When to plant Blueberries in Bristol

Vaccinium corymbosum

Blueberry
Blueberry · 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

Add to garden

Calibrated to Bristol · last frost ≈ 19 Apr

Plant out October to March, harvest July to October. Frost risk November to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYes
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesNoNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

  1. 01

    Plant Blueberries

    12 Oct to 2 Mar 2027

    Plant container-grown blueberries at 12th October - 2nd 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.

  2. 02

    Water

    19 Apr to 1 Oct 2027 Optional · repeat every 365 days

    From 19th April 2027 to 1st October 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.

  3. 03

    Mulch and Feed

    18 Feb to 20 Mar 2027 Optional · repeat every 365 days

    Around 18th February - 20th 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.

  4. 04

    Protect Ripening Fruit

    28 Jun to 1 Oct 2027

    Put netting over the plants from 28th June 2027, when the fruit starts to colour. Keep it on through last pick, to 1st October 2027. Keep it taut and raised off the fruit.

  5. 05

    Harvest Berries

    13 Jul to 1 Oct 2027

    Pick from 13th July 2027 to 1st October 2027 once the berries are fully blue and come away with a light pull. Harvest over several weeks.

  6. 06

    Light Prune

    19 Jan to 18 Feb 2027

    From 19th January 2027 to 18th 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

Bluecrop

A reliable mid-season variety with firm, well-flavoured berries and steady crops.

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.

Blueberry guides by town

See how Blueberry timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.