Cutting blueberries: timing & instructions

Blueberries should be cut regularly to ensure a good yield. We show you what to look for when cutting blueberries.

blueberries (also called blueberries) are very popular with us. The cultivation of the heather family (Ericaceae) is also possible in your own garden, although the amount of care required depends entirely on the species. In Germany, either the small-growing wild blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) cultivated or cultivated blueberries, which are derived from the American blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) descend. Due to the high growth habit of up to three meters and the good yield, pruning cultivated blueberries, in contrast to wild blueberries, makes sense in certain cases. We show you why and, above all, how you should cut the popular blueberry.

Cutting blueberries / blueberries: why it's worth it

Plant breeding has produced large-fruited and tall cultivated blueberries in the last few decades, which can withstand a cut from time to time. Depending on the variety, the shoots tend to grow in height or in width. A cut does not only help to maintain a beautiful shape and to avoid excessive growth. By removing old shoots, more light comes back into the interior of the shrub. The plant can then invest its strength primarily in the remaining two to three year old shoots, which produce the largest amount of blueberries. The pruning is of particular importance if the bush is infected by a plant disease or a pest. In this case, be sure to cut off affected parts of the plant to prevent further spread. A common problem on the bilberry is, for example, the larvae of the frost moth (Operophtera brumata) represent. In contrast, healthy parts of the plant can also be used for reproduction. When harvesting cuttings, parts of a shoot are cut off and placed in an acidic substrate for root formation. With a little care, it will turn into small blueberry bushes.

More information about the Propagation of blueberries / blueberries see this article.

When should you cut blueberries / blueberries?

In the first few years after planting, the blueberry should no longer be pruned due to its slow development. It is then advisable to carry out a thinning cut every three to four years to stimulate new growth from the base of the stock. You should remove old, diseased and too shallow shoots. Basically, the optimal time to cut blueberries after the harvest is in autumn (October / November) or in early spring (until March). During this time, the plant is no longer growing and the shrub can tolerate the cut better.

Cuttings are also usually taken and planted in autumn. When cutting in winter (if it does happen), however, make sure to use the Do not cut at freezing temperatures as this will affect the plant as well can harm. An exception to winter pruning, however, is pruning due to pests from spring to summer.

Cutting blueberries / blueberries: Instructions

For the correct pruning of the blueberry, always cut off only a few shoots on the plant and do not carry out a radical pruning. Gnarled and diseased branches can always be removed. An optimal shrub consists of about six to eight (three to four year old) branches and a few young shoots.

If a new shrub is still a very young specimen, it is also worth moving into the Cut off the flowers in the first few years and the berries only start to grow over a certain shrub size permit. So the plant can put all of its energy into growth.

Cutting blueberries / blueberries: the essentials in brief

• Cut every 3 to 4 years
• Thinning of the shrub in winter
• No cutting work in frost
• Remove sick and gnarled shoots from time to time
• In the first years of very young plants, cap the flowers

These products are ideal for cutting your shrubs, hedges and trees:

• Felco secateurs: Manual pruning, pruning and pruning shears recommended for all types of cutting. In addition to plastic-coated handles, it has a precision adjustment system for the blade and anvil blade.
• Felco fruit tree and secateurs: Robust fruit tree and secateurs with wire cutter, sap groove and micrometer adjustment.
• Gardena telescopic arm scissors: Practical secateurs for effortless cutting of tall trees and dense shrubs from the ground.

In addition to pruning, there are other care measures that ensure a more productive blueberry harvest. You can find the best here Tips for growing blueberries / blueberries.