How To Grow Blueberries In Containers

My love for gardening has me ripping out weeds from plants at five in the morning and scurrying across the lawn to prune shrubs.

It also has me listening to the podcast of Epic Gardening at odd hours at night. So, naturally, when my friend Melinda told me she was growing blueberries in a container, my curiosity was piqued. I didn't want to disappoint her, but I've always been unsure of container gardening. After all, plants need ample space to grow, especially fruit plants, right?

Well, so imagine my surprise when she sent me pictures of her tiny blueberry buds thriving in a small container! I immediately gave it a shot, and, lo and behold, the results were right before my eyes - a flourishing stem that gave way to flowers and then a couple of berries in the first two years itself.

Now, I randomly pick up containers when I go garden-shopping, and you'll find mint, marigolds, red radishes, and gorgeous geraniums growing on my balcony and stairway.

Hello! I'm Stacy Smith. And today, I'll introduce you to the world of container gardening, and here’s a warning - it's not a world you'd want to come back from.

So, let's get started!

Growing Blueberries In Containers

It shouldn't come as a surprise that blueberries are my absolute favorite, given their antioxidant properties and delectable taste. And benevolent as I am, here's a step-by-step guide on how to grow blueberries in containers. So, get your little fruit grove and thank me later for it.

1. Choose The Container

The roots of the blueberry plant need sufficient space to grow, and an 18 to 20-inch pot would suffice for it. Make drainage holes in them and position the container towards the sun.

I chose a cast concrete container for my plant since they are durable enough to withstand harsh weather. However, you can choose sturdy plastic, wood, or clay pots as well.

2. Choose The Plant

If you want a larger fruit yield, plant two or three different blueberry plants that produce fruit during different periods, not more than 3 feet apart. Cross-pollination will make the yield more extensive, and your plant will thrive throughout the year.

There are essentially four blueberry species: low bush, high bush, rabbiteye, and hybrid half-high. Out of these, I grew TopHat from the low-bush variety and Sunshine Dwarf from the high-bush variety since they are the most compact.

3. Soil Preparation

I remember reading an article in Country Gardens that spoke in great detail about soil preparation for growing blueberries. Although they talked about larger trees, I used the same method for my miniature version and was not disappointed with the results.

Blueberries need acidic soil, with a pH of 4.0 to 4.8, to thrive. Naturally occurring soil is not that acidic, but mix it with some compost and pine bark, or the soil mix from your camellias or azaleas, and you're good to go.

So, I borrowed some soil from my acid-loving azalea plant and mixed it with peat moss and oak leaves. Then, I added regular soil to this mixture and got the perfectly balanced acidic soil.

If you don't have acidic soil around, you may use fertilizer or add some ammonium sulfate. However, I'm firmly against the use of chemical fertilizers because I'm not too fond of the idea of chemicals in food.

So, go on a hunt for some organic compost and fertilize the plant using a cottonseed meal or try mulching it with pine bark or cypress.

4. Planting The Blueberries

Now that you've chosen a container and got the soil ready, it's time to plant the fruit. Properly layer the soil to the brim and moisten it. Then embed the plant in the soil carefully.

Melinda had warned me that growing blueberries is an exhaustive process, and I need to be patient, so I kept that in mind as I diligently water the plant every few days. It took her plant five years to produce an entire harvest. So, be ready to dedicate time and energy without being impatient.

Maintaining The Blueberries

I cannot leave you hanging with just the steps of growing blueberries in a container. Maintenance is vital, and patience is an excellent virtue with this fruit. So, here are a few tips on keeping them prim and proper.

Tip 1: Water The Plant

Blueberry plants shouldn't be excessively moist or overly dry. Water it consistently, even if it rains. During winter, reduce the frequency of watering but ensure that the plant doesn't dry out. Add mulch like pine bark that traps moisture in the plant and test its pH level frequently.

Not just that, remember to keep it well-fertilized. If you notice the leaves yellowing, add some fertilizer to make the soil more acidic.

Tip 2: Keep It Under The Sun

Blueberries cannot flourish without sufficient sunlight. So much so that they need a minimum of six hours of sunlight per day. I keep them on my balcony throughout the day because it receives direct sun rays there. However, too much of anything is overkill, so remember to remove them if the sunlight is scalding.

Tip 3: Prevent Pest Infestation

You'd be surprised to witness feathered creatures visiting your balcony frequently if it has blueberry containers on it. So, to make your plant bird-proof, layer it with netting, especially during the ripening season.

Besides, you can use fungicides for edible plants if there is a fungal infestation, but those are rare.

Final Words