University of Maryland recommends containers that are 24 inches deep for blueberries. That sounds excessive considering their shallow roots. While researching the root depth I found this detailed description of root development at Oregon State University. Root depth is variable based on soil type and watering as quoted here:
“In sandy soils, roots will grow deeper than in clay or silt loam soils. In Florida, where a pine bark system is often used, blueberry roots will only grow in the upper pine bark layer, which has the preferred lower soil pH and a higher organic matter than the sandy soil below.”
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My experience is blueberry roots grow to the bottom of the pot unless the bottom is too wet. That’s in pots up to 18 inches deep, mostly about 15 inches. I think they’d grow to the bottom of a 24 inch deep pot if the mix is good. If the mix breaks down and becomes anaerobic the roots in the bottom die.
15-24 inches would be a good depth. 24 is a pretty deep pot. 24x24 is what about 30 gallons maybe more. I’d not go shallower than 12 inches. To me that’s too shallow.
They form a solid rootball in good media all the way to the bottom.
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It IS excessive, big time!
Blueberries are shallow rooters, most of the roots are in the top 8" of your mix. Per Keith at Backyard Berry Plants (wheere I get all of my blueberry bushes), I have almost all 40 of mine in the ground in 3’ x 3’ x 12" deep holes.
He has excellent descriptions and planting guides here:
And a care guide here:
You can email him on the site & he will respond about your container questions.
I always hear that blueberries have shallow roots, but last year I pulled out 2 five year old bushes and I was surprised to find deep thick roots. My point is that the shallow roots thing is maybe more a tendency than a rule.
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I have had challenges growing blueberries- I have tried growing them in peat moss bags dug into the ground (suggested by CSU Extension) as we have alkaline soils here on Front Range of Colorado. I am considering moving to containers for some of my plants. Thanks for posting the planting guide.
One issue I’ve had is winter damage, so I think that containers, if not too heavy, could be moved into my shed in winter.
My bushes (several varieties of northern high bush) are alive, but not thriving. I love blueberries, so don’t want to quit, but it’s been discouraging.
I’d appreciate any more container tips, shared experiences, fertilizer approaches, etc. Zone 5b, 5000’ altitude.
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Same here I pulled one from the ground and had pencil thick roots probably 2.5 to 3ft deep.
resurrecting an year old thread offering no valid inputs besides pitching for backyard berry store (a few times if I remember). you definitely didn’t read the whole thread above, did you?
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I messaged you, we can continue there in privacy.
There was a guy on the old Garden Web forum,who lived in SE Washington,in the Tri-Cities area,probably zone 6 anyway.
He grew Blueberries in half whiskey barrels and they froze solid every Winter and thawed in the Spring,like nothing happened.
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I can’t offer advice for your winter conditions since I am in 8B Oregon with milder winter compared to yours. From Brady’s reply above it looks the bush will survive when planted in a wine barrel in close to your conditions out in eastern WA.
Last year I got a couple of old Northern high bushes from a local farmer. These bushes were probably 10 or 12 yr old, they had okay rootball that was sitting in the field for a week before I could pick them up, then they sat out for another week before I planted them.
I planted one bush in a half wine barrel and the other in a raised bed. For media I used 60% fir bark mulch also called as pathway bark, and 40% peatmoss. I added 10-15% pumice to the wine barrel reducing the amount of peat. I also added between 1 to 3 lbs of down to earth acid mix while mixing the soil. After planting mulched with 2-3" of fir sawdust. After they both leafed out, late spring about this time I fed them with 1 tsp/gal ammonium sulfate (1 gallon for wine barrel and 3 gallons for raised bed).
These bushes established well, bloomed and fruited nicely. Mid summer, I removed some of the old canes and they sent out new canes within couple of weeks. I think blueberries and raspberries are easy fruits to grow with high rewards. Hope this helps.
Look at this post for pictures from last year after planting the bush.
Bush this year
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Thanks for the suggestions.
A successful Front Range blueberry grower uses square storage bins he buys at Walmart and drills holes in bottom. They have handles that help with moving them around and come in various sizes. He uses peat moss as a growing medium and has had productive plants for 15+ years. He uses pretty large bins (which are going to be heavy for my old back).
I may try several methods (half barrel for permanent, and smaller pots/bins for ones to move) and will post what I learn.
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I ended up using a few plastic 20 gallon containers from Home Depot. 25” X17” and 16” deep. Drilled a few holes in the bottom. Filled with 2/3 peat moss and 1/3 Permagreen small bark nuggets- these are a mix of pine and fir. (We seem to have more limited nugget options here in Colorado)
When full, these are pretty easy to lift and move around.
Now I’m hoping they put on some growth before it gets cold.
Thanks again for the helpful suggestions.
Paul
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