Grow your own fruit: organic blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, redcurrant, grape and fig plants in 13 cm pots, plus indoor citrus trees. Autumn and early spring are the best times to plant, with free tracked delivery across Ireland and 24 more EU countries.
Organic berry plants and indoor citrus
The berry, grape and fig plants in this collection are sold as organic plants from SKAL-certified growers in the Netherlands. SKAL is the Dutch control body for EU organic production. They arrive as young plants in 13 cm pots, which establish faster than bare-root canes. The lemon and calamondin trees are conventionally grown indoor citrus plants, not organic. We've included them because they're our most popular fruiting plants.
When to plant fruit bushes in Ireland
Plant berry bushes in autumn (October–November) or early spring (February–April), when the soil is moist and the plants are dormant or just waking up. Pot-grown plants can go in at other times too, as long as you water them through dry spells in their first summer.
Growing guide: spacing, soil and harvest
| Fruit | Spacing | Soil and position | Harvest | Hardy in Ireland? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) | 1–1.5 m apart | Acid soil only (pH 4.5–5.5), or a large pot of ericaceous compost; water with rainwater | July–September | Yes |
| Raspberry (Rubus idaeus) | 40–50 cm apart, rows 1.5–2 m apart | Moist, well-drained soil, sun or light shade; tie canes to wires | Summer or autumn, depending on variety | Yes |
| Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) | 2–3 m apart | Any reasonable soil; train along a fence or wires | August–September | Yes |
| Redcurrant (Ribes rubrum) | 1.2–1.5 m apart | Tolerates some shade and a north-facing wall | July | Yes |
| Grape vine (Vitis vinifera) | 1.5 m apart | The warmest south-facing wall you have, or a greenhouse | September–October in a good summer | Yes, but needs warmth to ripen |
| Fig (Ficus carica) | One per spot | Sunny, sheltered wall; restrict the roots (a large pot works well) for more fruit | August–September | Mostly; protect young plants in hard frost |
| Lemon and calamondin | — | Bright window indoors; can summer outside, bring in before frost | Fruits on and off through the year | No, keep above about 5–10°C |
Frequently asked questions
Do blueberries grow in Irish soil?
Only if your soil is acidic, as in peaty or heathland areas. Most Irish garden soils are neutral to alkaline, so the easiest route is a large pot (40 cm or more) filled with ericaceous compost and watered with rainwater. Tap water in hard-water areas gradually raises the pH.
Do I need more than one plant for fruit?
Raspberries, blackberries, redcurrants, grapes and common figs are self-fertile, so a single plant will fruit. Blueberries will fruit on their own but crop better with two or more plants flowering at the same time. That's why they're sold in packs of three or more.
How soon will I get fruit?
Raspberries and blackberries often give a small crop in their first or second summer. Blueberries, redcurrants and figs usually take two to three years to crop well. Grapes need a sunny position and a good summer to ripen outdoors in Ireland.
What's in the mixed starter sets?
The starter sets combine three to five different fruit plants in one order, so you can try several crops at once. Each product page lists exactly what's included.
Read our full guide to growing organic fruit in Ireland, or browse edible garden plants.