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  • From: Gloria M <gloriamorris59 AT gmail.com>
  • To: homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [Homestead] Blueberries
  • Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2012 11:36:43 -0500

I know you know this, but soil tests are really important. I have a fairly
inexpensive soil pH tester. It is a good investment to keep plants healthy.
A cheap alternative is pH strips (but they are single use). You can't know
what (or how much of it) to add if you don't know where you are starting
from. My first suggestion would be to test your soil.

I do water my plants as needed, as the sandy soil dries out fast. It does
not hold water like your clay, even though I have it heavily amended with
organic matter. Fortunately, the replenishing aquifer is only a short way
down and thus pumping costs are low. This year we're in a bit of a drought
and I've had to water more than normal.

Gloria

On Sun, Jun 24, 2012 at 5:29 AM, Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com> wrote:

> 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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> >>
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> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
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> >>
> >>
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> >>
> >>
> >>
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
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> >
> >
> >
>
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>
>




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