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. Birds are the real problem, often stripping a bush the week it ripens. Net it once flowering is over and before the berries colour; a compact variety in a Grow Frame bed (or the kit, shipped Australia wide) sits under a net all season.
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: OHWiki, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.