Blueberry Pruning Workshop

On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, Cooperative Extension will offer a free Blueberry Pruning & Winter Management class at Earthworks Farm.

Due to snow, this workshop has been delayed until Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Cooperative Extension will offer a free Blueberry Pruning & Winter Management class at Earthworks Farm in Vilas, NC (Watauga County). The workshop will be held from 2-5 PM, and will be taught by Extension Specialist for Small Fruit Production Dr. Bill Cline and Area Specialized Agent Richard Boylan.

Earthworks Farm, owned by Ed Winebarger, is located at 5415 U.S. Hwy 421 N. in Vilas, NC (28692). Ed continues the work of several generations of ancestors building and sustainably managing this land, presently using organic and Permaculture principles. He operates the blueberry patch as a Pick Your Own operation, and also grows other species of fruit, vegetables, herbs, and other farm specialty products for his Earthworks Catering business, along with other local markets.

Highbush blueberries are well-adapted to the local NC High Country climate and soils, but will only produce at their full potential when annually pruned, mulched, and fertilized according to their needs. Winter time is the ideal window for caring for blueberries. In this workshop, Dr. Cline and Agent Boylan will go over the best available options for fertilizers (conventional and organic), mulches, and pruning tools and techniques. They will also cover controlling diseases such as mummyberry that can be prevented with proper winter blueberry maintenance and be available to answer any other blueberry management questions.

The workshop is free and open to all members of the public who have an interest in managing blueberries as a crop, whether around their homes or as an agricutural business. Register via Eventbrite; people who register will receive any updates regarding weather, etc. Participants should plan to bring long-handled bypass loppers if they have them available and dress warmly, as the entire event will be held outdoors. Again, due to the extreme weather lingering into early Debruary, the workshop will be delayed and is now scheduled for Wednesday, 2/18, at the same location and for the same hours of 2-5 PM. For more information, contact Watauga Cooperative Extension by emailing rjboylan@ncsu.edu or calling the office at 828-264-3061.