Blueberries and Cranberries are the only berry plants that require some investment and effort to ensure countless years of healthy fruiting.
The correct soil mixture for your Blueberry plant is essential.
Numerous varieties of Blueberry Plants are available. We provide the most suitable varieties for our South African climate.
We have Early, Mid, and Late fruiting season Blueberry Plants. If you have all three (colder areas), you can pick blueberries for 6 – 8 months of the year.
Our Blueberry plants are self-pollinating but will bear a bigger yield and richer fruit if cross-pollinated. They can be planted during any season; however, if planting in the hotter months, care must be taken to keep the roots dry.
They may go into shock during transit or replanting but are otherwise very resilient.
Position
Blueberries do best when in full sun and are protected from the wind. They will survive in a bit of shade. If you have more than one blueberry bush, plant them together in a patch near one another.
Size
A mature blueberry bush can be between 1 metre and 1.5 metres in height, with a spread of about 1.2 meters.
Soil Type
To survive, your blueberries must have well-draining, acidic soil with a pH between 4.2 and 5.5. The soil should retain moisture but never become waterlogged. Under these conditions, they can produce delicious fruits for 30 to 50 years.
Before planting, add a bag or two of acid compost to your garden soil or potting soil if growing in a container. Planting too high or too deep stresses the plant and threatens its long-term health.
Mulch
Mulch with 2 to 5 centimetres of pine bark mulch to protect the roots from UV damage and drying out. It retains moisture, and maintains an optimal pH. Do not let the mulch touch the plant stem, as it may cause infection or rot.
Watering
For the first two or three weeks after planting your blueberry bush, give it between 2 and 5 litres of water per week (unless there’s been rain). Once it is established, you can water it well every third day. Never allow the soil to dry out completely. If it has dried out (perhaps in extremely dry conditions), give it a slow, gentle soaking.
Fertilising
Only fertilise your plant every 4-5 months with one teaspoon of our slow-release nitrogen-rich berry fertiliser. Use compost of old vegetable and fruit peels to add excellent nutrients to your soil and keep it acidic by mulching with pine bark.
Do not fertilise with manure, worm tea or coffee grounds as they are too intense for blueberries.
Pruning
These delightful little berries grow on the short side shoots produced during the previous year’s spring and summer. So, be sure not to cut these off. Prune your bush when it is about 5 years old. The best time to prune is in winter; only the dry branches and branches that have borne much fruit during the season need to be cut.
Harvesting
Different varieties of blueberries ripen at different times of the fruiting season. There are early-season, mid-season, and late-season varieties. So, choose a variety from these blueberry types to get the most out of your plants. This will extend the fruiting period of your harvest by a few months.
Don’t rush to pick the berries the moment they turn blue. Rather, wait a few days. They are perfectly ripe when they readily fall off the twig and into your hand.
