Woodard blueberry plants are a popular choice for home gardeners, known for their abundant fruit and manageable size. Understanding their specific needs allows for a consistent supply of delicious fruit.
Discovering Woodard Blueberry
The Woodard blueberry is a rabbiteye variety (Vaccinium ashei ‘Woodard’). It grows 5 to 6 feet tall and wide with a multi-stemmed, spreading habit. The berries are medium-sized, light or powder-blue, and sweet when ripe, but tart before full maturity.
This variety is vigorous, productive, and adaptable. Woodard blueberries are cold hardy in USDA Zones 7-9, needing 300-400 chill hours. They are also heat tolerant, suitable for warmer climates, and resistant to common pests and diseases. The dark green foliage turns scarlet or red-orange in fall, adding ornamental value.
Planting Woodard Blueberry
Blueberries require full sun (at least 6-8 hours daily) and well-drained soil. They are sensitive to standing water; avoid heavy, clayey soils.
Soil acidity is crucial, with an ideal pH of 4.5 to 5.5. Most garden soils require preparation to achieve this. Incorporating organic matter like peat moss or pine bark helps lower pH and improve drainage. For significant pH adjustments, mix elemental sulfur into the soil several months prior.
Dig a hole 2-3 times wider than the root ball and equally deep, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with or slightly above the soil surface. Space bushes 5-6 feet apart. Backfill with amended soil and water thoroughly. Like other rabbiteye varieties, Woodard blueberries benefit from cross-pollination for maximum yield; plant at least two different rabbiteye varieties that bloom concurrently.
Caring for Your Woodard Blueberry Plant
Consistent watering is important, especially during dry periods and berry development. They need 1-2 inches of water per week from rain or irrigation. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, as shallow roots are prone to damage. Apply a 2-6 inch layer of organic mulch (pine bark, straw, or wood chips) around the base to retain moisture, regulate temperature, and suppress weeds.
Fertilization supports growth and fruit production. Do not fertilize in the first year. Starting in the second year, apply an acid-loving plant fertilizer in early spring and potentially again after harvest. These fertilizers maintain soil acidity and provide nutrients best absorbed in low pH.
Pruning promotes vigor and fruit quality. Prune in late winter or early spring while dormant, before new growth. Remove dead, diseased, weak branches, and low-growing shoots. For mature bushes, thin 10-15% of older, less productive canes by cutting them back to 6-12 inches from the ground annually to encourage new growth. Woodard blueberries are resilient to common pests and diseases, requiring minimal intervention.
Harvesting Woodard Blueberries
Woodard blueberries ripen from late spring to early summer (late May to July, regionally). Ripeness is indicated by color; fully ripe berries are light or silvery blue. Wait a few days after they turn blue for full sweetness and flavor.
Another sign is easy detachment from the stem. A ripe berry rolls off effortlessly. If you pull, it’s not ripe; leave it to mature. A mature plant can yield up to 15 pounds. Enjoy fresh, use in cooking/baking, or freeze for storage.