Blueberry plants over winter?

Hi,I took on a new full plot in mid August so I now have space for fruit .My better half spends an absolute fortune on Blueberries so I decided to establish a bed as a little project.My starting ph is 6.5-7.0 and I`ve gradually been adding sulphur chips to fetch my neutral soil down, the bushes themselves will also be planted in a pocket of ericaceous compost which I intend to do in early spring.I have seven plants,2-3 years old,currently sitting in 2-3L pots, should I keep these in my greenhouse over winter or would it be better to heel the bushes in pot and all into the bed direct,then lift and plant in spring when the area is ready for them.Normally I wouldnt faff about with plants so much, but with each plant costing around a tenner ,I`d like to give these the best start possible.TTFN.

Blueberry plants are perfectly hardy. They come from north america where the winter temperature regularly gets to -30C so need no greenhouse winter protection whatsoever. Cold exposure can actually lead to better fruiting.

My blueberry plants are also in the ground and like you given an annual sulphur dressing. It is becoming more accepted, and some fruit nurseries are arguing this, that blueberries will tolerate more than the ideal 4.5-5.5ph soil. As long as they are on the acid side of neutral, say 6.5ph.

I have certainly found this to be the case.

Blueberry plants are perfectly hardy. They come from north america where the winter temperature regularly gets to -30C so need no greenhouse winter protection whatsoever. Cold exposure can actually lead to better fruiting.

My blueberry plants are also in the ground and like you given an annual sulphur dressing. It is becoming more accepted, and some fruit nurseries are arguing this, that blueberries will tolerate more than the ideal 4.5-5.5ph soil. As long as they are on the acid side of neutral, say 6.5ph.

I have certainly found this to be the case.

Whilst I recognise the Hardiness of the Blueberry plant once established,I think to leave plants out over winter whilst still in 2L pots might just be pushing it a little to far.Its good to hear that an annual sulphur dressing works,do you monitor ph levels over the season? or apply once and leave them to get on with it?

I don't monitor the ph simply sulphur dress around the plants in early spring letting the rain and general cultivation, weeding etc. work it in. The plants tell me if they are happy or not. so far no leaf chlorosis, annual shoot growth i.e they are growing and fruit production.

I now have ten plants spread over two plots, four inherited from previous plot hoders, two Bluecrop of mine planted from containers, one Chandler planted bare root last year and three new ones planted this autumn/winter.

At least I won't have any pollination issues.

I don't monitor the ph simply sulphur dress around the plants in early spring letting the rain and general cultivation, weeding etc. work it in. The plants tell me if they are happy or not. so far no leaf chlorosis, annual shoot growth i.e they are growing and fruit production.

I now have ten plants spread over two plots, four inherited from previous plot hoders, two Bluecrop of mine planted from containers, one Chandler planted bare root last year and three new ones planted this autumn/winter.

At least I won't have any pollination issues.

I have 7 waiting to go into a 13x6 bed,a Bluecop,Berkely,Chandler,Draper,EarliBlue,Goldtraube and Ozark blue.