🫐 Blueberry Planting Instructions

 

Blueberries are attractive, easy-to-grow fruit bushes that produce delicious, antioxidant-rich berries. They are ideal for gardens, patios, raised beds, and containers, providing both ornamental value and excellent harvests.

 

🌱 Planting Position

Choose a sunny, sheltered position with acidic, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil. Blueberries require acidic soil with a pH of 4.5–5.5 and are best grown in ericaceous compost if your soil is not naturally acidic.

 

📏 Planting Distance

  • Plants: 1.2–1.5m (4–5ft) apart
  • Rows: 1.8–2m (6–6.5ft) apart

 

Allow sufficient space for bushes to mature and for easy harvesting.

 

🌳 Planting

  1. Soak the roots thoroughly before planting.
  2. Dig a hole twice the width of the root system.
  3. Mix plenty of ericaceous compost into the planting hole if required.
  4. Plant at the same depth as previously grown in the nursery.
  5. Firm the soil gently around the roots.
  6. Water thoroughly after planting.

 

💧 Watering

Blueberries prefer consistently moist soil and should never be allowed to dry out completely. Use rainwater where possible, particularly in areas with alkaline tap water.

 

🌿 Feeding & Care

Feed annually with an ericaceous fertiliser in spring. Apply a mulch of pine bark, leaf mould, or other acidic organic material to help retain moisture and maintain soil acidity.

 

🫐 Harvesting

Blueberries are typically ready to harvest from mid to late summer. Pick berries when they are fully blue and easily detach from the plant.

 

🌟 Top Tip

For the best crops, plant two different blueberry varieties nearby to improve pollination and increase yields.

 

English’s Fruit Nursery Tip

 

Blueberries are excellent for container growing and provide beautiful spring flowers, colourful autumn foliage, and delicious fruit all from one plant.