When to plant Blueberries in the UK

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
Plant out October to February, harvest July to October.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYes
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesNoNo

UK averages · set your town for dates worked out from your local frost records · how dates are worked out

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Dates for your town

Set your town to see planting windows worked out from local frost history, not a generic UK calendar.

  1. 01

    Plant Blueberries

    early October to mid-February UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Plant container-grown blueberries at early October to mid-February 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

    early May to mid-October UK average · set your town for your exact dates Optional · repeat every 365 days

    From early May to mid-October, 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

    early March to early April UK average · set your town for your exact dates Optional · repeat every 365 days

    Around early March to early April, 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

    mid-July to mid-October UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Put netting over the plants from mid-July, when the fruit starts to colour. Keep it on through last pick, to mid-October. Keep it taut and raised off the fruit.

  5. 05

    Harvest Berries

    late July to mid-October UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Pick from late July to mid-October once the berries are fully blue and come away with a light pull. Harvest over several weeks.

  6. 06

    Light Prune

    early February to early March UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    From early February to early March, 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.