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
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
Shop Blueberries
What you need to Grow Well
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to plant blueberries?
The ideal time to plant blueberries is during the late autumn to early winter (May to July). This allows the plants to establish roots before the growing season.
How often should I water my blueberry plants?
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.
"Do blueberries need fertilising? "
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 in 2 weekly intervals. For strong healthy roots and plant health, apply a monthly application of Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster.
How do I prune blueberry bushes?
Blueberries bear fruit 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.
"When are blueberries ready to harvest? "
Harvest from December to April, 60-90 Days from flower.
