Gardening with Daddy Pete: Planting Blueberries - Ep. 120 - February 19, 2026

Plant Blueberries the right way this season, soil prep, pH targets, best varieties, and simple steps that lead to heavy harvests. In this Gardening Podcast episode, Daddy Pete walks through home blueberry production using guidance from the NC State Extension. You'll learn how to prep a sunny, well-drained bed, why blueberries need acidic soil (about pH 4.5 to 5.0), and how to use organic matter and pine bark fines to improve clay or mountain soils. He also covers when to plant in late winter, why you should grow at least two bushes for better pollination, and how to protect ripe fruit from birds with netting. You'll also hear the difference between highbush and rabbiteye Blueberries, plus variety suggestions by region so you can match the plant to your climate. Expect tips on harvest timing, realistic yields, and easy ways to freeze berries for year-round use. More free resources and archived episodes: daddypetes.com Got a question, submit it on the website and it may be featured in a future show. #Blueberries #Gardening #BlueberryGrowing #BackyardGarden #NCStateExtension