I've never lived in or grown blueberries in Wisconsin, but from what I know, I'd probably go with one of the half-highs, just to make sure that winter hardiness isn't going to be a concern.

I am in northern Illinois, about an hour from the WI border, and I know our ag extension highly recommends'Patriot' for this area. I think 'Northland' and 'Dwarf Northblue' run close seconds.

Later this season test your soil around the bleberries and make sure your pH levels are low enough. And avoid fertilizers high in phosphorous, as they throw off the absorbtion of iron and you get the same result as if your pH was too high. Prep is important, as it seems you already know!

My knowledge is book-learnin'....I planted my first Tophats last year, and a 'Patriot' this year. I am also putting in a 'Northland,' but it and 'Patriot' are going into big pots. We'll see if I learnt that stuff well!

I live in Wisconsin on the border of zone 3/4. I'm growing the following varieties of blueberries and they seem to be doing well.

Northern Highbush Patriot
Zone 3-7
Produces early in the season
Berries are large & tangy
2-5 ft high; Open Spreading

Patriot is a cold-hardy variety that bears consistent crops. It is adaptable to many soil types and may perform better in wetter soils than many other varieties. Patriot makes an excellent landscape variety with its showy white blooms in the spring, dark green summer foliage, and fiery orange-red fall.

Northern Highbush Northland
Zone 3-7
Produces early to mid season
Berries are medium sized & sweet
4-7 ft high; Upright Spreading

Northland is the most cold-hardy Highbush variety. It is easy to grow and adaptable to many different soil types. This very productive variety often yields over 20 pounds per bush when mature. The berries are excellent for jams and baking because of their high sugar content. The bright yellow wood and compact shape makes Northland a good candidate for landscaping.

Northern Highbush Nelson
Zone 3-7
Produces mid to late season
Berries are large & sweet
5-7 ft high; Slightly Spreading

It was selected from crosses of Bluecrop and Berkeley and seems to have inherited BluecropÂs flavor and BerkeleyÂs giant size. Quality of the fruit is very good.

Thanks everyone. It sounds like Patriot is the winner. I might see if I have room for Northland too. Hopefully it will stop raining sometime and I'll actually be able to plant it!

I'm growing Bluecrop. Also have Jersey, Chandler and something else? on order.

Be sure to plant at least two different varieties for best pollination.

Having read about blueberries in containers in some catalog last year (Jung's, I think), I'm going to be trying some varieties in pots. Found one for two bucks at Menards this week. What the heck -- I'll take a chance. Will also get some from Jung's.

Every time blueberries come up on Garden Talk (WPR) there is much hand-wringing over how hard it is to grow them in the ground here. I'm in horrible compacted clay (could make pots out of it and then plant the blueberries!) of the worst Madison variety, so I'm going try containers.

It's snowing ... :-( Community garden opening day is next Saturday.

Athenainwi & woost2,

I'm in Madison and about to plant blueberries as well, leaning toward Northland and Patriot, but still open to suggestion. Just wondering how things went, or if you had any additional advice?

Madison city water has significant dissolved limestone, that is, we have hard water. This water will disrupt the pH of your blueberry bed, if you find it necessary to irrigate with tap water. I have had success adding 6 fluid ounces of white vinegar to four gallons of tap water, to lower the pH. The white vinegar is standard food grade commercial from the grocery store, labeled as 5% concentration. I have learned the hard way not to use tap water on blueberries, it will raise the pH and yellow the leaves. The vinegar seems to correct the problem, so far.

Eric-

Use rainwater if you have the ability. I've never had the yellow leaf problem after 3 years. We have hard water over here (I'm on a well).

I just bought a "Northland" and potted it in a big pot (100% peat moss)... I pre soak the peat in a big bucket to moisten it up.

It sounds like the only nutrient you have to worry about is N, from what i've read.

My in the ground "Chandler" has all kinds of flowers this year (it was the first to flower), so i guess it can handle a Wisconsin.

How big a pot do you need for a blueberry (say Patriot or Northland) and what do you do with them in the winter? Do you just leave them outside?