Homestead mailing list

[Gloria M <gloriamorris59 AT gmail.com>]

Yes, blueberries really do need acidic soil. My pH meter is older, but it
is similar to this and has been adequate for my needs:

https://www.jungseed.com/dp.asp?pID=51326&c=607&p=Digital+Ph+Meter

On Mon, Jun 25, 2012 at 4:21 PM, Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com> wrote:

> 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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