[dead eye dave]

Hi
I have six berry bushes in large pots (2 blacks, 2 rasps, 1 goose, 1 redcurrant) that I want to transplant into the ground as permanent bushes and may add afew more that i might buy. They are obvioulsy dormant at the moment having been cut back a few months ago. Just wondering when the best time to so this is (the ground up here is a bit unfrozen at the moment, thought it might be a good opportunity to do the do)
Any advice welcome, thanks
Dave

[mumofstig]

as long as your soil isn't frozen you can plant them now

[VirginVegGrower]

Just done my currants

[GrannieAnnie]

I think bushes are like trees, November to March best time weather permitting, but sometimes, if its necessary, you can transplant at other times, just keep watering them well.

We did a rather large buddleia in August in 2004, and the person who dug it up for us, cut off the big tap root, we thought it wouldn't take, but it did!

[Benandbill]

We've just bought 2 brand new blueberry bushes from a pound shop nearby.  We're wondering whether to plant them in the garden in pots or down the allotment.  We were told you should always have 2 bushes for 'cross pollination' but not sure if this is supposed to be 2 different varieties of fruit.  If so we can do as we already have a blackcurrant bush down the allotments.

[savbo]

We've just bought 2 brand new blueberry bushes from a pound shop nearby.  We're wondering whether to plant them in the garden in pots or down the allotment.  We were told you should always have 2 bushes for 'cross pollination' but not sure if this is supposed to be 2 different varieties of fruit.  If so we can do as we already have a blackcurrant bush down the allotments.

not 2 different 'varieties' i.e. species of fruit, but 2 different varieties of blueberry. If yours are both from same shop odds on they're same variety? You might be advised to get one other variety.We have 6... the mail order people like Parkers do 3 varieties for not a lot of money...
Some closely related species of berries DO cross but that's usally the realm of the specialist grower...

[VirginVegGrower]

We've just bought 2 brand new blueberry bushes from a pound shop nearby.  We're wondering whether to plant them in the garden in pots or down the allotment.  We were told you should always have 2 bushes for 'cross pollination' but not sure if this is supposed to be 2 different varieties of fruit.  If so we can do as we already have a blackcurrant bush down the allotments.

Depends on your soil as they need gritty acidic soil. You must always water with rainwater too if you have hard water area.
Mine are in a very large pot filled with ericaceous compost at home. Net against birds too! Two different varieties are what I have - not sure whether this is a must too. We had good juicy berries last year. What variety/ies do you have?

[JohnB47]

We've just bought 2 brand new blueberry bushes from a pound shop nearby.  We're wondering whether to plant them in the garden in pots or down the allotment.  We were told you should always have 2 bushes for 'cross pollination' but not sure if this is supposed to be 2 different varieties of fruit.  If so we can do as we already have a blackcurrant bush down the allotments.

I believe that you don't necessarily need to have more than one type of blueberry bush to ensure good pollination - quite a few are described as not needing this. If you know the variety, have a Google around - you'll soon see whether you need more or not. I have one bush each of three varieties but each one is described as being OK on it's own as regards polination. I just wanted three different types! I just did a quick search and found this:

http://www.dorset-blueberry.com/advice.html

[Benandbill]

Nice one John, that's really useful!!

[johnfh]

Agree, excellent info,  thanks.

[JohnB47]

You're both very welcome.