Q: How and when do I prune my blueberry bushes? I am new to growing blueberries. I planted them last spring and have been told I need to prune them this spring.
A: During the winter, the old canes and tall shoots should be cut back to force branching at the lower levels. Take out the older canes at the center and all dead and diseased limbs and material. Flowers are born on 1-year-old wood, so pruning is essential to promote new growth each year. Late winter is the best time to prune blueberry bushes in our area. We have a leaflet that explains pruning blueberries: "Principles of Pruning the Highbush Blueberry" is available at www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-201-b.html.
Q: I live along a creek that has quite a bit of erosion. A friend of mine mentioned I should plant livestakes. What are livestakes and where can I get some?
A: Livestakes are cuttings from native hardwood trees and shrubs naturally found along stream banks, said Wendi Hartup, a natural resources extension agent. Common species that can be used are silky willow, silky dogwood, ninebark and elderberry. Typically, these cuttings are 2 feet long and thumb-width in diameter. You can cut your own livestakes or order them from specialized nurseries across the state. Using a mallet, you pound these livestakes perpendicular into a stream bank at least 6 inches from the water's surface from November to March. During the first year, energy is spent on root growth so you won't see any height until year two. The purpose of using a livestake is to provide bank stabilization and habitat (root density and soil surface protection).
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