Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: Potterer on November 19, 2017, 18:55
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Hi I have previously grown these in pots but with a new allotment, I do have the option to plant them in the ground. Not sure how easy it would be to keeep the soil acidic as its a chalky area. Anyone have any advice or experience?
Thanks
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Have only grown them in very large pots, they do very well in those. Can't comment on growing in the ground though, sorry.
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I bought a pot grown blueberry plant it was in a 5 litre pot.
I planted it in the ground early summer time,it came with loads of flowers,i dug its hole put a small handful of ericaceous plant food,gave it a good watering and left the plant to it,also i never let it get very dry when the weather was hot.
Blueberry plants have to have the right type of soil,i know i should have teated the ph i never did.
The plant produced a good 2 handfuls of fruit,they were a nice taster for whats to come next summer.
I have never left any in pots,i have 2 more to plant out they are much younger plants.
This is what i have done others may have better idea's.
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Dig a large hole and line with a compost bag. Poke holes in the bottom. Fill with ericaceous soil and plant blueberry in that. Keep watered and fed. Cover the top of the soil with wood chips from deciduous trees.
This is what I do and my blueberries are growing and producing beautifully.
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Ah thanks. I think I would like to plant them in the ground and like the idea of lining the hole - also helping with the water needed. I can also put the ericaceous feed in to it.
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Thank you, this has helped me too as I’ve got two small plants waiting to go in too, was thinking I might plant at home as the garden grows pieris & rhododendrons well but really want them in the fruit cage at the plot😊
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Our only problem with growing them in the open ground, was trying to keep the couch grass out of the roots. (Same problem with raspberries),
We now have the four bushes in large pots, and while the buds were nipped by a late frost this year, and the crop was small, they're looking good for next year now.
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I have mine planted in a bath, sunk into the ground then filled with ericaceous compost, 3 in the bath and they have fruited very well for the last few years. Water with rainwater not tap water.
Bath without the plug in for drainage and some gravel in the bottom, but then it seems to keep just about right moisture to keep them happy :D