Wild blueberries are a total treat, and as the name suggests, you’ll usually find them tucked away in the woods. If you’ve got the patience for a forest trek, you can fill up a bucket with these tiny flavor bombs. But have you ever wondered if you can skip the hike and grow wild blueberries right in your own backyard?
Prepping Your Soil for Success
If you don’t want to lace up your hiking boots every time you crave fresh berries, you can definitely try growing them at home. A nice bonus? Growing them in your garden helps you avoid concerns like fox tapeworm (though a good wash usually takes care of that anyway). Of course, you should still give your homegrown berries a quick rinse before snacking!
In the wild, these berries thrive in marshy, open woodlands. Since most of us don’t have a swampy forest in our backyard, you’ll need to do a little prep work. Just like their bigger cousins, the highbush blueberries, wild varieties absolutely hate lime and need acidic soil to survive. You’re aiming for a pH level between 4.0 and 5.0. To get there, dig a hole that’s wider than it is deep and mix in plenty of acidic organic matter, like peat moss or a specialized berry soil.
Caring for Wild Blueberries at Home
Once you get the soil right, wild blueberries are incredibly low-maintenance. You don’t even need to worry about pruning! These little shrubs stay low to the ground, usually topping out at about 15 inches, which makes them a fantastic, edible groundcover. They aren’t sun-worshippers, either; just like in the forest, they’re perfectly happy in partial to full shade.
The only real “chore” is watering. During dry spells, give them a drink—ideally with rainwater if you can, since tap water can sometimes be too alkaline for them.
One thing to keep in mind: even with perfect care, you probably won’t get the massive harvests you see in the wild. If you’re looking for a huge yield for pies and jams, you might be better off planting cultivated highbush blueberries instead.
So, where do you actually find wild blueberry plants for sale? To be honest, they can be a bit tricky to find at your average garden center. You might have to check a few different nurseries or specialty shops. You might be tempted to just dig one up from the woods, and while that’s technically possible, you should never do it without permission from the local forest service or landowner.
