[HilltopDaisy]

We're having an awful snow/freezing rain storm here in NY. I'm so sick of winter I could scream. So, I went ahead and ordered ten blueberry bushes from Finch's Nursery. They are delivered UPS in April, when we'll probably still have a foot of snow on the ground. The woman there told me to heel them in a pile of mulch until I can plant them properly.

I know that blueberries like well-drained, acidic soil, and full sun. Any other tips you'd care to give me? I'm in zone 4/5, so I ordered northern highbush--Bluecrop, Blueray, Duke and Jersey.

 

[Peg]

Oooh, I'm jealous! I can just taste those blueberry pancakes now!

As far as tips, I know they don't like to be messed with much (have their soil disturbed). I was able to grow some lettuce inbetween mine- when I lived in the NW and had the bushes.

Have fun!
Peg

 

[gobug]

I've been thinking of ordering some also, never grew them before.

Do you need to protect the plants from deer?

How critical is the soil pH?

 

[Guest]

Acidic soil is important, plant near softwoods (evergreens).

Deer will eat them in winter, some blueberry farmers are using goats in the Fall to nibble bushes down instead of burning barrens and risking wildfires.