Lexi Webster
Blueberries are native to the Northern Hemisphere and are typically found in Arctic, open boreal forest (taiga) to alpine regions. Wild blueberries are abundant with phytonutrients, antioxidants, and minerals, as well as vitamin C and folate. While Australia has a growing blueberry industry, with the majority of blueberries being sold within the country, there is no specific mention of wild blueberries growing in Australia. Instead, the focus is on cultivated blueberries, with the Highbush variety being the most common in Australia, and the Lowbush variety being unsuitable for the country's milder climate.
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What You'll Learn
Blueberry plants require full sun and well-drained, acidic soil
Blueberries require full sun exposure and protection from strong winds. They grow best in light, well-drained, acidic soil with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5. The soil should be rich in organic matter, and regular irrigation is necessary during the growing season. Blueberries are not drought-tolerant and will become unproductive if they dry out.
To achieve the necessary acidic soil conditions, mulching with manure, compost, or other organic matter can help. As the mulch breaks down, it adds organic matter to the soil, maintaining the required acidity. A deep loam or sandy loam soil type is ideal, and the use of polythene mulch, weed-mat, or natural mulch can aid in moisture retention and weed control.
Blueberry plants have shallow fibrous root systems, so ensuring well-drained soil is crucial. When growing in pots, a premium potting mix that meets Australian standards should be used, along with fertiliser in the form of slow-release prills or organic pellets to supply the necessary nutrients.
In terms of specific varieties, the Highbush and Southern Highbush cultivars are the most common in Australia. The Northern Highbush is grown in Victoria, Tasmania, and Southern New South Wales, while the Southern Highbush is better suited to milder regions like Northern New South Wales and Southern Queensland. The Rabbiteye variety is grown in cooler, frost-free locations, primarily from Perth southwards.
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Transplanting is best done in winter
Blueberry bushes can be transplanted to revive slow-growing or underperforming plants. Transplanting is best done in winter, when the plant is dormant. In colder locations, this will be after the leaves have dropped in the fall but before the ground freezes, or in early spring once the ground is workable. In mild climates, this is typically anytime between November and March.
Blueberries have shallow roots, and disrupting them during active growth can cause stress to the plant. Transplanting during dormancy gives the plant time to recover from the shock of being moved before the growing season begins. Blueberry bushes can be transplanted at other times of the year, but this may affect fruit production.
When transplanting a blueberry bush, choose a new spot with conditions suited to growing blueberries. The site should be in full sun, with rich, well-drained acidic soil. The soil pH should be between 4.0 and 5.5. If the soil is too alkaline, you can increase its acidity by adding peat moss, shredded pine bark, composted leaf mould, or coffee grounds.
Before transplanting, dig a hole that is two to three times wider than the bush and two-thirds as deep as the root ball. Place the shrub in the hole and backfill with soil. Mulch with a few inches of pine needles, shredded pine bark, or sawdust, leaving two to three inches unmulched around the stem. Water the transplanted bush well.
Blueberry bushes require regular irrigation throughout the growing season and are not drought-tolerant. During the growing season, water the bushes once a week if there is little rainfall, or every three days in hot, dry weather.
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Blueberry bushes require 2-3 years to produce fruit
Blueberry bushes are slow-growing plants that require patience to bear fruit. While they can grow to 70% of their mature size in the first year, it takes 2-3 years for them to produce flowers and fruit for the first time. In fact, it takes 6 years to reach 'full maturity', and the largest harvests typically come after 5 years. Blueberry bushes have a shallow fibrous root system and require well-drained, acidic soil (with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5) and full sun exposure. They are not drought-tolerant and need regular irrigation, particularly during the growing season and while fruiting.
In Australia, blueberries are grown in regional areas and face challenging conditions such as drought, severe storms, water restrictions, extreme heat, and fires. Growers need to pay close attention to soil preparation, ensuring the correct pH level and organic matter content. Australian blueberry growers also have to consider the availability and cost of harvest labour, which is becoming increasingly challenging.
To ensure the best fruit quality, growers must carefully hand-pick the blueberries, following guidelines about fruit maturity at harvest. The plumpest and largest blueberries are selected, and they are then packed and transported in refrigerated trucks to wholesale markets, independent fruit shops, and supermarket distribution centres.
For those interested in growing their own blueberry bushes in Australia, it is important to select a sunny location with well-drained, acidic soil. Using a premium potting mix that meets Australian standards and fertiliser in the form of slow-release prills or organic pellets is recommended. Additionally, consider the climate and choose blueberry varieties suitable for the specific conditions, such as the Northland or Legacy varieties.
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Australia's blueberry industry is facing challenges like droughts and fires
Australia's blueberry industry has been facing various challenges in recent years, including natural disasters such as droughts and fires, as well as labour and economic difficulties. The country's unpredictable climate and extreme weather events have had significant impacts on blueberry production, with the NSW North Coast region, which produces over 75% of Australian blueberries, suffering from storms and floods in February and March 2021. This resulted in a 10% reduction in overall production. The region was then impacted by continuous rainfall throughout the first half of 2022, causing further challenges for blueberry growers.
The Australian blueberry industry is vulnerable to the effects of drought, as blueberries require regular irrigation and are not drought-tolerant. During the growing season, especially when the plants are fruiting, irrigation is necessary several times a week. The availability and cost of labour during the harvest season is also becoming an increasingly pressing issue for blueberry growers across all regions.
In addition to the challenges posed by unfavourable weather conditions and labour shortages, the blueberry industry in Australia is facing economic difficulties. The high costs of inputs, such as fertiliser, have impacted growers, and the industry as a whole faces stiff competition from other berry-growing countries, particularly those that can offer lower prices, such as New Zealand.
Despite these challenges, the Australian blueberry industry has opportunities for growth and development. Australia's diverse micro-climates have enabled the country to become the first blueberry-growing nation to achieve a 52-week supply, and the industry has seen a steady increase in production and sales, reflecting global trends and the growing recognition of blueberries' health benefits. The country is also home to leading low-chill blueberry breeding companies, contributing significantly to varietal transformation in warmer climates worldwide.
To overcome the challenges posed by droughts and fires, growers are adopting best management practices and developing varieties better suited to Australia's unique climatic conditions. The industry is also exploring opportunities for diversification and market innovation to remain competitive in the global marketplace.
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Highbush blueberries are the most common variety in Australia
Blueberries are a major autumn food for bears in the Northern Hemisphere, where they are native. They are also grown in Australia, where the fruit is supplied to wholesalers, independent fruit shops, supermarkets, and international markets. The Australian blueberry industry has strict guidelines for fruit maturity at harvest, and all blueberries are hand-picked to maintain their quality.
The blueberry industry in Australia faces challenges such as drought, severe storms, water restrictions, extreme heat, and fires. Growers are also dealing with increasing labour costs and availability issues. Blueberry plants have shallow fibrous root systems and require regular irrigation, making them unsuitable for drought conditions. Soil must be acidic, well-drained, and rich in organic matter, and plants should be grown in full sun with protection from strong winds.
In Australia, the most common variety of blueberries is the highbush type, which includes both northern and southern cultivars. Northern highbush blueberries are the most common type cultivated worldwide and are grown in colder regions of Australia, such as Victoria and Tasmania. They require very cold winters to set fruit and are fully deciduous and frost hardy. On the other hand, Southern highbush blueberries are suited to the warmer subtropical climates of Australia, particularly in coastal and warmer inland regions from Sydney to Far North Queensland. They require less chilling time to break bud and flower and are semi-evergreen or fully evergreen.
Both northern and southern highbush blueberries are self-fertile, but cross-pollination can result in larger berries. Half-high blueberries, a cross between northern and lowbush berries, are another option for growers. These bushes are more compact, growing up to 1 metre in height, and they are more tolerant of temperatures down to 1 degree Celsius.
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Frequently asked questions
Blueberries are native to the Northern Hemisphere and are not typically found growing in the wild in Australia. However, they can be grown in pots or gardens in certain climates.
Blueberries grow best in light, well-drained acidic soil with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5. They require high soil moisture and should receive full sun daily. Additionally, they need regular irrigation throughout the growing season and fertiliser in the form of slow-release prills or organic pellets.
Yes, the two most common varieties grown in Australia are Northern Highbush and Southern Highbush. Northern Highbush is grown in Victorian, Tasmania, and Southern NSW, while Southern Highbush is grown in milder regions like Northern NSW and Southern Queensland. Other varieties include Rabbiteye, which is grown in cooler, frost-free locations.
Yes, wild blueberries are foraged from untamed forests without human intervention. They are typically smaller, with a black-purple hue, and have a more intense and tart flavour compared to cultivated varieties. Wild blueberries are also abundant in antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins.
