If you have purchased your blueberry plant during its winter dormant season, then there is no need to do anything except plant it, until the plant emerges from the winter.

You will notice that the buds swell as Spring draws nearer. The large, fat buds near the tips of the shoots are your flowers and fruit this season and the smaller ones are shoots and leaves.

As temperatures rise, these buds burst open and growth starts.

SPRING
When the leaves have emerged fully, usually towards the end of April, your plant will need its first feed.
A balanced, ericaceous, fertiliser (rhododendron / azalea fertiliser) is recommended.
A dessert spoonful (50g) is sufficient for young plants, sprinkled evenly over the root system of the plant.
The amounts used should be increased slightly over the years. [IMPORTANT NOTE: Fertilisers used for tomatoes and vegetables are generally not suitable as they do not contain the correct balance of nutrients. Any form of animal manure is also unsuitable for blueberries].
Enjoy the spring flowering season!

SUMMER
Repeat feeding the plant at the end of June because blueberries have a second stage of growth in late summer.
The whole of your plants' root system should be kept moist throughout the growing season, preferably using rain water as this tends to be acidic.
As the fruit starts to colour, try to cover the plants with bird netting to avoid theft of your precious blueberries!
In mid to late summer, long canes will grow up through the bush. This is the framework for the future. Pinching out the tips of this growth will encourage a bushy plant, as done for fuschias and chrysanthemums.

AUTUMN
This is the time for tidying up and mulching. Avoid deep cultivation close to your plant, to avoid damaging shallow roots.
The addition of a well rotted woodchip mulch to the surface around your bushes will conserve moisture and help to control weeds.

WINTER
Pruning. See our pruning section