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[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

Gloria, thanks for the update. As soon as Marie referenced you I immediately 
remembered you. Maybe it is the M last initial. Who knows. Glad you are still 
here and living as homesteady as possible.

Your note that your blueberries only get a half day of sun is instructive to 
me. I am thinking that half-sun reduces their need for so much water. Of 
course our soils are different, mine is clay, but the garden is much modified 
with organic additions over many years. Sulphur may also be part of my 
problem--too much or too little. Hard to know dosage with young plants.

Interesting about vinegar. I detest poisons but also hate summer bugs that 
try to feast on me. Just before I go outside in the morning I slop vinegar on 
my head bandana, beard, neck, all exposed skin, and that helps a lot, 
although shorter term than poison repellents. Also I am recycling my old 
long-sleeved white dress shirts; they protect arm skin from UV rays and bugs 
and also reflect summer sun heat.

Gene


On Jun 23, 2012, at 5:19 PM, Gloria M wrote:

> I've been around the homestead list for many, many years. But mostly I
> lurk. From time to time I post, but probably a couple of times per year on
> average. And I bet I go several years sometimes between posts.
> 
> I live in Central Illinois - not a great many miles from Marie McHarry,
> another member here. Hi, Marie!!
> 
> I'm on 2.5 acres. I love gardening (Master Gardener with lapsed
> certification), have some chickens, and raise various fruits, including the
> blueberries. Other fruits we have: cherries, raspberries, highbush
> cranberries, elderberries, strawberries. I used to have goats, but sold
> them when I took a new job that was taking up a vast amount of time -
> meaning milking was not possible. Eventually I would like to have dairy
> production again. I also have horses, but I don't count those as
> homesteading - they are very large pets that produce compost material. :)
> 
> We are not self-sufficient. I do not earn a living off the homestead (hence
> the job). But I enjoy homesteading activities and raising some of our food.
> So we are more homesteading-lite.
> 
> I also like canning, making yogurt and soft cheeses (that sort of fun is on
> hold while we are goat-less), fiber arts (spinning, knitting, crochet,
> weaving), and tackling various DIY projects around the house and property
> (running a water line to the barn, building a milking stand, etc.). At one
> point I raised sheep, and I may again. I also kept bees, but have not for
> some years - my significant other is extremely allergic to bee stings.
> 
> Right now I am up to my elbows in house fix-its. We are trying to get the
> house ready to sell so that we can move closer to my job. Once we move, I
> will have more free time and can once again consider dairy (and possibly
> sheep).
> 
> I give the blueberries a sulfur based soil acidifier once per year. I also
> give them some compost in addition. The sulfur is not OMRI listed, but I
> can't afford to do everything 100% organic. What I strive for is to use
> things that are either organic or at least not BAD. I avoid insecticides. I
> avoid herbicides (other than vinegar - I did some early research with
> vinegar as an herbicide and wrote up my findings on an organic list).
> 
> Where I live now is sand - like sand-dune sand. I used to live on clay. Not
> sure what is next for me to garden. :)
> 
> Gloria
> 
> On Mon, Jun 18, 2012 at 7:50 PM, Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com> wrote:
> 
>> 
>> On Jun 17, 2012, at 3:58 PM, Gloria M wrote:
>> 
>>> I'm not Lisa, but I'm here (lurk infrequently to see if anyone posted
>>> anything). I raise blueberries - have for several years and am getting
>>> fruit now. I have mine planted where they get half day sun and they seem
>>> pretty happy. I amended the soil with peat at planting and added
>> acidifier
>>> even though my soil is on the acid side. So far, so good. I'd be happy to
>>> try to help you figure out what's wrong if you'd like.
>>> 
>> Hi, Gloria M. How long have you been here? Sorry if I should remember you.
>> Please remind, or tell us where you are and what you do in the homestead
>> realm.
>> 
>> What and how often do you feed your blueberries?
>> 
>> Gene
>> 
>>> 
>>> On Sun, Jun 17, 2012 at 2:52 PM, Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>
>> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> Lisa Perry, you still here?
>>>> 
>>>> With substantially-home-produced goodies, we just consumed a fine meal.
>>>> For accoustical ambience I selected Scott's album, 8 Miles to
>> Perryville.
>>>> Which of course reminded me of you. Which reminded me of your
>> substantial
>>>> blueberry experience. I am very close to throwing up my hands and
>> admitting
>>>> apple and blueberry production failure, due partly to more items on my
>> menu
>>>> than time to enjoy them--the inevitable time challenges, the
>> environmental
>>>> conditions here in this part of the Ozarks, and the knowledge that we
>> can
>>>> buy good, organically grown fruit at somewhat reasonable prices.
>>>> 
>>>> As I move through geezerhoodism, I am more and more skeptical of the
>>>> proclamations of food producers. So, yeah, I ever more prefer to grow my
>>>> own.
>>>> 
>>>> We have thus far this year gorged on strawberries, cherries, and now
>>>> boysenberries. The blue fruit did not make it. But before I give up on
>>>> blueberries, I solicit you advice.
>>>> 
>>>> Gene GeRue
>>>> www.ruralize.com
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
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