Blueberries

Relatively easy yet highly rewarding plant!

Blueberries can be grown as a container plant or in a garden
border. Keep the compost/soil moist; avoid using tap water and stick to rainwater. Soil should stay at pH 5.5 or lower to avoid problems (you can
use a pH testing kit). Plant in moist, well drained acidic soil, and choose a
sunny, sheltered spot.

Container growing: at least 30cm diameter container for
young plants, and move to 45-50cm diameter pot when it outgrows the first one. When planting, place crock (a small piece of broken clay pot
or polystyrene) across drainage hole to retain the  compost. Feed container plants each month using liquid fertiliser.

Pruning: Rarely needed for the first two years, after that
prune late Feb to early March, removing a quarter of the old wood at the base
every year to improve plant productivity. 

Harvest
when berries have ripened; changing from green to a dusty blue colour.

Top tips

– Pick over the plant several times, as not all berries will
ripen at the same time.

– If growing in garden soil, add bulky acidic organic matter
like pine needles and avoid farmyard manure!

– Blueberries plants can yield better when planted near another
plant!

– If pH of soil is too high (over 5.5), add sulphur chips prior to planting.

Key timings