Knowledgebase

Container blueberries #923244

Asked January 01, 2026, 12:36 PM EST

I ordered container blueberries and an acid fertilizer. How do I care f;or them till spring? Also do I need different varies for pollination?

Polk County Iowa

Expert Response

Most nurseries will not ship bare-root or containerized plant material until early to mid-spring (typically early April in most of the state), even when orders are placed in the middle of winter.  Once the plants arrive, use the following information to grow them in containers: https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/growing-blueberries-containers/.  

If you already have the plant material on hand, you will need to store it until spring.  If dormant, follow these recommendations: https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/overwintering-unplanted-trees-shrubs-and-perennials

If the plants have already begun to leaf out, keeping them healthy until spring will be more difficult, but possible.  Grow them indoors in a cool (40-60°F) location with bright light.  Supplemental light may be needed.  More information about that can be found here: https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/growing-indoor-plants-under-supplemental-lights

Two or more different cultivars are needed to get fruit set. Recommended cultivars can be found in this publication: https://shop.iastate.edu/extension/home-garden/lawn-and-garden/fruit-crops/rg503.html. Utilize small-statured cultivars in container plantings.

--Aaron
Aaron Steil Replied January 05, 2026, 1:51 PM EST

Loading ...