Blueberry question! Hello Im brand new to this site!

Jonathan 2/21/2014, 5:02 pm

Hi I read All New Square foot gardening thoroughly and will be attempting my first garden this spring...
Is it possible to grow a blueberry bush via this method?
I have a blueberry bush in a large pot from last season.... I love blueberries and want to know the most effective way to grow them and how to take care of them properly.
Any advice will be welcomed!
Blueberries are one of the best anti oxidants in the world and they also happen to taste great!
Thank you in Advance
Jonathan

Marc Iverson 2/21/2014, 6:49 pm

You'll need to acidify your Mel's Mix or else buy already acidified soil, which is widely available. Blueberries thrive in quite acidic soil, the type few vegetables do well in. Even if vegetables survive in such acidic soil, they will have problems with nutrient uptake. But blueberries are well-adapted to it.

You may do well to consider the benefits of things that enhance soil structure and water or air retention, like vermiculite and perlite. My understanding is that they are biologically neutral. They help MM and they might help an acid soil mix as well, depending on its composition. You might want to check out your local university's agricultural extension program for more specific advice, including which blueberries are best adapted to your area.

littlejo 2/22/2014, 2:28 pm

Hi Jonathan
Welcome to SFG and the forum!
I don't know what area of the country/world you are in. I'm in South Carolina. The normal soil here is acidic somewhat. When I planted my blueberries, I dug a hole for the bush, then I mixed peat moss and compost to put back in the hole. I didn't add the vermiculite, for it is good in the beds, but it is for keeping the soil/mm workable. But since you shouldn't move the bush. Plant, then pile pine needles, pine mulch, acidic stuff under bush for mulch and you're good to go, unless your normal ground is very alkaline, then you may have to get something to help keep it acidic.
My blueberries are budding out!
Jo

treefrog62 3/10/2014, 1:51 pm

Hi Jo,
I noticed that my blueberry bush is also budding out now (in NC), and now I'm concerned that I waited too long to prune. I thought I read somewhere to prune in the spring, but if it's started to bud, is pruning now going to be bad? I've only had this bush for a couple of years, and I pruned it once in the fall, I think after the first year.

littlejo 3/10/2014, 5:58 pm

Since you waited too late(for it is budding out,yea) prune after berries come off, which may be in the fall. I always prune after berries come off because, (fertilize too) I cannot seem to catch the last of winter. Here we had an ice storm, and had 70deg days in the same week! Jo

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Blueberry question! Hello Im brand new to this site!

Blueberry question! Hello Im brand new to this site!

Re: Blueberry question! Hello Im brand new to this site!

Re: Blueberry question! Hello Im brand new to this site!

When to prune?

Re: Blueberry question! Hello Im brand new to this site!

Re: Blueberry question! Hello Im brand new to this site!


	Hello Guest! Welcome to the official Square Foot Gardening Forum. There's lots to learn here by reading as a guest. However, if you become a member (it's free, ad free and spam-free) you'll have access to our large vermiculite databases, our seed exchange spreadsheets, Mel's Mix calculator, and many more members' pictures in the Gallery. Enjoy.