This Compact Fruit Is Replacing Apple Trees in Small Gardens – It’s Easier to Grow and Thrives in Pots
Discover why blueberries are the perfect fruit to grow if you're tight on space
Just because you have a small garden, doesn't mean you can't grow your own fruit. I've been longing to add fruit trees to my garden, but simply don't have the space for the likes of a towering apple tree. That's why I've been looking at alternatives and finally landed on the perfect pick: blueberry bushes.
Of course blueberries don't directly replace apples as a crop, but to fulfil my kitchen garden fantasy, they're much easier to work with in a small garden. They take up less space, can be easily grown in pots (especially the native variety 'Lowbush' blueberry from Plant Addicts), and they don't rely on multiple shrubs for cross-pollination. Plus, they crop far sooner than apples, providing quicker gratification.
Just like large apple trees, blueberry bushes even have their own beautiful spring blossoms and fall foliage, ticking the box for ornamental value. So, if you're also tight on space and want a reliable, productive fruit to grow, keep reading – here's why you should consider blueberries over apples.
The Problem with Apple Trees in Small Gardens
There are several reasons why apple trees aren't the most ideal fruit trees for small gardens.
The most obvious point being they can tower with large canopies. Not only does this take up ground space with large trunks, it also casts shade over your limited outdoor space, taking away opportunities to grow sun-loving plants elsewhere.
Of course, there are compact apple tree varieties (like this 'Scarlet Sentinel' columnar apple tree at Fast Growing Trees), but maintenance is still very particular.
Apple tree pruning is quite specific, for example. You need to prune these trees in a way that improves air circulation, maintains shape, and encourages fruiting wood. This is laborious (although made easier by an electric pruner, like the Felco 2e pruning shears on Amazon), and if you get it wrong, you could stunt your apple harvest.
The majority of apple trees also don't self-pollinate, so you often need a second tree nearby for a reliable and higher yield. When you're tight on space, this isn't an easy thing to achieve.
Another common issue with apple trees in small gardens is they have a few pests and diseases to keep an eye out for. Apple scab, powdery mildew, and woolly apple aphids are particularly problematic. In a smaller garden, these issues are at a higher risk of spreading fast.
With all of this in mind, I've decided blueberries are a more achievable and manageable fruit to grow successfully in my small backyard. Here's why.
Why Blueberries Are Better for Small Gardens
For someone like me with a smaller yard, every inch of outdoor space counts. That's why blueberries are replacing apples in small gardens, as it demands much less space.
Blueberry shrubs are typically self-fertile and can produce a crop without a second plant for cross-pollination, though planting two or more varieties will boost your harvest. You should pick two varieties blooming at the same time, for example this 'Blue Jay' blueberry from Nature Hills and this 'Patriot' blueberry from Plant Addicts both blossom between April and May.
Not needing multiple shrubs, is a lot less demanding of space than needing to grow multiple apple trees.
Plus, blueberries are one of the easiest fruit to grow in pots (compact varieties are the best choice for containers), which is more favorable in a smaller yard, courtyard garden, or even on a balcony garden.
In fact, blueberry shrubs are often best grown in containers because they require an acidic soil type to thrive and bear fruit. This is far easier to control when growing in pots.
Blueberry bush pruning is also more forgiving than apple trees. It focuses on removing damaged and dead wood to encourage new growth.
And when it comes to pests and diseases, blueberry bushes are susceptible to the likes of mummy berry, botrytis blight, and more. However, it's easier to keep these at bay than apple tree problems, for example by maintaining good air circulation (you can use these Fiskars bypass pruning shears to remove crossing branches) and drainage in pots.
If you're battling with birds eating your blueberries, simply place this fruit bush netting from Lowe's over the shrub.
Blueberry Varieties to Try
There are so many different types of blueberries to grow, with pretty much all of them being suited to some form of a smaller garden, whether a tiny yard, balcony, or even in a window box.
If you like to prioritize native planting, then 'Blue Jay' blueberry (available at Plant Addicts) is a good choice. It's a larger shrub with a mounded habit, reaching 6-7ft in height, so it can work in borders and large pots. In fall, its dark green foliage turns a beautiful purple-red.
'Patriot' blueberry (also available at Plant Addicts) is an early-season option, ready to harvest from late June. It's loved for being a particularly productive shrub, yielding 10lbs or more of fruit once mature. This blueberry shrub typically reaches 4-5 feet, once again working well for gaps in planting or larger pots.
For a variety to grow in hanging baskets, window boxes, and vertical gardens, 'Sapphire Cascade' blueberry (which you can find at Plant Addicts) is the option for you. It was bred specifically for smaller spaces, with a trailing habit that turns it into an edible botanical spectacle.
You can use this vertical garden pocket plant on Amazon to create an edible living wall with 'Sapphire Cascade.'
'Sunshine Blue' blueberry (which you can find on Amazon) is another popular choice for container growing. It's a semi-evergreen compact shrub with pink-white spring flowers. It has a sweet, sugary berries ready to harvest in summer.
What to Shop
This blueberry fertilizer is a special formula to support root development and fruit production. Apply in early spring, as new foliage appears.
The Felco F2 pruners have long been trusted by gardeners for high-quality, clean cuts. It has a carbon steel blade and aluminium handles.
This stackable tiered planter is ideal for growing strawberries, compact blueberries, and more. It has 4 tiers and 16 planting pockets.
If you have embarked on growing blueberries for the first time, read our guide on how to get a blueberry bush to fruit. There are a few tricks you can do to increase your yield.
If you love inspiring garden ideas, outdoor advice, and the latest news, why not sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox?
