Blueberries are a rewarding crop for the home garden in Arkansas, offering sweet fruit and attractive landscape foliage. Successful cultivation depends on proper planning and preparation, as these plants have highly specific environmental needs. Understanding the best timing for planting and the unique soil requirements of blueberries is necessary to ensure a productive and long-lived planting. This process begins with a careful look at the climate and soil conditions specific to the state.
Optimal Planting Times in Arkansas
Home gardeners have two primary windows for establishing new blueberry plants, both tied to the plant’s natural dormancy cycle. The most advantageous time to plant dormant, bare-root stock is during late fall or early winter, typically from November through February, when the ground is not frozen. Planting during this dormant season allows the root system to establish itself over the cool, moist months.
This early establishment allows the plant to develop a strong root base before the stress of Arkansas’s intense summer heat arrives. Potted or containerized plants can also be planted in late fall or early spring, as soon as the danger of a hard freeze has passed. If planting in spring, do so as early as possible to give the plant maximum time to settle before the high temperatures of June and July.
Selecting Cultivars for Arkansas Climates
Choosing the correct type of blueberry is necessary because Arkansas spans multiple climate zones affecting chilling hour requirements and heat tolerance. The state generally supports three main types: Northern Highbush, Southern Highbush, and Rabbiteye. Northern Highbush varieties, such as ‘Bluecrop’ or ‘Duke,’ are best suited for the cooler, higher-elevation areas of Northern Arkansas, as they require more chilling hours and tolerate less summer heat.
For central and southern regions, Southern Highbush and Rabbiteye varieties perform better due to their tolerance for high daytime temperatures. Southern Highbush cultivars like ‘Ozarkblue’ and ‘Legacy’ are recommended, combining high fruit quality with necessary heat resistance. Rabbiteye varieties, including ‘Climax,’ ‘Premier,’ and ‘Tifblue,’ are vigorous and drought-tolerant, making them reliable choices for the mid-to-lower state. Planting at least two different cultivars that bloom around the same time is required for effective cross-pollination, which increases fruit set and berry size.
Essential Soil Preparation
Soil preparation is the most important step for blueberry success, as these plants require a highly acidic environment to thrive. The ideal soil pH range for cultivated blueberries in Arkansas is between 4.5 and 5.5, with many extension services recommending an optimum closer to 4.8 to 5.4. Any pH above 6.0 prevents the plant from absorbing necessary micronutrients like iron, causing the leaves to yellow, a condition known as chlorosis.
Before planting, the existing soil must be tested to determine its current pH level. If the native soil is not acidic enough, elemental sulfur should be applied six months to a year before the bushes are installed. Elemental sulfur is a slow-acting acidifier that requires time and microbial activity to lower the pH.
For sandy soils, approximately 0.75 pounds of sulfur per 100 square feet is needed to lower the pH by one full point. Heavier clay soils may require double that amount.
Blueberries have a shallow, fibrous root system sensitive to poor drainage. A well-drained, sandy-loam soil with high organic matter content is preferred. If a site has heavy clay or poor drainage, planting on a raised bed mounded several inches to a foot high is recommended. Incorporating pre-moistened peat moss into the planting hole, at a rate of about one gallon per plant, helps maintain the necessary acidity and improves soil structure.
The Physical Planting Process
When transplanting, dig a hole that is wide and shallow, roughly twice the width of the root system but no deeper than the plant was growing in the nursery. Planting too deeply is a common mistake that can smother the shallow root crown.
After placing the plant in the hole, spread the roots of bare-root stock laterally. The root ball of a container plant should be lightly scored or loosened if it is pot-bound. Fill the hole with the amended soil mixture, ensuring the root crown remains at or slightly above the surrounding soil level.
Immediately after planting, a thorough watering is necessary to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets around the roots. Finally, apply a thick layer of organic mulch, such as pine needles, pine bark, or wood chips, around the base of the plant.
A layer five to six inches deep is recommended to keep the shallow roots cool, conserve soil moisture, and suppress weed growth. Allow three to four feet of space between individual bushes in a row to accommodate the mature size of the plant.