When and How to Prune Blueberries Step-by-Step

Blueberries have become incredibly popular! Thanks to newly developed hybrids and cultivars, gardeners in regions of the U.S. that previously couldn’t grow blueberry bushes now have varieties that can withstand milder winters—or even no winter at all.

However, to encourage your blueberry bushes to produce an abundance of fruit, it is essential to prune them every year.

Blueberries fruit on one-year-old wood. Unlike raspberries or blackberries, a single cane will produce for several years, with the largest harvests typically occurring between the third and fifth years. Because of this, pruning blueberry bushes requires a different approach than other berries.

As blueberry bushes age, they need annual pruning. This is typically done in January, February, or March, once the worst of winter has passed and flower buds begin to appear. The best time to prune is on a mild late winter or early spring day when there is no chance of rain or heavy fog.

Blueberry Types

With blueberries growing across the United States, several main types of blueberry bushes are available. Highbush varieties are the most well-known and widely planted. Originating in the northeastern U.S., they are likely the parent plants of the blueberries found in grocery stores. Lowbush varieties are more commonly found growing wild in New England and Canada and are less frequently cultivated in home gardens. Rabbiteye blueberries are better suited for the southern U.S. or regions with milder winters.

Regardless of the type, blueberry bushes are pruned in much the same way.

A newly planted blueberry bush is the one exception to standard pruning rules. During their first two years, home growers should prevent the plant from producing fruit, allowing it to focus its energy on root and cane development. Blueberries typically begin fruit production around year three, with peak productivity occurring between years eight and ten.

Why Prune Blueberries?

Pruning blueberries may seem tedious, but it makes a significant difference in fruit quality. Mature bushes especially benefit, as older canes can drain the plant’s energy without producing much fruit. A mature bush typically has 15 to 25 canes of varying ages, ranging from one to six years. With proper pruning, you can maintain a balanced number of productive canes while removing those that have outlived their usefulness.

By removing older wood (over six years) and excessive twiggy annual growth, pruning improves fruit quality and size. It also increases airflow to the center of the plant, reducing the risk of pests and diseases.

For those growing highbush varieties in areas with harsh winters, inspecting bushes for winter injury is essential. These injuries can create openings for disease in early spring as the plant begins its seasonal growth.

With proper pruning, you can guide your blueberry bush toward a season of high-quality fruit!

When to Prune Blueberries

Blueberry pruning begins at the end of winter and the start of spring. Once the bush has been bare for several months and has weathered the worst of winter, it is the best time to start pruning. Since fresh cuts on blueberry bushes cannot tolerate extreme frost, make sure the risk of winter storms has completely passed before pruning.

This period is ideal for pruning because the canes are easily distinguishable from one another. The supple, often red skin of younger canes, aged one to two years, stands out against the greying bark of older canes. Healthy young canes with early flower buds appear on one-year-old growth, indicating where berries will develop the following year.

While it may be difficult for gardeners to prune canes with flower buds, it is necessary. Between 30 and 50 percent of the fruiting wood should be removed when pruning blueberries. However, be careful not to cut all of the fruiting wood. Avoid trimming the tip off every branch, as this is where your berries will grow. 

Pruning Blueberries Step-By-Step

Before making your first snip, there are a few key rules to keep in mind when pruning blueberries. The act of pruning can introduce disease, either by spreading pathogens from dirty shears or by making rough, uneven cuts. To protect your plants, sanitize your shears with rubbing alcohol before starting. Also, use sharp shears to ensure clean cuts that do not tear the cane.

The best time to prune is on a dry day. This allows the blueberry plant to begin healing before being exposed to rainfall, which can introduce diseases through soil splatter.

Identifying Fruit Buds and Vegetative Buds

Without leaves, blueberry bushes can sometimes look like a tangle of twigs stuck in the ground at random. But take a few minutes to examine them closely! Look at the small branches and identify two different types of buds beginning to form. You should see larger, teardrop-shaped buds and much smaller, triangular buds that appear almost thorny.

The teardrop buds will develop into flowers, which, after pollination, will produce delicious blueberries. The triangular buds will become leaves and, in later years, lateral fruiting wood.

When deciding whether to keep a branch, consider the number of teardrop buds it holds. The oldest canes will have only a few, signaling that it is time to remove them. Canes that are three to five years old typically have the most buds and the highest fruit production, so be sure to leave those in place.

The First Cut

Regardless of the type of blueberry bush you are growing, there are a few basic pruning guidelines that all gardeners should follow. Each year, start by removing deadwood, wood over six years old, crossed branches, and diseased wood. These are easiest to identify as dark brown or black branches with no signs of new growth.

Old wood is often gray, woody, and stiff when bent. It may even have moss growing on it. Removing these older canes helps direct the plant’s energy toward younger, more productive growth.

When pruning deadwood, make cuts at an angle flush with the branch or flat at ground level. Pruning cuts should be made at a 45-degree angle.

New vs. 6-Year-Old Growth

Blueberry canes produce fruit on the same canes each year. While berries only develop on new wood, a single cane will continue putting out new growth for many years. Each cane reaches peak production between years three and five, while the overall blueberry bush reaches peak productivity between years eight and ten.

Mature bushes should have between 15 and 25 canes at any given time, with only three to five new canes per year. To maintain this balance, prune any excess new canes so that only three to five remain each year.

Pruning for Shape and Airflow

Lastly, prune the center of a mature blueberry plant to improve airflow. Without sufficient airflow, pests can easily infest the bushes, reducing the chances of a healthy plant.

Additionally, remove small canes that grow close to the ground, are less than one to two feet tall, or extend into an aisle or walkway. These branches are more likely to bend under the weight of fruit or touch the ground, increasing the risk of disease.

Prune out weak shoots, even if they have fruit buds. Remove old side growth in the form of twigs, aiming for a structure where blueberry fruits do not touch fruit from other branches.

Care of First-Year Plants

First- and second-year blueberry bushes require much lighter pruning than older plants. It is important to prevent young plants from setting fruit during their early years. Strip off flower buds before they bloom and set fruit, ensuring the plant directs its energy toward developing strong roots and canes. Do this early in the season to avoid diverting resources away from growth.

Prune the canes to about half their height and remove any twiggy growth. This encourages a bushier, more manageable shape. If the bush thrives in its first year, you can allow fruit production in the second year.

Remember to fertilize and mulch to give your young blueberry bush a strong start!

Post-Pruning Maintenance

After pruning, apply fertilizer around your plants. They have just had a good trim and will need nutrients to kick-start the growing season. While fertilizing on the same day as pruning is not necessary, be sure to do it before the first leaves of spring appear.

Since blueberries thrive in acidic soil, use an acid-specific fertilizer. Follow the instructions for your chosen fertilizer carefully, as blueberry roots are sensitive to over-fertilization. Fertilizers are high in salts, and excessive application can cause salt burn to the roots.

Lastly, apply a fresh layer of mulch around the base of the plant. Aim for one to two inches of mulch, but avoid piling it too high, as blueberry plants have shallow roots that cannot tolerate being buried too deeply. If a mulch layer is already present, push it back before fertilizing, then replace it afterward.

Frequently Asked Questions