How To Store Blueberry Plant For Winter

You can store your blueberry plant for winter by giving it the right protection before the cold sets in.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to store blueberry plants for winter, the answer depends on whether yours grows in a pot or in the ground.
 
Either way, storing a blueberry plant over winter is totally doable when you know what the plant needs to survive the cold.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to store a blueberry plant for winter, covering both potted bushes and garden beds.
 
Let’s get your blueberry plant ready for the cold months ahead.
 

How to Store Blueberry Plants for Winter

Storing blueberry plants for winter comes down to protecting the roots, the crowns, and the canes from freezing temperatures and drying winds.
 
Here’s how to store blueberry plants for winter the right way.
 

1. Know Your Blueberry Plant’s Cold Tolerance

Before you store a blueberry plant for winter, figure out how hardy your variety actually is.
 
Most highbush blueberries handle temperatures down to around -20°F once established.
 
Rabbit eye varieties are even tougher, while southern highbush types are far more tender.
 
Knowing this helps you decide how much winter protection your blueberry plant really needs.
 

2. Stop Fertilizing in Late Summer

If you keep feeding your blueberry plant into fall, it’ll push out tender new growth that winter will kill.
 
So stop fertilizing by mid-summer so the plant can harden off before you store it for winter.
 
This one step makes storing blueberry plants for winter much easier.
 

3. Water Deeply Before the Ground Freezes

A blueberry plant that goes into winter dry is far more likely to suffer damage.
 
Give your plant a deep soak in late fall before the soil freezes so the roots stay hydrated.
 
Once the ground is frozen, though, hold off on watering.
 

Storing a Potted Blueberry Plant for Winter

Storing a blueberry plant in a pot for winter takes a bit more care because container roots freeze faster than garden roots.
 
Here’s how to store your potted blueberry plant for winter safely.
 

1. Move the Pot to a Sheltered Spot

The easiest way to store a potted blueberry plant for winter is to move it against a wall or into an unheated garage.
 
The goal is to keep the roots from freezing solid while still giving the plant the chill hours it needs.
 
An unheated garage, shed, or cold frame works great for storing blueberry plants over winter.
 

2. Insulate the Pot

If your pot has to stay outside, wrap it in burlap, bubble wrap, or straw to insulate the roots.
 
You can also bury the pot rim-deep in the ground or pile mulch around it.
 
This keeps the root ball from freezing and thawing repeatedly, which is what really damages a blueberry plant in winter.
 

3. Keep the Soil Slightly Moist

Check on your stored blueberry plant every few weeks and water lightly if the soil feels dry.
 
Don’t soak it, though, because soggy soil in cold weather invites root rot.
 

Storing Blueberry Plants in the Ground for Winter

If your blueberry plant grows in a garden bed, storing it for winter is mostly about mulching and shielding it from wind.
 
Here’s how to store an in-ground blueberry plant for winter.
 

1. Apply a Thick Layer of Mulch

Pile 4 to 6 inches of pine bark, straw, or shredded leaves around the base of the plant.
 
This is the simplest way to store a blueberry plant for winter because it insulates the shallow roots blueberries rely on.
 
Just keep the mulch a few inches away from the crown so it doesn’t smother the plant.
 

2. Build a Wind Barrier

Cold winter winds dry out blueberry canes faster than freezing temps alone.
 
Wrap burlap around a few stakes to create a windbreak on the exposed side of your plant.
 
This small step goes a long way when storing blueberry plants for winter in windy areas.
 

3. Prune in Late Winter, Not Fall

Hold off on heavy pruning until late winter while the plant is still dormant.
 
Pruning in fall can stimulate growth right before you store the blueberry plant for winter, which leaves it vulnerable.
 
Wait until the worst cold has passed and then clean up any dead or crossing canes.
 

So, How Do You Store a Blueberry Plant for Winter?

You store a blueberry plant for winter by protecting its roots, keeping it hydrated, and shielding it from drying winds.
 
Whether you’re storing a potted blueberry plant in a garage or mulching an in-ground bush, the goal is the same.
 
Follow these steps and your blueberry plant will come through winter ready to leaf out and fruit again next season.