Blueberry Bush

Question

I have a 4 year old blueberry bush about 1 metre tall, which fruits well (except that I forget to cover it and the birds get the berries before me!). When is it the best time to dig it out and plant it into a container so that I can cover it with a net and enjoy the berries next year? Should I cut it back hard? Thank you.

Answer 1

I would wait until spring to do this, but I will warn you that digging out a 4 year old plant will cause it great stress. You are most certainly guaranteed not to get fruit from it the year you dig it out and, if it does not die from the stress, you may not get fruit from it the following year either. Choose carefully before you do this.

If you decide to go ahead and place it in a pot, yes, pruning it back will be helpful in reducing stress. This article will also help with preventing transplant shock:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/learn-how-to-avoid-and-repair-transplant-shock-in-plants.htm