Blueberries seem to have everything going for them. The plants look beautiful, the fruit tastes delicious, they’re almost always near the top of the superfood list for health and nutrition… and the cool thing is that you can grow them fairly easily in your back yard here in central Texas.
Southern rabbit-eye blueberries are the type that we have in the South because they require much less cold to set fruit than the highbush varieties popular along the east coast.
The big hurdle that blueberry growers face is getting the pH right. To be successful, the plants require very acidic soil, and our soil naturally is alkaline.
To be more specific, blueberries require a pH of between 4.5 and 5.5. Neutral is 7, and we are higher, between 7.8 and 8.2. With the plants in containers, you have much more control over their conditions, and the pH of the soil.
I am into my fourth season of growing them in pots and have had some amazing crops during recent years. My tricks?
Use the right size containers and growing medium, correct watering routines and fertilization, and making sure they have enough sun.
Blueberries need 8-10 hours of direct sun to grow properly, so a good south or west exposure is best. Plant your new berries in a good soil-less mix (I use Metro Mix) in at least a 20 gallon container. I use plastic because it does not dry out as fast as clay and is easier to move when necessary, although blueberries can stay out year round unprotected.
Water regularly, but do not overwater. Rainwater is best, but I have been able to get away with tap by keeping the soil very acidic. Because blueberries don’t have root-hairs they are sensitive to water fluctuations and also to high nitrogen, fast-acting fertilizers.
Use only slow-release fertilizers for acid loving plants. I like HollyTone, an organic fertilizer and have had great results with it.
Many southern rabbit-eye blueberries need a pollinator plant (different variety) to set fruit successfully, but if you only have room for one, tifblue is your answer. It’s reliably self-fruiting, tasty and performs well in a container. Fruit ripens from May to July. Try tasting a berry or two before harvesting because under-ripe fruit can be really tart.
Other varieties commonly found in the Austin area include brightwell, climax and Austin. Tifblue is an effective pollinator for these blueberries because of its long bloom season and the others will also pollinate each other since they bloom at roughly the same time.
Brightwell produces in June and July and has a heavy production. It grows to a height of 6-8 feet and has good, quality fruit.
Climax is another popular variety. It’s also a large producer, with smaller berries arriving all at once near the end of May. I’ve been growing this one along with tifblue for years with great success. I was able to harvest several quarts from just a few plants last year and froze them for use later in the year. What I didn’t eat harvesting, that is!)
Lastly, Austin is one I have added to my collection this year. It’s a smaller blueberry, 4-5 feet instead of the normal 6-8, so it will be happy with a slightly smaller container. Austin produces large blueberries and ripens a week or two before the others.
With a little work, blueberries can become one of your favorite backyard berries. They’re thornless and easy to harvest, and are a good beginner crop for everyone from adults to kids just getting into gardening. I have enjoyed mine over the last several years and am looking forward to another great crop this spring . . . with all of the wonderful rain we have received.
Happy gardening everyone!
If you have a question, for Chris or Amanda, send it via email to: [email protected]. (Please put ‘Ask Chris Winslow’ in the subject line.) Or mail your letter or postcard to: Ask Chris Winslow. It’s About Thyme: 11726 Manchaca Road, Austin, TX 78748 www.itsaboutthyme.com
