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[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

I ordered this one yesterday. Three customers gave it five stars. $6.42 with 
shipping. 

I have used part peat, all peat, pine needles as mulch (later learned likely 
ineffective), normal mulch, sulfur, other acidifiers. Obviously I was growing 
blind. It will be interesting to see what the meter says has been created or 
maintained with the leaching due to watering.

Gene

On Jun 25, 2012, at 8:52 PM, Gloria M wrote:

> 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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>>>>>> 
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