Blueberry Spacing Guide

Blueberries are one of the best long-term fruit crops for small farms and home gardens. With the right soil, spacing, and variety mix, a row of bushes can produce for many years. At fROOTz, we ship sturdy, two-year-old blueberry plants in 1-gallon pots when your ground is ready so they establish well in our upper Midwest climate.

The Most Important Step: Soil pH

Blueberries are very particular about soil acidity. They will simply not thrive if the pH is too high.

Target pH: About 4.5–5.5 for most northern highbush and half-high varieties.
Test first: Always do a soil test before planting and follow recommendations for sulfur or other amendments to lower pH if needed.
Prepare ahead: Ideally, start adjusting pH the season before planting so the whole root zone is in the right range, not just the planting hole.

Taking time to get the pH right is the single biggest factor in whether blueberries grow, yield, and survive our winters.

What You Receive & Site Basics

Our blueberries are shipped as two-year-old plants in 1-gallon plastic pots, not tiny liners. They already have a well-developed root system and will settle in quickly when planted into properly prepared, acidic soil.

Sun: Full sun (at least 6–8 hours per day) for best yields.
Soil: Well-drained, high in organic matter.
pH: Maintain that 4.5–5.5 range over time with sulfur, acidic organic materials, and pH-friendly fertilizers.
Water: Consistent moisture, especially in the first 2–3 years while roots establish.

When to Expect Blueberry Production

Year 1 in your field/garden: Plants are already two years old. You may see some berries, but it is often best to remove a portion of the flowers so bushes focus on roots and branches.
Year 2 after planting: Expect a light but meaningful harvest if plants are healthy and pH is correct.
Year 3 and beyond: Bushes begin bearing good crops, with yields increasing as they reach full size.

Blueberries are a long-term crop. A well-sited fROOTz planting will reward you with reliable harvests for many seasons.

General Blueberry Spacing Guidelines

Most of what you grow in the upper Midwest will be northern highbush or half-high types. These spacing rules fit those best.

Between plants in the row (hedge): 3–4 feet for a solid hedgerow and easier netting.
Between plants (individual shrubs): 4–5 feet if you want distinct bushes with air space between them.
Row spacing (field): 8–10 feet between rows for equipment and picking access.

For most small farms and gardens, 3–4 feet in the row and 8–10 feet between rows is a very workable standard.

Commercial Field Spacing & Plants per Acre

Commercial northern highbush plantings in our region commonly use the following spacings:

Standard Field Layout

Row spacing: 8–10 ft between rows, depending on mower and sprayer width.
In-row spacing: 3–4 ft between plants for a continuous hedge.

Approximate Plants per Acre

Numbers below are rounded but will help you estimate how many bushes to order.

10 ft row spacing, 4 ft in-row spacing: about 1,090 plants per acre.
10 ft row spacing, 3 ft in-row spacing: about 1,450 plants per acre.
8 ft row spacing, 4 ft in-row spacing: about 1,360 plants per acre.
8 ft row spacing, 3 ft in-row spacing: about 1,815 plants per acre.

Tighter spacing builds a hedge faster and increases early yield per acre, but requires more pruning and careful fertility. Wider spacing gives more air flow and easier access.

Examples for Small Farms & Home Gardens

20′ x 30′ Blueberry Patch

A simple layout for a family or small farm stand could look like this:

Run 2 rows along the 30′ length, spaced about 8–10 ft apart.
Each row is 20 ft long. At 4 ft spacing, plan on 5 plants per row.
Total plants needed: about 10 bushes for a nice family patch.

Raised Bed ~4′ x 12′

Plant a single row down the center of the bed.
Space bushes 3–4 ft apart.
Total plants needed: 3 bushes in a 12′ bed (one at each end and one in the middle) is usually ideal.

Hedge Along a Fence (30–40 ft)

Space bushes 3–4 ft apart for a continuous hedge.
On a 30 ft run at 3 ft spacing, you will plant about 10 bushes.
Total plants needed: 10–12 bushes, depending on length and how tight you want the hedge.

How Many Blueberry Plants Should I Order?

Backyard fresh-eating (family of 4): 6–8 bushes is a good target.
Fresh eating plus some to freeze: 8–12 bushes.
Small farm trial block (about 1/8 acre): roughly 150–225 bushes, depending on spacing.
Full acre planting: about 1,000–1,800 bushes based on row width and in-row spacing.

Additional Tips for Success

Work the whole root zone: Amend a wide strip, not just individual holes, so roots grow into uniformly acidic, organic soil.
Mulch: Maintain a 3–4 inch layer of wood chips or similar mulch over the root zone to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Variety mix: Plant at least two different varieties for better pollination, heavier crops, and a longer harvest window.

Fertilizing Blueberries

Use acid-friendly products: Choose fertilizers labeled for azaleas, rhododendrons, or blueberries. Avoid general lawn fertilizers and anything with lime.
Light, split applications: Apply small amounts in early spring as buds swell and again in late spring; blueberries dislike heavy, one-time doses.
Keep it off the stems: Sprinkle fertilizer in a band around the drip line of the bush and water it in. Do not pile it against the trunk.
Watch growth: Healthy bushes make 6–12 inches of new shoot growth each year. Adjust rates up or down based on how your plants respond.

If you are unsure how many bushes to order for your acreage or garden size, fROOTz is happy to help you design a blueberry planting that fits your space and harvest goals.