How to grow Blueberry in Australia
Blueberries demand acidic, free-draining soil rich in organic matter and full sun, so test and adjust the pH or grow them in pots of acidic mix. Keep the soil evenly moist with rainwater where you can, as they dislike lime.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 8 litres a week, watered every 2 days
- Spacing: 120 cm
- Time to harvest: 730 days (about 2 years)
- Time to germinate: 1 days
- Soil pH: 4.5 to 5.5
- Frost tolerance: Half hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | June to August | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | June to August | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | June to August | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | June to August | |
| Adelaide & SA | June to August | |
| Perth & WA | June to August | |
| Tasmania | June to August | Plant Jun to Aug. Tasmania is blueberry heaven - high chill varieties crop heavily. Acid soil essential. |
| Canberra & ACT | June to August | Excellent. High chill northern highbush varieties thrive; acid soil is essential. Plant in winter. |
| North Queensland | Not suited | Not viable. Even low chill types need cooler winters than coastal NQ, and wet season root rot finishes the rest. |
| Darwin & Top End | Not suited | Not viable. Even low chill varieties need cool winters and cool acid soil. Darwin has neither. |
Varieties
- Sunshine Blue
- Misty
- O'Neal
Companion planting
Good companions
- Strawberry
- Azalea
- Rhododendron
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Pick berries that are fully blue with a silvery bloom and roll off into your hand with no green at the stem. Harvest every few days as they ripen unevenly.
Storage
Fridge unwashed, up to 1 week. Freeze in a single layer for months.