Anyone with experience with Blueberry bushes in GA

[Lanshark]

I live in a suburb of Atlanta and want to plant some blueberry bushes this year. Does anyone have experience with this?

 

[Snowwark]

Welcome to the F&G board, Marcie.

The only experience I have with blueberries involves picking them and devouring them. I had no idea that Georgia produced such a large blueberry crop. I always think....peaches.

Here's a link with some info on growing blueberries in Georgia.



Home Garden Blueberries

Any southern blueberry gardeners with some tips for Marcie?

 

[Lanshark]

Thanks Snowwark

I did some research on the net yesterday and found some good information. Being from Indiana originally I didn't realize that Georgia was such a big blueberry state. I have a great spot in my yard that gets tons of sun that I would like to plant. My main concern is the red clay and whether I need to "loosen" it up a bit with some peat moss before I plant. I don't exactly have a green thumb so I wanted to minimize mistakes.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Being originally from NJ a great blueberry growing state, I tried to grow some when we lived in Bucks County PA, just across the Delaware. I planted the types that would pollenate each other, got the berries, BUT, the birds would get the berries as soon as any little bit of color came to the berry! It was sad for me, similar things have happened to me with strawberries, but it was much worse with blueberries. SOOOO, DH and I bought a net to cover the bushes, but some of the birds got their wings caught, and I could not live with that. In the end, I bought the berries from u-pick stands.

Good luck Lanshark!!!

Bobbi

 

[marydmjj]

We have the same problem with birds and our cherries, apples & blueberries. I don't care though. I just like seeing the fruit grow and am happy to buy the fruit at the store.

 

[olena]

Hi Marcie!

I would use the peat moss. The clay gets so heavy sometimes. I have to enrich many of my flower beds with something.

 

[Lanshark]

Hey Heather,

We're going to borrow a tiller from a friend. Do you just put the peat moss down and then till it into the soil?

It's a bit early but I need some heavy manual labor for my 13 year old to earn some money so I thought it could be productive for both of us. He wants to grow some hot peppers which I assume all animals will leave alone.

 

[olena]

Hard labor, eh? Does he hire out?

I'd just churn the peat moss in, but I'm simple. If it gets worked in, it will loosen the soil and give your roots plenty of room and ease to spread out.....