Stop buying blueberries as £2 gardening job could save you fortune
With the cost of everyday essentials going up, one gardening expert has shared a helpful tip for those wanting fresh food at a fraction of the cost
Gardening enthusiasts are being urged to take up growing blueberries in their own backyards as a way to save pennies amid soaring grocery costs. Now with the sun shining brighter and the days stretching out longer, it's the perfect time to roll up your sleeves for some gardening.
With food prices climbing, especially for staples such as fresh fruit and veg, green-fingered gurus are suggesting people start sowing their own produce right at home. Simon Akeroyd, gardening guru and author of Grow Your Groceries, has unveiled a step-by-step video guide on how to cultivate blueberries efficiently, aiming to ease the squeeze on wallets.
His book offers a cornucopia of advice for growing food in the tiniest of gardens , making it an indispensable resource for novices eager to spruce up their outdoor spaces.
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On his TikTok channel, the 50-second video showed Simon laying out the essentials for home-grown blueberries employing simple, everyday items.
At the time of writing, the average cost of a 150g punnet of blueberries in British supermarkets is £2.
With a no-fuss approach, he illustrated that yielding luscious blueberries can be straightforward, requiring just a modest container and a dash of dedication.
The clip, which has been viewed more than 840,000 times and received more than 30,500 likes, highlighted his method.
It showed: "Place [the blueberries] in a freezer for a few weeks to stratify (chill) the seeds. Defrost, and then squeeze the berries, and remove the tiny seeds inside the berries."
Simon also urged viewers to exercise patience, pointing out that blueberries require time to thrive and mature, with the delicious outcome justifying the wait.
His advice is to let seeds dry overnight before laying them on a bed of ericaceous (acidic) compost in a container, sprinkling the seeds on top.
"Leave on a sunny windowsill and soon baby blueberry seedlings will appear," he reassured.
More tips for growing blueberries
Blueberries need at least 6-8 hours of full sunlight daily for maximum berry production. Choose a spot that is sunny and sheltered from strong winds.
The fruits thrive in acidic soil with a pH between 4.5–5.5. If the soil in your area isn’t naturally acidic, you can:
- Add elemental sulfur or soil acidifiers to lower pH.
- Mix in organic matter such as pine bark, compost, or peat moss to improve soil condition.
Make sure the soil drains well (blueberries don't like soggy roots). You should also avoid areas with heavy clay soil. Alternatively, you can use a container.
Avoid pruning in the first 2–3 years, except to remove dead or damaged branches. Additionally, watch for pests such as aphids, spider mites, or blueberry maggots. Use organic sprays like neem oil if necessary.
Blueberries are ready to harvest when they are fully blue and easily come off the stem with a gentle pull. Taste a berry to check for sweetness. Harvesting usually spans several weeks, depending on the variety.
