{"title":"Blueberries","description":"\u003cstrong\u003eDelicious Blueberries are easy to grow in your own garden so long as a few essential rules are followed:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:  \u003c\/strong\u003eThis is by far the most important piece of the puzzle.  Blueberries require an acid soil so if Azaleas and Camellias don't grow well in your area then you will struggle with Blueberries unless you can make the soil right for them.  A well-drained organic-rich soil is essential, and a soil pH testing kit is an essential tool for anyone planning on growing Blueberries.  Check your soil using the kit; the reading needs to be 4.5 to 5.5.\n\nTo lower soil pH dig through organic matter, peat, pine needles, aluminium sulphate or sulphur when preparing the soil.  Please be aware that all of these different products have different reactive times, with some having an immediate effect and others taking some time to work their magic.  Good quality potting mix for Azaleas and Camellias can also be dug through the soil with good results, but ensure the soil is monitored on a regular basis to make sure it stays quite low.\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn Pots: \u003c\/strong\u003eFor best results use a premium potting mix for Azaleas and Camellias and select a fairly large pot.  In warmer months a layer of mulch will help keep the fine root system cool, and ensure plants are fertilised every 3-4 months with a slow-release fertiliser for Azaleas \/Camellias (to help keep the correct soil pH).  Top dress the soil every year in Spring with fresh potting mix and repot when the plant starts to grow too large for the pot.  Regular watering is essential; remember, the quality and taste of the fruit is completely reliant on the quality of the growing conditions.\u003cstrong\u003e\n\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003ePositioning:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun, or at the very least, 4-6 hours of sunlight, preferably afternoon sun is required for good fruit ripening.\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering: \u003c\/strong\u003eWhilst Blueberries will not tolerate waterlogged soil, regular and deep watering is essential for a good crop.\u003cstrong\u003e\n\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong\u003eProtection from Birds:\u003c\/strong\u003e Blueberries are also a very tasty treat for birds, and as we cannot harvest them until ripe, the chances of picking them before the birds is very slim without some form of netting to protect them.  It is recommended a frame is built over the Blueberry patch to ensure you get to enjoy the fruits of your labour, but ensure bird netting is used as bees are needed to pollinate the flowers.\n\n\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGeneral Information:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \t\u003cli\u003eMost Blueberries need a chilling period in order to set fruit. For warmer areas, Rabbiteye types are more suitable, or the evergreen Sunshine Blue which is very reliable without a cold Winter.  Rabbiteye types need a different variety nearby for cross-pollination.  Highbush types are more suited to cooler climates and whilst a second variety is not essential for cross-pollination, it does result in better size and quality fruit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \t\u003cli\u003ePlants generally begin cropping at about 2 years old, and pruning is required to ensure good fruiting year after year.  Whilst the aim of pruning any fruit tree should be to create an open vase-shaped plant, the removal of any spindly and dead looking branches in late Winter\/ early Spring is recommended.  Ideally, we would also remove flowers from the developing plants for the first few seasons too so they have adequate time to develop good strong roots and growth before fruiting starts in earnest.  Plants can be tip pruned by about 1\/3 during the growing season to keep growth fairly compact but this is not essential.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \t\u003cli\u003eDo not harvest your fruit too early.  Blueberries will not ripen after being picked so give them at least a week after they have fully darkened to sweeten up.  Always test taste a few berries to make sure they are ready, and be careful not to damage the shoots on branches as this is where next year's crop will come from.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \t\u003cli\u003eBlueberries freeze exceptionally well, and this is the best way of preserving most of the nutrient goodness in the fruit.  Wash and pick out any damaged fruit and pat dry before spreading out in a single layer and freeze until solid.  Once frozen berries can be placed into a plastic bag or container for safe storage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n ","products":[{"product_id":"blueberry-sunshine-blue","title":"Blueberry Sunshine Blue","description":"\u003cp\u003eBlueberry Sunshine Blue is a dwarf semi evergreen bush producing masses of large sweet berries in late spring and summer. This variety is self fertile so another plant nearby is not required, making it perfect for smaller gardens. Blueberry Sunshine Blue is frost tolerant and will reliably produce fruit without a cold winter making this variety is well suited to all parts of Australia. This compact variety is also more tolerant of a higher soil pH than other varieties so it is far less tricky to grow than other varieties.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable for growing in a pot or the garden, delicious Blueberries will keep well refrigerated or frozen. Yield can be up to 6-9 kg per plant when mature. Prefers a full sun to part shade position and requires an acid soil to grow well.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Garden Express Australia","offers":[{"title":"50mm Grownet","offer_id":53828184277176,"sku":"LPOBLUSBL","price":8.9,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"140mm Pot","offer_id":53828184309944,"sku":"P14BLUSBL","price":24.9,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"68mm Pot","offer_id":53828184342712,"sku":"P68BLUSBL","price":12.9,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0928\/0805\/2920\/files\/blueberry-lpoblusbl-sunshine-blue-2019.jpg?v=1785382242"},{"product_id":"blueberry-blue-rose","title":"Blueberry Blue Rose","description":"\u003cp\u003eBlueberry Blue Rose is a highbush type of Blueberry that requires a chilling period of around 750 to 1000 hours, making it more suited to cooler climates. A deciduous Blueberry, Blue Rose will produce large fruit that is best picked when completely ripe as the acidic fruit will not ripen after it is picked. A very good variety for cooking, Blue Rose will hold it's form when frozen and thawed, making it excellent to use in a variety of ways. Blue Rose is partially self fertile, but a larger crop will result if another variety is growing nearby.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLike all Blueberries, Blue Rose does need an acid soil to grow well. If growing in a pot ensure a potting mix for Azaleas and Camellias is selcted as this will ensure the correct soil pH.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable for growing in a pot or the garden, the delicious Blueberries will keep well refrigerated or frozen. Yield can be up to 6-9 kg per plant when mature. Prefers a full sun to part shade position and requires an acid soil to grow well.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Garden Express Australia","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53828364009656,"sku":"P14BLUBRO","price":24.9,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0928\/0805\/2920\/files\/blueberry-p14blubro-blue-rose-2019-pplblubro.jpg?v=1785381223"},{"product_id":"blueberry-jelly-bean-pbr-140mm","title":"Blueberry Jelly Bean (PBR) 140mm","description":"\u003cp\u003ePart of the fabulous Bushel \u0026amp; Berry™ series of dwarf Blueberries, Blueberry Jelly Bean {pbr} is a dwarf deciduous bush producing large sweet berries that taste just like homemade Blueberry Jam. The foliage has unique, elongated green leaves with highlights of red in cooler climates. Featuring a naturally rounded compact shape, delicate white flowers in Spring, and foliage darkening to red in Autumn, this Blueberry adds colour and interest to your edible garden for many months, and will make a wonderful patio or verandah plant where the delicious berries can be enjoyed straight off the bush.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis variety is self fertile so another plant nearby is not required, making it perfect for smaller gardens; however a higher yield will be produced if another plant is growing nearby. Suitable for growing in a pot or the garden, delicious Blueberries will keep well refrigerated or frozen. Prefers a full sun to part shade position and requires an acid soil to grow well. A potting mix for Azaleas and Rhododendrons is recommended for pot culture.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Garden Express Australia","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53828364140728,"sku":"P14BLUJBE","price":22.9,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0928\/0805\/2920\/files\/blueberry-p14blujbe-jelly-bean.jpg?v=1785381226"},{"product_id":"blueberry-northland","title":"Blueberry Northland","description":"\u003cp\u003eA delicious Blueberry with large fruit, Blueberry Northland is a Northern Highbush variety that produces very dark flesh with a wild-berry flavour that becomes sweeter the longer they hang on the bush. Self fertile, meaning a good crop is acheived by growing only one variety of Blueberry plants, however a larger crop will be produced if another variety is planted nearby. A suitable pollinator for this one is Blue Rose due to the lateness of the flowering season. Northland requires a long chilling period so is best suited to cooler climates, however it will cope well with heat and should produce well so long as an adequately cold Winter period is experienced\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeaturing a naturally rounded compact shape, delicate white flowers in Spring, and foliage darkening to red in Autumn, this Blueberry adds colour and interest to your edible garden for many months, and will make a wonderful patio or verandah plant where the delicious berries can be enjoyed straight off the bush.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis variety is self fertile so another plant nearby is not required, making it perfect for smaller gardens; however a higher yield will be produced if another plant is growing nearby. Suitable for growing in a pot or the garden, delicious Blueberries will keep well refrigerated or frozen. Prefers a full sun to part shade position and requires an acid soil to grow well. A potting mix for Azaleas and Rhododendrons is recommended for pot culture.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Garden Express Australia","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53828364206264,"sku":"P14BLUNOR","price":24.9,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0928\/0805\/2920\/files\/blueberry-p14blunor-northland-141.jpg?v=1785381226"},{"product_id":"blueberry-brightwell","title":"Blueberry Brightwell","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn upright growing Rabbiteye variety, Blueberry Brightwell produces delicious fruit with a minimum of maintenance. Rabbiteye Blueberries are tough and hardy and are able to withstand extremes of heat and cold, even producing a moderate crop in extremely dry conditions. Of course, for best results regular watering will produce larger more flavourful fruit and much better growth on the bushes. The deep blue medium sized berries from this variety are delicious, and will ripen early to mid season. Brightwell is partially self fertile meaning a good crop is acheived by growing only one variety of Blueberry plants, however a larger crop will be produced if another variety is planted nearby. Suitable pollinators are Powder Blue, Premier and Climax.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRabbiteye Blueberries are considered Low Chill varieties, and as such, will grow and produce well in warmer to temperate climates without a cold winter, and Brightwell is not affected by frosts and extremely cool weather so this variety can be grown in most Australian climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBlueberries are suitable for growing in a pot or the garden, and the delicious fruit will keep well refrigerated or frozen. Once mature the yield per plant can be up to 6-9 kg per plant when mature. Prefers a full sun to part shade position and requires an acid soil to grow well.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Garden Express Australia","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53828423450808,"sku":"P68BLUBRT","price":11.4,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0928\/0805\/2920\/files\/blueberry-p68blubrt-brightwell-lpoblubrt.jpg?v=1785381224"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0928\/0805\/2920\/collections\/Blueberries-Collection-Garden-Express.jpg?v=1781067041","url":"https:\/\/gardenexpress.com.au\/collections\/blueberries.oembed","provider":"Garden Express Australia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}