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 should I plant blueberries?

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 garden calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

• Subtropical (Brisbane & SEQ): May to August
• Temperate (Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth): June to September
• Cool & mountain (Tasmania, Canberra, highlands): September to October
• Tropical (Cairns, Darwin): Not really suited to this zone
• Arid inland: June to July

How do I grow blueberries 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.

How often should I water and feed blueberries?

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.

What pests attack blueberries?

Keep an eye out for aphids and scale. Most are easily managed — see our safe pest guide.

What diseases affect blueberries?

The main ones are powdery mildew and rust. Good airflow, morning watering and steady moisture prevent most.

What grows well with blueberries?

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

When do I harvest blueberries?

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 garden 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: Rob Duval, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.