Bluecrop
A reliable mid-season variety with firm, well-flavoured berries and steady crops.
When to plant Blueberries in London
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 London · average last frost around 4 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 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
Growing guide
What to do through the growing season
01
Plant Blueberries
20 Oct to 10 Mar 2027Plant container-grown blueberries at 20th October - 10th 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
4 Apr to 16 Sept 2027 Optional · repeat every 365 daysFrom 4th April 2027 to 16th 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
3 Feb to 5 Mar 2027 Optional · repeat every 365 daysAround 3rd February - 5th 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
13 Jun to 16 Sept 2027Put netting over the plants from 13th June 2027, when the fruit starts to colour. Keep it on through last pick, to 16th September 2027. Keep it taut and raised off the fruit.
05
Harvest Berries
28 Jun to 16 Sept 2027Pick from 28th June 2027 to 16th September 2027 once the berries are fully blue and come away with a light pull. Harvest over several weeks.
06
Light Prune
4 Jan to 3 Feb 2027From 4th January 2027 to 3rd 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.