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Blueberry plants budding in the package?

I generally start everything from seed and only use heirloom or OP seed, however, last week my 8 yr old convinced me to buy some blueberry plants from the local home improvement/garden center. The plants are still in the boxes and have started to bud. It's still about a week and a half-two weeks from "last frost". Should I go ahead and plant these and just cover them overnight or should I still wait until after last frost?

Public Comments

1. It's good to see someone care so much. Since they are budding already I'd say to go ahead and plant them if you can, in a sheltered sunny location which might not be the place you want them eventually. I'd suggest watering them in well and mulching up around them so that they are protected from the inevitable last spell or two of bad weather we have.
2. I would go ahead and plant them. If your really worried about frost at night keep an eye on the weather and cover them if it's expected to get close. If by chance the plants do get nipped they should still come out of it even thought they are so small.
3. If they are growing in the box, I would get them planted ASAP. They are going to be tender since they are growing when they normally wouldn't be in your area, so if you are expecting cold weather, just cover them with a sheet...not plastic. I would not mulch too heavily just yet as that will just hold the cold in the ground...wait til the soil warms up and then mulch well. Blueberries like acidic soil, so adding some peat moss to your planting hole will be good as well as watering with Miracid fertilizer. Be patient, blueberries are rather slow growers and you need a lot of them to get many berries. Good luck!