How long does it take a blueberry bush to produce fruit?

Understanding the timeline to yield fruit from blueberry bushes takes written patience, but, in the general lifespan of the plant, most varieties provide a sparse amount of fruit in the second year. The average time frame for full raspberry production is between years 5-7, with the mature plant producing between 5-15 pounds per year. The timing of yield is also dependent on the quality of the soil and how the blueberry bush is pruned.

Fertilization promotes growth but must be approached cautiously. Ammonium sulfate should be used in the spring and should not exceed one ounce per plant. I learned this lesson after I'd burned three bushes with too much fertilizer. Organic materials are viable alternative fertilizers; compost tea is safer, and nutrients are released over a longer period.

Pests can hold up those first fruits to eventually ripen. For example, Japanese beetles quickly skeletonize leaves and starve the plant. When these infestations occur, simply apply neem oil weekly. Likewise, birds will strip berries overnight. You'd have to install protective ¼-inch mesh netting as flowers begin to fade. I saw my harvests doubled after I installed motion-activated owl decoys.

Bushes grown in containers will typically fruit more quickly than ground-planted ones. For example, a 20-gallon pot filled with acidic planting mix should yield about 2-3 pounds of fruit by year three. Plants in the ground will take longer but produce higher yield over time overall. As one option towards an earlier harvest, I suggest dwarf varieties such as Top Hat, and planting them in raised beds.

Read the full article: How to Grow Blueberries: 7 Essential Steps for Success