Blueberry

How to grow blueberries

Plant pot-grown bushes 150cm apart. Cut all stems to 3cm to encourage new vigorous growth.

Choose well-drained acid soil in a sunny or part-shaded, sheltered site.

Water (ideally rainwater) and mulch with acidic material (eg old pine needles). After three years, cut down one or two older, less productive stems to the soil level each year.

Harvesting and using blueberries

Pick your blueberries when fully coloured by gently pulling them from the bush.

Tips on growing blueberries

Pigeons and other birds will compete with your for your blueberries so cover the bushes with a netting to protect them, making sure it's well-secured so no birds get trapped inside.

Blueberry bushes are self-fertile but planting more than one variety gives better pollination and heavier crops.