A selection of essential gardening tools

Nurturing your new blueberry plants means having the right tools to do the job! These are some basic tools to consider. If you don’t already have some of these items, please check our Resources section at the end of this Collection for recommended suppliers for getting the right tools and equipment. Many of these items can be helpful to you for all of your gardening needs—not just for blueberries.

Containers and Pots

If you’re going to grow your blueberries in pots, be sure to get pots that are substantially bigger than the young plants you’ll start out with. Blueberries grow both up and out, so plan ahead so they have plenty of room in which to grow.

Do your back a favor and invest in planter stands with casters; that way you can roll your plants to where you’d like them. And come harvest time, it will be easier for you to just turn the plants around as you harvest those delicious berries!

Drip Irrigation Equipment

Blueberries need about 1 1/2 inches of water a week. Depending on how many plants you have, and where they are, you might want to consider an irrigation system for keeping your plants slowly and deeply watered.

A standard sprinkler system is not the best solution, but it’s better than stressing out your plants with too little water.

A drip irrigation system is more expensive than a standard sprinkler system, but it’s more efficient—getting the water right where it needs to be. Agricultural research has found that blueberries thrive best with this type of irrigation system. If cost is an issue, just be certain you have a system in place to make sure your plants get the water they need.

Hand Rake

If you’re growing lowbush blueberries then you’ll want to invest in a special hand rake to help you do the job. This rake looks like a cross between a comb and a dustpan.

Do you have any essential gardening tools you use that aren’t listed here? Tell us which items you absolutely need for your blueberry gardening.