Roots

• The shallow roots of blueberry plants reach less than 18 inches into the ground. The plant's feeder roots, located right below the top of the soil, feed the plant better when they do not compete with ground cover plants.
  
  

Cultivation

• Blueberry plants require surface hoeing to keep weeds and grass from competing with the blueberries for nutrients and moisture. To avoid disturbing the blueberry plant's roots, though, hoeing only works on the top 1 inch of soil. The best time to weed the bushes is in the spring or summer, so the plants do not suffer from disturbed roots during the dormant season.
  
  

Mulch

• Rather than adding a ground cover underneath the plants, some gardeners use a 4- to 6-inch layer of mulch, sawdust or bark to help control weeds. If you plant blueberry bushes in rows, mowing the middle of the row helps reduce the competition between the blueberries and the grass or weeds.