| Gardening Basics: Strawberries and Blueberries |
| Berry basics, varieties and growing tips. |
From "Dirt On Gardening"
episode DDOG-104 |
|
|
(Continued from page )
Growing BlueberriesBlueberries are popular because they're beautiful, easy to grow and the berries taste great. They're also healthy to eat since they're one of nature's best sources of beneficial antioxidants. Consider planting early-bearing as well as late-bearing varieties so that you can enjoy them for longer periods through the year. Blueberry plants like acidic soil, so they're a good choice to plant alongside azaleas or rhododendron.
Types of BlueberriesThe three most popular varieties are:
'Earliblue' (early season),
'Bluecrop' (mid-season), and
'Coville' (late-cropping).
 |
'Sunshine' blueberries are a late-cropping variety, producing berries later in the spring.
|
|
Blueberry Growing TipsHere are some basics on growing blueberries. - Blueberries require a highly acid soil--with a pH range of 4 to 5.
- To ensure high productivity it's advisable to plant more than one variety of blueberries.
- If the dirt in your garden is neutral or alkaline, plan on working a good quantity of pine needles, acid peat, wood chips, and/or other acidic materials into the ground six months to a year before you set out your blueberries.
- Plant in early spring everywhere except late fall in California, and late winter in warmest southern areas.
- When blueberry bushes get "twiggy," the uppermost branches should be pruned back. This encourages the roots to develop more rapidly. Pruning will be needed again after about three years of growth as the plants become densely thicketed with twigs and side branches. Heavy pruning will stimulate new growth and encourage the early formation of larger-than-normal berries.
Regional Planting Tip: Blueberries Are Coming Up All Over!Most people think of blueberries as a northern or northwestern region plant. But now, with the cultivation of new varieties that thrive in warm climates, southern gardeners can enjoy growing blueberries too. Varieties that do well in southern climes include 'Blueray', 'Georgia Gem', 'Blue Moon', 'South Moon' and 'Jubilee'. Check with your local nursery or cooperative extension to find out what varieties of blueberries thrive best in your area. The key to successful growing is acid soil. Blueberry bushes do well in containers. A five-gallon container is ideal. For soil, use a mix of one part acidic soil-mix (e.g., a mix for azaleas or rhododendrons), one part peat and one part bark chips. Add a handful of soil sulfur. Place the pot in a sunny location and you should be enjoying blueberries--southern style--in no time. Blueberry Factoid: Blueberries won't ripen once they're picked.
| 
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.diynetwork.com/DIY/2006/04/07/ddog104_1cb_blueberries_e.jpg",350,450))
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.diynetwork.com/DIY/2006/04/07/ddog104_1ca_e.jpg",350,450))
