Yahoo Autos Can you grow blueberries in a pot? Garden experts share their top tips for tasty fruit
Blueberries are a delicious fruit and full of nutrients, and it's fun to grow them at home. They can be planted in the ground, but as compact plants, they also do very well in pots. Not only is this ideal for smaller outdoor spaces, but it's also the best approach for backyards with alkaline soil – these plants thrive in an acidic environment and it's easy to offer this in pots by using ericaceous compost.
Plant blueberries in spring or in the fall, into a container with a diameter of at least 12 inches – this should accommodate the plant for at least a couple of years. Add broken crockery at the bottom of the container to improve drainage. Ensure they get plenty of sun and are relatively sheltered.
'Though one blueberry will crop by itself, more berries will set if bushes are cross-pollinated by a different variety of the same species,' says Lucy Chamberlain, a fruit-and-veg-growing expert. It's not just the fruit that these plants offer – 'Some varieties have amazing fall leaf color in rich tones of orange, yellow, red and burgundy,' she adds.
Caring for blueberries in pots
John Negus, a gardening expert, suggests nourishing blueberries with an ericaceous feed. 'Containing iron and manganese for strong healthy growth and flowering, it’s ideal for all acid-loving plants.' Apply it monthly throughout the growing season. This is usually from around April to September.
These plants like their soil to be moist but well-draining. Ideally, use harvested rainwater to help maintain the acidic soil conditions they need.
'Fruits ripen over long periods, so pick every few days for the best flavor; they should come away in your hand,' says Lucy Chamberlain. Watch out for aphids, and treat them accordingly.
Pruning blueberries is unlikely to be necessary for the first few years, but after that, you can give them an annual trim when they're dormant.
