Table of Contents

Planting

Blueberries need a moist well-drained acid (peat-rich) soil to crop well (a pH of 4.0 - 6.0 is ideal) in sun or partial shade.

Plant the bushes as soon as possible after receipt, 1.2m (4ft) apart. Dwarf varieties such as Sunshine Blue can be planted closer.

Should weather conditions be adverse (i.e. if the ground is frozen or too wet to plant), leave the bush in its pot in a sheltered spot until your soil is in better condition.

Improve the soil structure by thorough digging before planting and if possible mix well rotted manure or compost into the top soil.

Soak the pot in water for 1-2 hours. Dig a hole comfortably large enough to take the rootball, remove the pot, ensuring the top of the rootball is level with the surrounding soil or up to 1cm (½in) deeper. Firm the soil around the rootball and water-in thoroughly.

Alternatively blueberries can be planted in containers, using an ericaceous compost. Start them off in a container that is 30cm (12in) in diameter. Pot grown blueberries will need repotting every other year.

Watering

Blueberries have very fine shallow root-systems making them very susceptible to drying out. Keep the soil around the bush moist throughout the first growing season. In later years only water during prolonged dry spells, drenching thoroughly no more than once a week. Container grown bushes will need more regular watering and should never be allowed to dry out.

Weeding & Mulching

Keep the area around your bush free of weeds, particularly during the first year. An annual mulch of well rotted compost will greatly improve moisture retention and soil structure, and help suppress unwanted weeds.

Pruning

Blueberries do not require pruning in the first few years. To prune in later years remove each winter about 20% (one fifth) of your bush, cutting back to strong new growth and remove any new branches that are likely to touch the ground under the weight of the crop.

Feeding

Blueberries must not be given fertilizers containing lime or calcium. There will be adequate nutrients in most garden soils to promote healthy development. In poor soils, feed with ericaceous fertilizer in the spring.

Container grown bushes should be fed with ericaceous fertilizer on a regular basis during the growing season.

Pests & Diseases

Blueberries are generally trouble free. Any chemicals should be used strictly as per the manufacturers instructions.

Further Information

For detailed information refer to R.H.S. Growing Fruit by Harry Baker. Useful information can also be found on the RHS website.