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  • From: Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>
  • To: homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [Homestead] Blueberries
  • Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2012 16:21:07 -0500

Gloria, yes on the soil tests. I used to have a soil test kit but I have been
sliding for decades, largely correct in believing that all the organic
materials we add to the garden beds extends the pH range. Blueberries may
well be the exception. I need to spend more time studying what's available;
on Amazon the lower-priced kits tend to have poor customer ratings and the
higher-priced ones are way too high.

Gene

On Jun 25, 2012, at 11:36 AM, Gloria M wrote:

> 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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