Stunningly delicious, these berries are easy to grow and can provide masses of tasty tangy fruit between December and April, depending on the variety. Blueberries are a popular ‘Superfood’, as they are high in antioxidants, vitamin C, and potassium. They are easy-care plants that are suitable for smaller spaces when grown in pots.
Planting Calendar
Blueberries can be planted and grown all year round.
Harvest In
60-90 Days
Harvest from December to April, 60-90 Days from flower.
Prepare
Position
Blueberries are best planted in full sun, in a sheltered spot.
Soil
Blueberries prefer free-draining, slightly acidic soil that is rich in organic matter. Blueberries can be planted year-round. The better the soil, the better your berries will grow. Blueberries prefer a free draining, more acidic soil with a high proportion of organic matter. Adding Peat to the soil when planting will provide acidity.
Pollination
While they are self-fertile, blueberries will produce more fruit if they are pollinated by another variety of the same type (e.g, choose two different Rabbiteye varieties to ensure they are both pollinated).
Plant
In the Ground: Can be grown as individual shrubs or as a short, informal hedge. Space 0.6-1m apart for a hedge or 2m apart to grow as a shrub. Dig a hole as deep and as wide as the pot your plant comes in, and then backfill mixing in Kings Organic Compost, Peat and Kings Sheep Pellets with your soil. Then plant into the loosened soil. In heavier soils make sure you break the edge of your hole up and mix in Gypsum Clay Breaker, and plant into a slight mound to improve drainage. In Containers: If you are short of space, they can be grown in a large pot that should hold at least 40L of Kings Container Mix. A half wine-barrel is ideal and can hold two plants. SaturAid is a good product to add at planting time, this ensures that water will go directly to the roots of the plant and not run off, and is a huge benefit during the hot dry summer months. Water in well with Aquaticus Garden Booster added to the water.
Care
Watering
Watering throughout the growing season will ensure that plants grow well and stay strong, just make sure that they do not become too wet or too dry. Deep watering at the fruit setting stage will ensure a bountiful crop.
Feeding
If grown in the ground feed with Kings Blueberry Food in Spring, Summer and Autumn. When grown in containers feed with Kings Liquid Fast Food at 2 weekly intervals. For strong healthy roots and plant health, apply a monthly application of Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster.
Protecting
Use bird netting to cover the developing fruit, as this will help keep the birds away from your ripening crop.
Mulching
Mulch around the base of the plants (make sure that the mulch does not come into direct contact with the stem of the plant) with Living Earth More Than Mulch. Mulching helps to reduce weeds as well as aiding the soil to retain moisture.
Pruning
Fruit is borne on last year's wood. Vigorous wood tends to bear the largest fruit. In winter prune out any dead, damaged or diseased wood as well as any weaker looking growth. Prune out some old growth (older than four to five years) to encourage new growth and increase plant vigor.
General Care
When using sprays, chemicals or fertilisers always read the label and follow the instructions. Apply sprays in the evening to avoid harming beneficial insects.
Tip
For people in Auckland or other warmer areas of the country, it is generally best to choose a 'Rabbiteye' variety, and with a couple of exceptions we mainly sell Rabbiteye varieties. Other types available are classed either as ‘Southern Highbush’ (which can generally be grown in warmer areas) or ‘Highbush’ (best grown in cooler areas).
Top Varieties
Blueberry Blue Dawn
This 'rabbit-eye' variety producing masses of large, tasty fruit. Self-fertile but to improve pollination and fruit set plant with another 'rabbit-eye' variety such as Sapphire Blue, Powder Blue, Tasty Blue, or Burst. Fruits December through to January.
Blueberry Blueberry Muffin
A high Bush variety that produces heavy crops of tasty, medium-sized fruit. Self-fertile but does better when planted with another High bush variety such as Summer Blue. Fruits December through to March.
Blueberry Summer Blue
A Southern highbush variety producing medium, dark blue fruit with a red back. Fruit ripen from December and again in March. Cross pollination with another Highbush variety will improve yield, such as Blueberry Muffin Grows 2 x 1.5m
Blueberry Tasty Blue
This 'rabbit-eye' variety producing delicious juicy deep blue fruit. Self-fertile but to improve pollination and fruit set plant with another 'rabbit-eye' variety such as Sapphire Blue, Powder Blue, Tasty Blue, or Burst. Fruits December through to January.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my blueberries shrivel and drop offf?
Firstly ensure that your plants are getting adequate deep watering. Blueberries are also prone to fungal infections, spray with Free Flo Copper for prevention rather than cure
