When to Plant Blueberry in Melbourne, Cool Temperate Guide

Plant June to August. Right now in September it is out of season. The next planting month is June.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Blueberry guide is written for the Cool Temperate zone, which takes in Melbourne, Hobart and Geelong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Blueberry

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Acid-loving shrub that MUST have acidic soil (pH 4.5-5.5). Most Australian soils are too alkaline. Growing in pots with specialist acidic potting mix is the most reliable approach for most home gardeners. Three main types: northern highbush (high chill, cool climates), southern highbush (low chill, warm climates), and rabbiteye (tough, heat-tolerant, moderate chill). Grafted plants on rabbiteye rootstock now available for improved performance.

Best Planting Window for Cool Temperate

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - - - - P P P - - - -

P = Planting window

Plant winter (bare root available for highbush types). In-ground planting viable with soil amendment.

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How to Grow Blueberry in Cool Temperate Australia

When to Plant

Plant winter (bare root available for highbush types). In-ground planting viable with soil amendment.

Soil
ACIDIC soil, pH 4.5-5.5. This is non-negotiable. Use 50:50 peat moss and pine bark for pots. In-ground only in naturally acidic soils (rare in Australia). Add sulphur to lower pH - takes 3-6 months to work.
pH Range
4.5-5.5 (CRITICAL - will not thrive outside this range)
Sunlight
Full sun to part shade. Morning sun with afternoon shade ideal in hot zones. At least 6 hours direct sun for best fruiting.

Companion plants: Azalea, Rhododendron, Strawberry (woodland types)

Avoid planting near: Lime-loving plants, Concrete paths (leach alkalinity into soil)

Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Blueberry

Recommended Varieties

  • Northern highbush: Bluecrop, Duke, Elliott, Jersey, Patriot
  • Southern highbush also work: Sunshine Blue, O'Neal
  • Rabbiteye: Tifblue, Brightwell

Key Challenges

  • Late frost during flowering
  • Maintaining acidic soil

Pro Tips

  • Excellent blueberry zone. Adequate chill for all types.
  • Acidify soil with sulphur 3-6 months before planting.
  • Pine bark mulch 10cm deep helps maintain acidity.

Harvesting Blueberry

When ready: Berries turn fully blue/purple, then wait 3-5 more days. Ripe berries detach with a gentle roll of the thumb, no tugging needed. Taste test: sweet with slight tartness.

How to harvest: Pick by hand, rolling berries gently off cluster. Harvest every 2-3 days as berries ripen unevenly. Early morning harvest for best quality.

Where to next

What blueberry costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the cool temperate zone this September: Ginger, Sweet Corn, Chilli Peppers and Snow Peas.

Supermarket Price

Current average retail: $21.74/kg (12-month range: $20.00–$36.00)

Grow your own and save on grocery bills.

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Common Questions About Blueberry

When do you plant blueberry in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Cool Temperate zone, Melbourne is its reference city.