North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Gregory Miller" <gsm_nafex@hotmail.com>]

I'd add the following comments to the blueberry discussion:

Mulching with newspaper as an underlayer to traditional organic mulches is 
very effective.  I did an unintentional trial when I didn't get around to 
mulching a full row of blueberries--otherwise identical in sun, water 
(regular drip irrigation) and fertilization (once at the start of the 
season.)  The mulched blueberries were more vigorous and had higher yields 
beginning the following year.

HOWEVER,

I'd be reluctant to apply the mulch in the fall, as a simillar situation 
(with baled straw that had become matted) in some blackberries produced a 
veritable rodent highway under the mulch when applied in the fall.  
Springtime applications seem to settle enough by fall.  I would also be 
careful if there is a question of maintaining the dampness of the newspaper, 
as it seems to make a good water barrier once it dries out.  I have drip 
irrigaiton under the paper, so that isn't a problem for me.  I apply ithe 
newspaper in the spring by first soaking it in a wheelbarrow filled with 
water.  This makes it very easy to mold and I can easily tear out a notch to 
fit it around the base of the bushes.  It also helps hold it in place if 
there is a slight breeze, or I don't get the mulch spread that day.

Despite starting with total weed removal, beginning the second year the 
weeds and grasses became more and more established, but then I wasn't 
renewing the mulch at those times.  The newspaper works great it suppressing 
what was a real problem with weed control.  By doing it in the spring, I 
have one more thing on my list to do, but I'd be worried about voles or mice 
girdling the bark if they had the ample protection offered by the newspaper.

Interestingly, gophers don't seem to bother the blueberries.  I've had their 
burrows go right throught a bed of blueberries without losing a single bush. 
 Maybe the fine roots aren't worth the bother to them.

Greg Miller
Spokane, WA
USDA Zone 5/6

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