Hello Gardeners, I’m Amanda McNulty with Clemson Extension and Making It Grow. Although fall is the best time to plant trees and shrubs in South Carolina, some of the specialty fruit crops are only available for shipping in the spring. If you don’t have a backyard blueberry patch, plant one now and know that both you and your yet unborn grandchildren can enjoy it – blueberries are that long-lived.
But do a little homework. Don’t be swayed by catalogue claims of fancy highbush types – for almost all of South Carolina rabbiteye cultivars grow best. Blueberries will give you far more fruit if you plant at least two varieties that mature at the same time -- be it early, mid-season, or late. We have a dandy fact sheet at Clemson’s Home & Garden Information Center on blueberries – just search Clemson hgic blueberries to find it. Blueberries really like a specific pH so take a soil test, too.