If there is one plant that enjoys living near pines, it is the blueberry. Two summers ago I built a small raised bed, 1.2 by 2.4 metres, at the sunniest end of the garden and planted three highbush bushes: 'Duke', 'Bluecrop' and 'Chandler'.
The soil mix
Roughly half ericaceous compost, a quarter composted bark and a quarter of the old sandy soil, with a thick layer of pine needles on top. The target was pH 4.5 to 5.5. The first test came out at 5.2, and it has stayed there.
Year two
- 'Duke' ripened first, in the last week of June, and gave the most fruit.
- 'Bluecrop' is the most vigorous — it needs a light prune this winter.
- 'Chandler' has the biggest berries but is still catching up.
Total so far is a little over two kilos, which is modest, but most of it went straight from bush to breakfast.
Lessons
Rainwater only: our tap water is hard and the leaves yellowed slightly the one dry week I used it. A net is essential — the blackbirds found the first ripe berries before I did. And do not skip removing flowers in the first year; it really does help the roots.