Blueberries hold a very special place in my heart! As you may know, a blueberry bush and a two year old berry enthusiast were the inspiration for my children’s book series, The Blueberry Books.
Unlike other berries, blueberries have no nasty spikes, making them perfect for little gardeners. They're an attractive, bushy shrub which are easy to grow in small spaces. In fact, I've had great success growing them in pots. They won't grow taller than 1.5m and can be pruned to keep them smaller if desired.
Blueberries can be planted year-round in New Zealand, so now that the busy garden season is coming to an end I thought I’d share my top tips on growing these delicious berries!
Choose a sheltered, well drained spot in full sun and prepare your soil with compost and/or sheep pellets (better soil equals better berries).
Dig a hole twice the depth and width of the container of your plant.
Gently loosen the root ball of your plant and place in the hole, ensuring the tree is no deeper than it was in the container or bag.
For best results, make sure to feed blueberries in spring and summer with citrus food, and prune dead branches in winter.
Water to keep moist throughout the growing season.
Tui's Tips on Choosing a Variety:
Blueberry Northern Highbush - suited to the colder regions of New Zealand as they have a higher chilling requirement. These varieties flower in mid spring and produce berries from December to February.
Bluecrop
Dixi
Duke
Blueberry Southern Highbush - varieties best grown in warmer areas of New Zealand as they have a low chill requirement. Fruiting from later spring to February.
Marimba
Misty
Petite Blue
Rabbiteye - best grown in warmer areas of New Zealand as they require less winter chilling. Fruit from January through to April.
Climax
Delite
Tifblue