Get the soil acidity right first
Blueberries need acidic growing conditions, usually around pH 4.5–5.5. Many UK garden soils are too alkaline, so a large container is often more dependable than trying to alter a whole bed. Use an ericaceous compost and a pot with generous drainage holes. If planting in the ground, test the soil before committing; compost alone may not keep a naturally alkaline bed acidic for long.
Choose a sunny or lightly shaded position protected from strong drying winds. A container at least 40–45 cm wide gives a young bush room to establish, with larger pots useful as plants mature. Keep the root ball at its original depth and mulch the surface with pine bark or leaf mould, leaving the stem base clear.
Watering and pollination
Blueberry roots are shallow and dislike drying out, but they also need air around them. Check pots frequently in warm weather and water thoroughly when the surface begins to dry. Rainwater is preferable where available because hard tap water can gradually raise the pH; if you must use tap water, periodically check the compost condition and avoid overwatering.
Most varieties are self-fertile, but planting two compatible varieties that flower at similar times can improve pollination and often gives a longer harvest. Flowers need insects to transfer pollen. Avoid covering the bush with fine netting during flowering; use bird protection as berries ripen, and keep covers taut and checked.
Prune for a balance of young and older stems
A young bush needs little pruning beyond removing dead or damaged growth. Once established, prune in late winter while the plant is dormant. Remove a small number of the oldest, weakest stems at ground level and any crowded, crossing growth. Keeping a mix of young and productive branches is better than shearing the whole plant into a tight shape.
Feed only with products labelled for acid-loving plants and follow the stated rate. General garden lime or alkaline feeds can work against the crop. If leaf growth is poor or yellow between veins, check acidity and watering before adding fertiliser; symptoms can have more than one cause.
Pick only when berries are fully ripe
Berries turn blue before they are fully sweet. Wait several days after colouring so they soften slightly and release easily from the stalk. Pick in dry weather and handle gently. Birds can take a crop quickly, so fit a fruit cage or secure fine netting on a frame before the berries colour rather than draping loose mesh over shrubs.
Eat fresh berries promptly or refrigerate them unwashed in a shallow container. Freeze surplus in a single layer before bagging so the berries remain separate. In autumn, refresh the surface mulch and check pots are raised off the ground if winter drainage is poor.