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Garden Gate:  Blueberry Blues....  |
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Bee Haven Maven
True Blue Farmgirl
1862 Posts
Beverly
Pennsylvania
USA
1862 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 10 2007 : 05:04:51 AM
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Hey gals....anybody with experience with blueberries. There were 5 bushes on our farm when we bought it and they are delicious.....so we ordered 100 blueberry plants to plant this spring. Seems we never get enough blueberries. Does anyone know if it would be a problem to dig horse manure (composted) into the ground when planting them? We had to add acidifier to the ground because the PH was too high...so, will manure be a problem or a benefit??
Keep Smiling.....Bev
Bee Haven Acres
http://beehavenacres.blogspot.com/ |
Edited by - Bee Haven Maven on Apr 10 2007 08:47:07 AM |
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ThymeForEweFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
705 Posts
Robin
An organic farm in the forest in
Maine
USA
705 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2007 : 07:45:10 AM
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When you add compost to a hole it discourages the roots from spreading outside that hole. You can add a little but in this case, too much of a good thing can cause a small root base.
Robin
www.outdoorwriter.wordpress.com
www.thymeforewe.com
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AliShuShu
True Blue Farmgirl
150 Posts
Alison
Charlotte
NC
USA
150 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2007 : 09:18:53 AM
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where did you order your blueberry bushes/plants from? does anybody else have any suggestions? we want to plant some blueberry bushes as well as blackberry & raspberry bushes... any suggestions on those? and what about time to harvest? it seems i remember hearing that it would take a few years before getting fruit when you plant berry bushes... is this true?
thank you in advance!!!
Alison
'Be the change you want to see in the world' ~ Namaste'
www.shumusings.com |
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Bee Haven Maven
True Blue Farmgirl
1862 Posts
Beverly
Pennsylvania
USA
1862 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2007 : 10:59:52 AM
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It is true, Alison that it takes a couple of years before harvest of berries. You need to let the plant establish itself in the first year....letting all of it's energy to into production of plant, not fruit. We have old blackberry and raspberry plants that did well and we added to them last year. So this coming summer should be a harvest of that fruit. We ordered blureberries from Indiana Berry Company.
Keep Smiling.....Bev
Bee Haven Acres
http://beehavenacres.blogspot.com/ |
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asnedecor
True Blue Farmgirl
1054 Posts
Anne
Portland
Or
USA
1054 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2007 : 2:53:44 PM
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On blueberries for at least the first two years, depending on their size, you should strip the blossoms so that the bush uses its energy in growth, not berry production. Then the first year you want to have berries, prune the bush in the early spring - anything that is dead or if you have a bunch of small "prickly" branches growing on the inside of the bush around the base. What you want is a clean inside on the plant - no one wants to reach in and try and pick a berry. Regular pruning every spring will keep the bush healthy and provide large berries.
Here is some information from the web.
It is important to know the anatomy of a blueberry bush before attempting to prune blueberries. During the fourth year, the dormant plants should be pruned in mid-March. At this time, remove dead and weak branches and thin, terminal wood with small buds. Prune interior crossing branches to admit light to the center of the plant.
Anne in Portland
"Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them" Eyeore from Winnie the Pooh
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Edited by - asnedecor on Apr 10 2007 3:48:35 PM |
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Bee Haven Maven
True Blue Farmgirl
1862 Posts
Beverly
Pennsylvania
USA
1862 Posts |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2007 : 09:50:10 AM
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Alison,
I recently ordered 10 raspberry plants from Johnny's Select Seed. After being in the ground for a week the leaves are starting to come out! It's so exciting.
But as with the blueberries, there's much I too need to be more famillar with.
If the raspberries are a success, I may try a few blueberries. Good luck with yours! |
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Bee Haven Maven
True Blue Farmgirl
1862 Posts
Beverly
Pennsylvania
USA
1862 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2007 : 7:07:00 PM
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I planted 9 grape vines today for table grapes (juice and jelly). It has been so very cold here....I am holding my breath until I see signs of life....cannot wait till a leaf appears! What a long winter in PA!
Keep Smiling.....Bev
Bee Haven Acres
http://beehavenacres.blogspot.com/ |
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Garden Gate: Blueberry Blues.... |
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Blueberry Blues....
