Ruqayyah Snyder
Blueberries are a relatively new addition to Australian gardens, but they are becoming increasingly popular. They are easy to grow, but many people struggle with them. Blueberries grow best in cooler climates, favouring Victoria, Tasmania, southern NSW, southern SA and southern WA within Australia. They require good drainage and acidic soil with a pH of between 4 and 6. Blueberries can be planted all year round if they are regularly watered, but late autumn to spring is optimal. They are easier to grow in pots, but they need to be watered more often than plants in the ground.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best time to plant | Between late autumn and spring |
| Climate | Grow best in cooler climates, in areas like Victoria, Tasmania, southern NSW, southern SA and southern WA |
| Lighting | Full sun with protection from wind |
| Watering | Every day if potted, every two to three days if not; potted plants may need to be watered every day in warmer months |
| Soil type | Well-drained, acidic, and preferably sandy with a pH between 4.0 and 6.0 |
| Harvest | Begin cropping after two years |
| Pruning | Not required for the first five or six years |
| Protection | Use bird netting or keep bushes in a caged area to protect from birds and possums |
| Transplanting | Best done in winter |
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What You'll Learn
Blueberry varieties for different climates
Blueberries grow best in cooler climates, favouring Victoria, Tasmania, southern NSW, southern SA, and southern WA within Australia. They can also be grown in some regions of southern Queensland. Northern highbush varieties are best suited to these cold climates and require very cold winters to set fruit. They are fully deciduous and frost hardy. Some common northern highbush varieties grown in Victoria and Tasmania are Bluecrop, Brigitta, Caroline, Denise, Elliott, Northland, Nui, Reka, and Puru.
Southern highbush varieties, on the other hand, are suited to the warmer subtropical climates of Australia, performing well in coastal and warmer inland regions from Sydney to far north Queensland. They originate from the Florida area in the USA and are less frost hardy. Some examples of southern highbush varieties are Biloxi, Gulf Coast, Misty, and Legacy.
For the coldest climates, the Rabbiteye variety is a good option. It is a hardy plant that can tolerate a multitude of climate conditions and is bred for heat tolerance and low winter chilling. Rabbiteye varieties include Brightwell and Powder Blue.
When choosing a blueberry variety, it is important to consider your local climate and the specific growing requirements of each variety. Blueberries also vary in size, with some growing up to 2 meters tall, so spacing is an important consideration. Additionally, some varieties require multiple plants for pollination, while others are self-fertile.
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Soil preparation
Soil Type and pH:
The ideal soil type for growing blueberries is well-drained, acidic soil with a pH range of 4.0 to 5.5. If your soil is alkaline, you will need to amend it to lower the pH. This can be done by incorporating sulfur, iron sulfate, or aluminum sulfate into the soil several months before planting. Conduct a soil test to determine the current pH level and adjust accordingly.
Soil Amendment:
Blueberries prefer a soil rich in organic matter. If your soil is lacking in organic content, amend it with compost, well-rotted manure, or peat moss. These amendments will not only improve the structure and drainage of the soil but also provide
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Planting time
Blueberries are best planted between late autumn and spring. They can be planted all year round if they are regularly watered, but autumn, winter and spring are optimal.
If you're planting in a pot, select the biggest one you can handle and fill it with acidic potting mix. Blueberry plants have a shallow, fibrous root system and require regular irrigation throughout the growing season. They are not drought-tolerant and will become unproductive if they are allowed to dry out. If potted, they may need watering every day in the warmer months.
If you're planting in the ground, ensure the soil pH is adequate. Blueberries require good drainage, so dig the hole about twice the size of the pot. Because they come from the forests of North America, they like humus-rich soil, so add a bit of compost to the mix and stir it through. Another soil requirement of blueberries is a low pH of around 4 to 5.5. To lower the pH, you can use spent coffee grounds and pine needles, sulphur, or sphagnum moss.
Three weeks before planting, work iron chelate into the soil at the recommended rate. To maintain soil acidity, add powdered sulphur. This helps to liberate minerals such as zinc and iron, which are beneficial to blueberries.
When planting, make sure you don't put the bush any deeper than it grew in the pot, or it may get collar rot. Fill the rest of the hole with soil and compact it slightly. Apply a 10cm thick layer of mulch over the soil around the new bush, but keep the mulch at least 4-5cm away from the plant stem. Soak the bare-rooted bushes in water for half an hour before planting.
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Container planting
When choosing a pot, select one with a minimum diameter of 30 cm for individual plants, but larger diameters of around 50 cm are recommended to give the roots more space and to help control root disease. The pot should have good drainage holes and be made of a light-coloured material to prevent the roots from overheating. When transferring your blueberry plant to a larger pot, ensure that the top of the potting mix remains at the same level as before.
Blueberries prefer a deep, well-drained, fertile soil that is high in organic matter. The soil should be kept moist but well-drained, with regular watering throughout the growing season. Potted plants may require daily watering, especially during the summer months. A premium potting mix designed for azaleas and camellias can provide the ideal soil conditions for blueberries, with a low pH of around 4 to 5.5. This can be achieved by adding powdered sulphur, aluminium sulfate, or pine bark to the soil.
Fertiliser in the form of slow-release prills or organic pellets is required to meet the nutrient requirements of the plant. It is recommended to add a good quality 3-month slow-release fertiliser to the potting mix and mix it well. However, it is important not to add fertiliser directly to the roots as it can burn them.
Overall, container planting is a great option for growing blueberries, providing the necessary care is taken to ensure the plants have the right soil, moisture, and nutrient conditions to thrive.
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Watering and fertilising
Blueberries require frequent watering, especially during the growing season and while they are fruiting. If you are growing them in pots, they may need to be watered every day in the warmer months, and in hot summers, large established plants will require daily watering. In cooler conditions, avoid overwatering. In warm weather, blueberries can be watered every two days or more frequently if required. Always check the top 5 cm of the potting mix before watering, and water only when the mix is dry.
Blueberries are acid-loving plants that require a low pH of around 4 to 5.5 for optimal growth and production. If you are growing them in the ground, you must ensure that the soil pH is adequate. To maintain soil acidity, add powdered sulphur or peat moss, which is the quickest way of lowering the pH of the soil.
If you are growing blueberries in pots, select a premium potting mix designed for azaleas and camellias, which provides the best possible start and the right root conditions. A good potting mix will have a greater water-holding capacity, contain added nitrogen and other plant nutrients, and remain at peak performance for longer. If the potting mix does not contain fertiliser, add a good quality 3-month slow-release fertiliser to the mix and mix it in well. Fertiliser in the form of slow-release prills or organic pellets is required to supply the plant's nutrient requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
Blueberries are best planted between late autumn and spring.
Blueberries grow best in cooler climates, favouring Victoria, Tasmania, southern NSW, southern SA and southern WA within Australia.
Blueberries require good drainage and acidic soil with a pH of between 4.0 and 6.0.
Potted blueberries may need water every day in the warmer months, while garden plants require water every two to three days.
