How to prune rabbiteye blueberry

Late winter to early spring, while fully dormant. Remove 1–2 of the oldest, thickest canes at ground level each year to encourage young basal shoots. Thin crowded branch tips and remove dead or damaged wood. Target an open, multi-stemmed framework with a mix of 1- to 4-year-old canes.

Annually in late winter. Rabbiteye blueberry needs annual dormant pruning to remove old unproductive canes and keep the bush open to light. Established bushes fruit best on young 2–4-year-old canes; prune out oldest (dark, thick) canes at the base to stimulate vigorous replacements. Neglected bushes decline quickly without regular renewal.

Remove 1–2 of the oldest, thickest canes at ground level each year to encourage young basal shoots. Thin crowded branch tips and remove dead or damaged wood. Target an open, multi-stemmed framework with a mix of 1- to 4-year-old canes.