Arkansas summers demand heat-tolerant blueberry cultivars that still produce sweet fruit reliably. If you are searching for the best blueberries to grow in arkansas, you need varieties that can handle the state’s humid heat and occasional drought while delivering plump, flavorful berries.
Blueberries thrive in acidic soil with good drainage, and Arkansas offers plenty of spots for them. But not every blueberry bush will survive the summer sun here. You need to pick types bred for the South, like rabbiteye or southern highbush, which laugh at the heat.
This guide walks you through the top choices for your Arkansas garden. We cover soil prep, planting tips, and care so you get a big harvest year after year. Let’s dig in.
Best Blueberries To Grow In Arkansas
Rabbiteye blueberries are the top pick for Arkansas. They handle heat, humidity, and poor soil better than other types. Southern highbush varieties also work well, especially if you want early fruit. Here are the specific cultivars you should consider.
Top Rabbiteye Varieties For Arkansas
Rabbiteye blueberries are native to the southeastern US. They are tough, productive, and need less chilling hours than northern types. This makes them ideal for Arkansas’s mild winters.
- Premier – A reliable early-season berry. It produces large, firm fruit with a sweet taste. Premier needs another rabbiteye nearby for pollination, like Tifblue.
- Tifblue – A mid-season classic. Berries are medium-sized, light blue, and very sweet. Tifblue is one of the most cold-hardy rabbiteyes, good for northern Arkansas.
- Powderblue – Late-season variety that extends your harvest. Fruit is medium to large, with a powdery bloom. It stores well and tastes great fresh or frozen.
- Brightwell – An early-mid season option. Brightwell produces heavy crops of small to medium berries. It is very heat tolerant and disease resistant.
- Climax – One of the earliest rabbiteyes. Berries ripen quickly, giving you a concentrated harvest. Flavor is excellent, though fruit can be a bit soft.
Plant at least two different rabbiteye varieties for cross-pollination. This boosts fruit set and berry size. Space bushes 4 to 6 feet apart in rows 10 feet apart.
Southern Highbush Options
Southern highbush blueberries are hybrids that need fewer chilling hours. They ripen earlier than rabbiteyes, sometimes as early as May. These are great if you want fresh berries before summer heat peaks.
- O’Neal – A very early variety with large, sweet berries. It has a low chill requirement, so it works in southern Arkansas. O’Neal is a top pick for home gardens.
- Jubilee – Mid-season, with firm, tangy fruit. Jubilee is heat tolerant and produces consistently. It is a good choice for central Arkansas.
- Star – Early-season, with excellent flavor. Berries are large and hold up well in storage. Star needs another southern highbush for best yields.
- Misty – A compact bush that grows well in containers. It produces medium-sized, sweet berries early. Misty is less heat tolerant, so provide afternoon shade in hot areas.
Southern highbush varieties are less vigorous than rabbiteyes. They need richer soil and more consistent watering. But the early harvest is worth the extra care.
Hybrid And Specialty Types
Some newer cultivars combine traits from rabbiteye and highbush. These hybrids offer better flavor or disease resistance. They are worth trying if you want something different.
- Legacy – A northern highbush that adapts well to the South. It has excellent flavor and stores well. Legacy needs more chill hours, so it is best for northern Arkansas.
- Pink Lemonade – A rabbiteye hybrid with pink berries. The fruit is sweet and mild, and the bush is ornamental. It is a fun novelty, but yields are lower than standard varieties.
- Bluecrop – A northern highbush that sometimes grows in Arkansas. It is not ideal for hot summers but can work in the Ozarks with extra care.
Stick with rabbiteye or southern highbush for reliable results. Hybrids are for adventurous gardeners who want to experiment.
How To Prepare Your Soil For Blueberries
Blueberries need acidic soil with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5. Arkansas soil is often neutral or alkaline, especially in the Delta region. You must test and amend your soil before planting.
Testing Soil Ph
Get a soil test kit from your local extension office. Collect samples from several spots in your garden. Mix them together and send them in for analysis. The report will tell you your pH and nutrient levels.
If your pH is above 6.0, you need to lower it. Elemental sulfur is the best way to acidify soil. Apply it several months before planting. The amount depends on your soil type and current pH.
- Sandy soil: Use 1 to 2 pounds of sulfur per 100 square feet to lower pH by one point.
- Loamy soil: Use 2 to 3 pounds per 100 square feet.
- Clay soil: Use 3 to 4 pounds per 100 square feet.
Mix the sulfur into the top 6 to 8 inches of soil. Water it in well. Retest after a few months to check progress.
Improving Drainage And Organic Matter
Blueberries hate wet feet. If your soil drains poorly, build raised beds or mounds. Add plenty of organic matter like peat moss, composted pine bark, or leaf mold. This improves drainage and acidity.
Mix 2 to 4 inches of organic matter into the planting area. For heavy clay, consider planting in large containers with acidic potting mix. This gives you full control over soil conditions.
Mulching For Success
Mulch keeps roots cool and moist in Arkansas summers. Use pine bark, pine needles, or wood chips. Apply a 3 to 4 inch layer around each bush, but keep it away from the stem.
Mulch also helps suppress weeds and adds organic matter as it breaks down. Replenish the mulch each year in spring.
Planting Your Blueberry Bushes
Timing matters. Plant blueberries in early spring or fall when temperatures are mild. Avoid planting in the heat of summer or during freezing weather.
Choosing The Right Site
Blueberries need full sun for best fruit production. At least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. In southern Arkansas, a little afternoon shade can help during extreme heat.
Pick a spot with good air circulation to reduce disease. Avoid low areas where frost settles. Blueberries bloom early, so frost can damage flowers.
Spacing And Planting Depth
Space rabbiteye bushes 4 to 6 feet apart in rows 10 to 12 feet apart. Southern highbush can be closer, 3 to 4 feet apart. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep.
Set the bush at the same depth it grew in the container. Backfill with native soil mixed with peat moss. Water thoroughly after planting.
Pollination Partners
Blueberries are self-fertile but produce more with cross-pollination. Plant at least two different varieties that bloom at the same time. For rabbiteyes, pair Premier with Tifblue or Brightwell with Powderblue.
For southern highbush, pair O’Neal with Star or Jubilee with Misty. Check bloom times to ensure overlap. Your local extension office can help with recommendations.
Caring For Your Blueberry Plants
Blueberries need consistent care, especially in the first few years. Water, fertilize, and prune correctly to keep them healthy.
Watering Needs
Blueberries have shallow roots that dry out fast. Water deeply once or twice a week during dry spells. Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to keep foliage dry and prevent disease.
In Arkansas summers, you may need to water more often. Check soil moisture by feeling 2 inches down. If it is dry, water.
Fertilizing Right
Use a fertilizer made for acid-loving plants, like azalea or camellia food. Apply in early spring before new growth starts. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers that can burn roots.
For young bushes, use a small amount. Increase as the plant grows. Do not fertilize after July, as this can encourage late growth that gets damaged by frost.
Pruning For Productivity
Prune blueberries in late winter while they are dormant. Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches. Thin out old canes to encourage new growth.
For rabbiteye, remove about one-third of the oldest canes each year. This keeps the bush productive and easy to pick. Southern highbush need lighter pruning, just removing weak or low branches.
Common Pests And Diseases In Arkansas
Blueberries face a few problems in Arkansas. Most are manageable with good care and early action.
Insect Pests
Blueberry maggot is the main pest. It lays eggs in ripening fruit. Use sticky traps to monitor. Apply spinosad or neem oil if needed. Pick fruit promptly to reduce attraction.
Spotted wing drosophila is another small fly that attacks soft fruit. Keep bushes clean and remove fallen berries. Insecticides can help if applied early.
Japanese beetles sometimes feed on leaves. Hand pick them or use traps away from the garden. They rarely cause serious damage to established bushes.
Diseases
Mummy berry is a fungal disease that shrivels fruit. Remove infected berries and clean up fallen debris. Fungicides in early spring can prevent it.
Powdery mildew shows as white coating on leaves. Ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering. Resistant varieties like Tifblue are less prone.
Root rot happens in wet soil. Improve drainage and avoid overwatering. If you have heavy clay, grow in raised beds.
Harvesting And Storing Your Blueberries
Blueberries ripen over several weeks. Pick them when they are fully blue and come off easily. Taste one to check sweetness.
Harvest in the morning after dew dries. Use shallow containers to avoid crushing. Refrigerate immediately for best shelf life.
Blueberries freeze well. Spread them on a tray and freeze until solid, then transfer to bags. They keep for up to a year in the freezer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best blueberry variety for Arkansas?
Rabbiteye varieties like Premier and Tifblue are the best blueberries to grow in arkansas. They handle heat and humidity well and produce reliable crops.
Can I grow blueberries in containers in Arkansas?
Yes. Use large pots with acidic potting mix. Southern highbush like Misty work well. Keep them watered and provide afternoon shade in hot areas.
How many blueberry bushes should I plant?
Plant at least two different varieties for cross-pollination. For a family, 4 to 6 bushes provide plenty of fresh berries and some for freezing.
When do blueberries ripen in Arkansas?
Rabbiteye varieties ripen from June to August. Southern highbush ripen earlier, from May to June. Exact timing depends on location and weather.
Do blueberries need a lot of water?
Yes, especially during fruit development. Water deeply once or twice a week. Use mulch to retain moisture and keep roots cool.
Final Tips For Success
Start with healthy plants from a reputable nursery. Check for disease and pests before buying. Plant in well-prepared soil and give them space to grow.
Be patient. Blueberries take 2 to 3 years to produce a full crop. But once established, they can bear fruit for 20 years or more with proper care.
Join a local gardening group or contact your county extension office for advice. They know what works in your specific area of Arkansas.
With the right varieties and a little effort, you can enjoy homegrown blueberries every summer. The sweet taste of fresh berries is worth the work.
Now you know the best blueberries to grow in arkansas. Pick your favorites, prepare the soil, and get planting. Your garden will thank you.