Brilliant Blueberries

This nutrient packed superfood can help manage blood sugar levels, boost memory function and improve heart health and makes one heck of a muffin! So why not give them a go?

Right now is the perfect time to be planting blueberry bushes for the summer harvest. But what do you need to know?

• Plant until February whilst the bushes are dormant.

• Grow in groups of 3 or more for pollination (unless using a self fertile variety like Pink Lemonade or Sunshine Blue).

• They prefer free draining, more acidic/low pH soil at around 4.5 - 5.5.

• Position in a sunny spot sheltered from the wind.

• Select a variety that is suitable to your local climate. For cooler climates select an early variety.

Small space, no worries!

Smaller varieties like Hortblue Petite, Liberty, Polaris, Sunshine Blue and Tophat are perfectly suited to pots.

• Standout small variety: Hortblue Petite provides 2 crops per year.

Biggest cropper

Bluecrop, Chandler, Liberty (for it's size) and Patriot.

• Standout heavy cropper: Liberty may be small but rivals the others for berry production.

Culinary use

Best for freezing: Brigitta and Draper.

Jam making and baking: Bluecrop, Duke, Elliot, Herbert and Jersey.

Larger juicy fruit: Chandler and Spartan.

Sweeter: Herbert, Pink Lemonade.

Standout culinary variety: Herbert has well balanced notes of sweetness along with the traditional blueberry taste.

Harvesting

Early varieties - June - mid July: Duke, Earliblue, Patriot and Spartan.

Mid-Season varieties - July - August: Bluecrop, Brigitta, Goldtraube, Herbert, Liberty, Pink Lemonade, Polaris, Tophat, Sunshine Blue

Mid to Late varieties - Late August - September: Chandler, Draper, Elliot, Ozarkblue (require a warmer climate)

• Hortblue Petite and Pertetua produce 2 crops per year with a small early yield and a much larger later one.

TIP: Growing 2 or more varieties together can help produce bigger, healthier berries!