently roll the potted plant soil in
between both hands to slightly loosen up the soil and the roots.
The excess soil will drop into the hole you made. Place the plant into the
hole, while holding it straight up in the hole, push soil around the roots
and gently pack the soil. Continue pulling soil up around the plant until the
entire root mass is covered. Take both hand and press down around the
plant, making sure there are no air pockets.
After planting EACH plant, apply enough water to completely saturate the mound.
Good luck with your Blueberry plants. If you have any questions or comments, you may contact
me at [email protected] or call me at 252-537-8537.
We offer five varieties of Blueberry plants for sale in our Nursery, O’Neal, Legacy, Premier
Powder Blue and Brightwell.
Thank You
James L. Matthews III
Owner/Operator
Happy Acres Farm
210 Wright Rd.
Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870
U.S.D.A. GAP Certified Fruit Growers, Packaging Facility and Nursery