Blueberries in the ground?

[helensusan]

I've got 5 different blueberry plants, all of which are in pots. Has anyone had success with planting them in the ground as I am aware that they prefer acid soil (ours is only marginally acid). I need to offload too much pot watering this summer as I'm not going to be around every weekend. Any advice for success?

Many thanks.

[veggiechicken]

I grow mine in the ground without a problem http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ies_66886.html

[sammy_roser]

You can grow them in the ground so long as you remember to treat them to some acidity every year.

Did a fairly large hole, fill with ericaceous compost mixed with your normal soil and feed with a rhododendron or Azealia feed in the spring.

Also a mulch of rotting pine needles in the autumn are good for them.

[DuncanM]

Mine are in the ground. I dug an area about 40-50cm deep, lined it with the compost bags (I was about to empty) pierced a few holes in the bags. This both helps keep the area slightly wetter than normal (blueberries like being damp) and prevents too many nutrients from draining away. I then filled the hole with the Ericaceous (acid) compost. I've added spent coffee grounds to some of them and it seems to be doing them wonders. I've mulched with standard bark chippings - I would have used pine needles if I could get hold of any.

[Edith]

Really helpful and timely thread for me. I've just moved ten blueberries up to the allotment, from my previous allotment around and about. Never had much success with them and I think its because previously I was gardening on a very heavy clay soil which paradoxically did not retain moisture well when the sun was out. I actually have a huge pine at the end of the plot so I'll use pine needles from it to mulch

[helensusan]

Thanks all for the advice. Feel more confident now about transplanting to permanent bed.

[Two_Sheds]

Has anyone had success with planting them in the ground

Ours are in pots, sunk in the soil. That keeps them in the ericaceous compost, but keeps them a bit damper for longer, being in the ground

[Aberdeenplotter]

mine are in the ground and have been for the last five years, six this year. Took them a long time to establish but they are thriving now.

[Madasafish]

Mine are in the ground - oldest 10 + years. Clay: lots of leaf mould and an annual ericaceous liquid fertiliser.

Very damp clay.

No problems - except blackbirds.

[binley100]

Mine are in cut down blue barrels sunk into the ground(no bottoms on them) filled with a mix of ericacious and bark chippings

[Alison]

I have them in the ground at home and on the plot. Basically if you can grow azaleas and the like then you don't need much prep but if not then some of the advice above will help.

[Edith]

I'm wondering whether ground cover might be a good idea. I've sown nasturiums and am going to try poached egg plant, round mine, both seem tolerant of acid conditions.

[rita1]

Mine are in the ground. I dug an area about 40-50cm deep, lined it with the compost bags (I was about to empty) pierced a few holes in the bags. This both helps keep the area slightly wetter than normal (blueberries like being damp) and prevents too many nutrients from draining away. I then filled the hole with the Ericaceous (acid) compost. I've added spent coffee grounds to some of them and it seems to be doing them wonders. I've mulched with standard bark chippings - I would have used pine needles if I could get hold of any.

that's what i am going to do with my pink blueberry plants when they arrive, i have found a corner of the garden where i have sleepers, i think they will be happy there.

[LisaG]

I tried growing blueberries in pots for years and they just struggled and I did not get substantial crops. . As our soil is heavy fen clay and not acid enough, we dug a deep bed, lined it with paving slabs and filled it with ericaceous compost. They love it! I get large crops of tasty fruits every year. Just give them acid feed, lots of (rain, not tap) water and they will thrive.

[Two_Sheds]

I've just realised that the two 3ft high bushes round the lotty noticeboard are blueberries. They're not only in the ground (alkaline soil), but the soil isn't more than 5" deep