Bluecrop
A reliable mid-season variety with firm, well-flavoured berries and steady crops.
When to plant Blueberries in Brighton
Vaccinium corymbosum
Blueberries need acidic, moisture-retentive soil or ericaceous compost, and rainwater where you can. Grow them in the ground only if the soil is already pH 4.5 to 5.5. Otherwise keep them in pots of ericaceous compost. One plant per pot.
150 cm · Full Sun · High Water
Calibrated to Brighton · last frost ≈ 10 Apr
| Activity | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant out | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Harvest | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
Growing guide
What to do through the growing season
01
Plant Blueberries
21 Oct to 11 Mar 2027Plant container-grown blueberries at 21st October - 11th March 2027 in a large pot filled with ericaceous compost. Set the crown at the same level as the compost surface and water in thoroughly straight away.
02
Water
10 Apr to 22 Sept 2027 Optional · repeat every 365 daysFrom 10th April 2027 to 22nd September 2027, water with rainwater. Keep the compost evenly moist. Do this each year.
- In winter, keep the compost just moist. Do not let the pot sit sodden.
03
Mulch and Feed
9 Feb to 11 Mar 2027 Optional · repeat every 365 daysAround 9th February - 11th March 2027, top-dress with ericaceous compost or pine bark, leaving the crown clear. Do this once a year. Then give a liquid ericaceous feed every two to three weeks through the growing season.
04
Protect Ripening Fruit
19 Jun to 22 Sept 2027Put netting over the plants from 19th June 2027, when the fruit starts to colour. Keep it on through last pick, to 22nd September 2027. Keep it taut and raised off the fruit.
05
Harvest Berries
4 Jul to 22 Sept 2027Pick from 4th July 2027 to 22nd September 2027 once the berries are fully blue and come away with a light pull. Harvest over several weeks.
06
Light Prune
10 Jan to 9 Feb 2027From 10th January 2027 to 9th February 2027, in years one and two prune lightly only. After that, take out up to a quarter of the oldest stems. Remove weak, dead, or crossing stems.
Suggested varieties
Popular varieties of Blueberry to consider
Duke
An early variety that crops well and is often grown in pots or the ground.
Brigitta Blue
A late-season variety with good-sized fruit and a tidy growth habit.
Elliott
A very late variety that extends the picking season in a sheltered spot.
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Blueberry guides by town
See how Blueberry timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.