ALL ABOUT BLUEBERRIES

GROWING OPTIONS

Think beyond growing a li le blueberry bush for the berries. You can grow a row of these shrubs – from 1-2m – and you have a low hedge of spring flowers, summer berries and autumn foliage. Or you can grow them in pots. Same result!

Planting Put bare-rooted plants in the ground or pots from late autumn to spring. Aim to get plants that are 2-3 years old, as the roots are already established and you can get fruit this summer. Soak bare-rooted plants in a bucket of water for 30 minutes prior to planting.

Aspect Full sun.

Soil Well-drained and acidic. Keep soil moist but not wet.

Water Blueberry plants are not drought-tolerant and have a shallow, fibrous root system so need regular watering throughout the growing season – at least three times a week.

Food Include lots of organic ma er in the soil when planting, then avoid fertiliser for the first month. Add more organic ma er or quality compost once a year in spring. Keep it 4-5cm away from the stem. When flowering and fruiting, feed weekly with liquid fertiliser for fruit.

Mulch Sugarcane or pea straw mulch but keep it 4-5cm away from the stem.

Pruning Not necessary for the first 5-6 years. Flowers and fruit develop on the outer tips of the branches, so only remove dead wood in late winter-spring to allow new growth to emerge.

Pests Net bushes when fruiting starts or you’ll lose your crop to the birds.

HARVESTING TIME Don’t pick too early as fruit may be tart. When berries are very dark, try a few to make sure they’re sweet enough, although they continue to ripen for a few days once picked.