How to grow blueberries in a raised bed

Blueberries are the ideal raised-bed fruit, because they demand acidic soil — and a raised bed lets you give them exactly the mix they want. Get that right and a bush will crop for many years.

Quick facts

• Position: full sun to part shade
• Spacing: one bush per 1 m
• Tub depth: our 41 cm depth; acidic mix
• Time to harvest: fruit from year 2–3

When to plant: Plant bushes in autumn or winter. Choose a low-chill variety for warm areas, and plant two different varieties for better pollination and bigger crops. Our free planting calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

Growing it in a raised bed: This is the key: blueberries need acidic soil (pH 4.5–5.5), so fill the bed with an acidic, ericaceous mix — something a raised bed makes easy to control. Mulch well and keep it acidic over time.

Watering and feeding: Keep the mix consistently moist (blueberries are shallow-rooted) but never waterlogged; use rainwater if your tap water is very alkaline. Feed with an acidic fertiliser.

Common pests: keep an eye out for aphids and scale. Most are easily managed — see our safe pest guide.

Common diseases: the main ones are powdery mildew and rust. Good airflow, morning watering and steady moisture prevent most.

Companion plants: Grow a couple of varieties together for pollination; they enjoy the same acidic conditions as azaleas. See our companion planting guide.

Harvest and storage: Pick when the berries are fully blue and come away with a gentle roll of the fingers — they don't ripen further off the bush. Net them, or the birds will beat you to it.

More growing guides: raspberries, strawberries and cape gooseberries.

Plan your patch: our free planting calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.