If your Blueberry bushes are not growing well, have grown too large or you found some in the wild you will need to transplant them to a new location. Digging up your blueberry plants and replant them is easy but you need to know what you are doing or you can damage the roots and kill the plant. Follow our 7 step blueberry transplanting guide to successfully move your plants and keep growing delicious berries.
When to Transplant Blueberry Bushes
The best time of year to transplant blueberries is in the fall or spring when the plant is dormant. Do not try and replant when it is freezing or during the heat of summer or the plants may go into shock.
Necessary Gear
- Peat moss
- Sand
- Sawdust
- A small hand shovel
- A watering can
- A new garden location
7 Step Transplanting Guide
Our garden experts put together an 7 step guide with a few tips and tricks to make transplanting blueberries a success. Our guide will help you pick the right time of year, remove the plants then replant them without hurting the plant.
Step 1: Find a New Garden
Start by finding a new place to move your blueberry bushes. Blueberry bushes grow best in full sun with acidic soil. If you can’t find a place with full sun aim for at least 12 hours per day. Make sure the garden gets regular water each week for best growth and good tasting berries. Keep in mind blueberries will get wider as they grow so don’t plant them too close to a fence.
Step 2: Dig a 12" Perimeter
When you are ready to start transplanting blueberries dig a 12″ perimeter in the soil around each bush. The perimeter should be deep enough to scoop under the plant and remove the roots from the soil. If the bush is large and has had a few years to grow you might need to dig a wider perimeter and deeper hole to get all the roots.
Step 4: Remove Each Bush
Remove each blueberry bush from the ground by using your shovel to scoop under the root ball. Use the perimeter you dug in step 2 slide the shovel in so you cause as little damage as possible to the root system.
Step 3: Dig a 12" Hole for Each Plant
Next, dig a 12″ deep hole in your new garden for each bush you are replanting. The hole should be about 6″ wider than the root ball so make sure to dig wide enough. When you are done digging water the bottom of the hole to keep the soil fresh and prepare it for planting.
Step 5: Replant in New Garden
Replant each blueberry by placing it into the new holes in your garden. Make sure the plant is level so it will go straight then fill in the rest of the hole with dirt. If the bush is large you might need to set up some support so it does not fall over for the first few weeks in its new home.
Step 6: Cover with Mulch
Cover the newly planted bushes with a layer of fresh dirt and mulch. Blueberries grow best in slightly acidic soil and thin layer of mulch will keep erosion from exposing the roots – don’t forget to add fertilizer!
Step 7: Water Once A Week
Blueberries grow best with a steady supply of water. Make sure to water at least once per week if it does not rain. If the plant gets too dry it may die or suffer from transplanting shock.
Transplanting Wild Blue Berry Bushes
Transplanting wild blueberry bushes is a little different than moving them from a garden. First, you want to make sure to dig up as much of the root ball as possible – and only the roots of the bush you are trying to move. A blueberry growing in the wild is resilient once it grows for a season but still needs things like potting mix, organic soil and mulch for the best growth – just keep an eye out for acidic soil!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to transplant blueberry bushes?
We recommend transplanting blueberry bushes in the fall before it gets too cold.
How do you transplant highbush blueberries?
Highbush blueberries can be transplanted the same way as other blueberries just make sure to dig out all the roots.
When can you transplant blueberries?
Blueberries can be transplanted any time of year but will take to the new garden best when moved in the dormant season.