Story: Everyone's Favorite Berry Blueberries
Episode: Episode 7
Presenter: Trevor Cochrane
Air Date: 20th March 2022

When it comes to healthy food to grow at home, it’s hard to go past the antioxidant packed powerhouse, Blueberries.

• There are some tricks to growing Blueberries, and the first relates to your soil pH
• Understanding whether your soil is alkaline or acidic is vitally crucial to the success of the growth your plants.
• The ideal pH is as low as 4 to 5.5. if it’s a pH that’s around 6.5, you are fine, and they should grow in the ground.
• If its alkaline is at a 7, you can amend the soils pH relatively easily by using something like Sulphate or Iron as a fertilizer. If its higher you need to grow them in pots.
• When growing in pots, get a specialist potting mixture such as Scott’s Osmocote.
• Search for a blend that’s designed for Camellias and Azaleas.
• Use a larger pot to establish a robust root system.
• The average Blueberry plant in Perth will produce around 2kgs of fruit over a 4 month season from November onwards.
• One trick is to never to let them dry out. Blueberries dislike dry conditions because they originated from high rainfall rainforests in North America.
• The most important thing to remember is just how good they are for you. It is one of the richest sources of trace elements and minerals essential for a healthy body and possibly the richest source of antioxidants.