Growing blueberries is far easier to grow than many gardeners realise once you match the right variety to your climate and give them the conditions they love. From cool, frosty regions to warm and humid backyards, you’ll find a blueberry perfectly suited to your place.
The first step to growing blueberries is choosing the right variety
Blueberries are shrubs that generally grow 1 to 2 m tall and fall into a few main groups, each with different climate needs. In cooler areas with cold winters, northern highbush varieties are ideal. These deciduous plants need winter chill to flower and fruit, with berries ripening from early summer through to autumn.
Gardeners in warm temperate and subtropical regions should look to southern highbush varieties, which need far less winter cold and fruit from late winter through summer. Rabbiteye blueberries are another good option for warmer climates and can also cope with moderate cold. These tend to ripen from late spring into summer and may lose some leaves in winter.
Most northern and southern highbush blueberries will produce fruit on their own, but yields often improve when two varieties are grown together. Rabbiteye types must be planted with a compatible partner to fruit well. Once established, a healthy bush can produce around 4 kg of berries each season. Four to six plants will keep most households happily supplied.
Planting blueberries successfully
Plant potted blueberries in spring and autumn, or bare rooted plants in winter. Choose a sunny position with excellent drainage and enrich the soil with plenty of compost.
Soil acidity is critical when growing blueberries. They need a pH between 4.5 and 5.5. If your soil is alkaline, apply garden sulphur to lower the pH, or when growing blueberries in pots using an acidic azalea and camellia potting mix.
Blueberries thrive in containers, making them perfect for patios, balconies and small spaces. Choose pots at least 30 to 40 cm wide and opt for compact or dwarf varieties for best results.
Growing blueberries well
Water consistently, especially during dry weather and while plants are fruiting. Maintain a 5 to 7 cm layer of sugar cane mulch to help retain moisture and keep roots cool.
Each spring, dress the soil with more compost and mulch and feed with a fertiliser formulated for acid loving plants such as azalea and camellia food. Check soil pH annually. Yellowing leaves or poor growth often signal that it has crept too high. Apply more sulphur if needed to bring it back into the 4.5 to 5.5 range.
Harvesting and pruning blueberries
Harvest berries when they’re fully coloured and easily drop into your hand. If necessary, cover plants with a net as fruit ripens to protect them from birds and possums.
Blueberries fruit on last season’s growth, so avoid heavy pruning. Instead, remove a few older canes at ground level when bushes become tall and crowded, allowing fresh, productive shoots to replace them.
Top blueberry variety picks for home gardens
- Blue Rose: Northern highbush with large, juicy berries. Great paired with ‘Denise’.
- Denise: Compact and productive, ideal for pots or gardens.
- Sharpeblue: Southern highbush suited to warmer climates. Tough and reliable.
- Sunshine Blue: Compact, low chill variety perfect for containers.
- Powder Blue: Rabbiteye type for warm regions. Partner with ‘Tifblue’.
- Blueberry Burst: Australian bred dwarf producing large, sweet berries in pots or gardens.
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