Growing Blueberries in Houston
Who doesn't love a handful of fresh blueberries or blackberries straight from the garden? In Houston, fall is a great time to plant berry bushes. The weather is starting to cool down, but the soil is still warm enough for roots to get established before winter. Keep in mind that the canes or bushes will be dormant right now and you will likely not get a harvest until April or May.
We recently installed two berry patches for a client, and with the right varieties and a little care, they'll have fresh berries to enjoy for years to come.
Choosing the right blueberries for Houston
Blueberries can be a little tricky in Houston, but they're absolutely worth growing if you give them the conditions they need.
For our area, the two main types to look for are rabbiteye and southern highbush blueberries.
Rabbiteye blueberries are particularly well suited to the heat and growing conditions of the Southeast. They're vigorous, long-lived plants and are a good choice for the home garden. Rabbiteyes also benefit from cross-pollination, so you'll want to plant at least two compatible varieties—and having three different varieties can be even better.
Southern highbush blueberries are hybrids bred specifically to perform in warmer climates. They tend to produce large, flavorful berries and can ripen earlier than rabbiteyes, but they can be a little more particular about growing conditions. If you're willing to give them the right soil, drainage, and water, they can do very well here.
For our client, we planted three 'Farthing' and two 'New Hanover' blueberry bushes. Both are southern highbush varieties.
Whichever type you choose, make sure you're buying varieties that are recommended for the Gulf Coast and Houston area. Our hot summers and relatively mild winters mean that variety selection really does matter. If you’re unsure, Buchanan's or Wabash can help you find the right berry bushes for your yard.
Blueberries have very specific soil requirements
This is probably the most important thing to know if you want to grow blueberries in Houston: they need acidic soil.
Blueberries prefer a soil pH of roughly 4.5–5.5. That's considerably more acidic than the soil found in many Houston yards, so you can't simply stick a blueberry bush into the ground and expect it to thrive.
Ideally, have your soil tested before planting so you know what you're working with. If your soil isn't acidic enough, you'll need to amend it or consider growing your blueberries in containers or raised beds where you have more control over the soil.
For our client, we mixed peat moss and compost into the existing soil and then applied Microlife Acidifier pellets. Since we planted in May, we topped the beds with a hardwood mulch to help protect those shallow blueberry roots from the heat and help the soil retain moisture.
One important note: good drainage is just as important as acidic soil. Blueberries don't like to have their feet wet and Houston yards can be riddled with heavy clay soils. If you have an area where water tends to pool, a raised bed or container may be a better option for your berries.
Good luck planting your blueberries and stay tuned for the next berry installment: Blackberries!