How to Grow and Care for Blueberries in Your Garden

The UK imports mos of their blueberries from warm countries like Peru, Morocco, Chile and Spain. But actually, the berries don’t need to grow in warmer countries to taste absolutely delicious. The blueberry plant simply needs some love and care to produce flavourful blueberries. Find out how to plant a blueberry push, care for it, and enjoy the fruits of your labour. Let’s start by choosing the right kind of blueberry plant for your tastes.

Blueberry profile

• Origin: Blueberry plants are native to North America, where they grow in various regions, from the eastern and southern United States to Canada and Alaska.
• Natural habitat: They thrive in forest understories and meadow edges, often in areas that are acidic and well-drained. Blueberries are adapted to environments ranging from cold boreal forests to temperate climates.
• Substrate: Blueberry plants prefer acidic soils, with a pH ranging from 4.5 to 5.5. The soil should be well-drained, rich in organic matter, and capable of retaining moisture.
• Water requirements: These plants need consistent moisture, especially as they establish and during fruit development. However, they do not tolerate waterlogged roots well, so good drainage is crucial.
• Colours: Blueberry flowers are typically white or pink, delicate, and bell-shaped. The fruit ranges from blue to purple-black when ripe.
• Flowering Time: Blueberries generally flower in the spring. The timing can vary depending on the local climate and the specific variety, with fruit ripening in summer to early fall.
• Size: Depending on the variety, blueberry plants can vary significantly in size. They can range from low-growing shrubs less than 1 foot tall to larger bushes that reach up to 12 feet in height. There are three main types of blueberries: highbush (the most common), lowbush (also known as wild), and rabbiteye.

Choosing the right blueberry varieties

The botanical name of blueberry bushes is Vaccinium, and they are plenty of species. When selecting the blueberry varieties for your garden, it’s essential to consider several factors that influence their growth and fruit production. After you picked the best kind for your needs, we will delve into

Pollination needs

Blueberry bushes require cross-pollination for optimal fruit production. To ensure your plants thrive, plant at least two different varieties. This enhances pollination and leads to better yields and larger, sweeter fruit.

Pick characteristics

Each variety comes with unique characteristics including size, taste, and specific chill requirements—the number of hours a plant needs exposure to cold temperatures to break dormancy and produce fruit. That’s why you need to consider how cold it will get in winter where you are at, before you can narrow your choices down. 

Consider growth habits and space

Also consider the constraints of your space, be it your garden, balcony, veranda, community patch or other. Compact varieties are ideal for smaller spaces. Lowbush varieties only reach about 2 feet, but they take up more space horizontally. They don’t require much pruning. If you have a larger area available, you may consider highbush varieties. These can grow up to 12 feet and require annual pruning. Are you looking to plant blueberries in your holiday home in a warmer climate? Then you’ll want to consider growing rabbiteye blueberry bushes. 

Disease resistance and maintenance

Select varieties that are resistant to common diseases in your area. Some blueberries have been selectively bred to resist certain diseases, making them easier to maintain. 

Preparing the soil for blueberries

As soon as you picked the right variety, you can get started by preparing the soil for the arrival of your new blueberry plant. First, test the soil’s pH. The ideal range for blueberries is between 4,5 and 5,5, so slightly acidic. If your soil is not within the desired pH range, amend it using sulphur or a specialised soil acidifier. Elemental sulphur is effective but requires time to adjust the soil’s pH, usually several months to a year. For quicker results, consider using ammonium sulfate, though be cautious as it can lead to plant burn if not used correctly.

Incorporate a mix of organic materials such as peat moss, which has a naturally low pH, and well-aged compost to improve soil structure and fertility. Avoid materials with high nitrogen content like mushroom compost or fresh manure as they can raise the soil pH and are not suitable for blueberries.

Blueberries require well-draining soil to prevent root rot. If your garden area is prone to water-logging, consider raising the beds or planting in mounds to improve drainage.

Step-by-step guide to planting blueberries

Ongoing care and maintenance

As soon as your blueberry bush is planted, it needs to be looked after now and then. 

Watering requirements

Ensure blueberry plants are kept moist throughout the growing season. Regular watering is crucial, especially during dry spells. Preferably use rainwater for irrigation as it helps maintain the acidic conditions blueberries thrive in.

Feeding and mulching

Feed ground-planted blueberries with a high nitrogen feed in late winter. For container-grown plants, use a liquid fertiliser for ericaceous plants monthly. Apply a 3-inch layer of acidic organic matter such as pine needles or leaf mould each spring or autumn to preserve soil moisture and acidity.

Protection strategies

Wrap containerised plants in hessian or bubble wrap during severe cold. Use horticultural fleece for young plants in harsh conditions. Protect ripening berries from birds with netting or a fruit cage, and encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs to manage aphids.

Special care for container-grown blueberry plants

Blueberry plant care for container grown bushes requires some extra effort. Move plants to larger pots when roots appear through the drainage holes to encourage continued growth. Container plants require diligent watering, particularly in terracotta pots, which may dry out faster. Also, they need to be fertilised frequently—no exceptions.

Pruning and harvesting blueberries

Pruning helps your blueberries to stay healthy and produce more and tastier berries. And of course, harvesting in the best (or tastiest) part.

Pruning Blueberries

• Timing: Prune your blueberries in late winter or early spring, ideally between November and March when the plants are dormant. This helps prepare them for vigorous spring growth.
• Technique: Focus on removing dead or damaged branches, diseased wood, and one or two of the oldest canes each year to promote healthy new growth. Cut back twiggy wood at the end of branches to an upward-facing bud or the nearest branch.
• Rejuvenation: For mature, overgrown plants, conduct a careful renewal pruning by removing about half of the branches back to the ground. This encourages younger, more productive branches to develop.
• Maintenance: Maintain a balance in the bush’s structure, aiming for about one-third young shoots, one-third prime growth, and a third older growth. Avoid shearing blueberries into a meatball shape and use clean, sharp pruning equipment.

Harvesting blueberries

• Ripeness indicator: Blueberries are ready to harvest when they turn a deep blue colour and detach easily from the cluster. For the best flavour, leave them on the bush for a few more days after they turn blue.
• Picking period: Since blueberries ripen at different times, regular picking is necessary throughout the ripening period, which typically starts from mid-summer.
• Technique: Gently pick the ripe blueberries by hand to avoid damaging the plant. Ensure that the berries come off the bush easily and check for a sweet, tangy flavour to confirm ripeness.

Troubleshooting common problems

Are you worrying something is wrong with your blueberry plants? Most of the problems you might encounter were already thoroughly analysed and solved. Here are the most common issues when growing blueberries and their solutions.

Leggy plants, no flowers or fruit

Blueberries demand several hours of full sun daily to flourish. If your blueberry plants are leggy with no flowers or fruit, it might be due to insufficient sunlight. So make sure, they are planted in the sunniest parts of your garden. Alternatively, if fixed planting isn’t viable, consider using containers for your blueberry plants, which you can move to catch the most sun.

Stunted plants, dying foliage

Blueberries require consistently moist soil to avoid stunted growth or dying foliage. Especially during hot, dry periods, consistent moisture is key. Setting up an irrigation system can help maintain this crucial moisture balance, ensuring your blueberries stay healthy and vibrant.

Disease and pest management

• Blueberry leaf scorch and shock virus: These diseases can cause significant damage to your plants. For leaf scorch, remove and burn affected plants and maintain an aphid-free garden to prevent its spread. For shock virus, most plants will develop immunity over time, but initial symptoms can be distressing.
• Stem canker: This fungal disease causes brown blotches on stems and leaves. Prune affected areas thoroughly and dispose of the removed parts. Always sterilise your tools after cutting diseased plants to prevent further spread.

General care and maintenance

Use unfertilised peat or rhododendron soil, which suits the shallow roots of blueberries, rather than regular garden soil. This helps maintain the necessary acidity and moisture levels. Birds are fond of blueberries; protect your harvest with netting or a fruit cage to ensure you get to enjoy the fruits of your labour.

Blueberry planting FAQs

Ready to plant blueberries?

Plant your blueberries when the time is right, and you can look forward to a delicious blueberry harvesting in the summer. A fully grown plant can produce around 10 lbs of berries. In case you are interested in planting other tasty bushes, we have articles on strawberries and raspberries to offer. Fig trees also produce delicious fruit. If you have a question or maybe a blueberry planting tip for us, leave a comment. 

Happy gardening!

Louis Hooft

Founder & Lawn expert

Introducing Louis Hooft, the founder of MOOWY and your reliable expert. With a profound love for stunning lawns and extensive experience in garden maintenance, Louis is here to assist garden enthusiasts in achieving a greener and livelier outdoors than ever before. Count on Louis for invaluable tips, clever tricks, and top-notch products to make your garden flourish!