I use the same Kellogg mix for my raised beds. It's composed of mostly forest products with not enough peat moss. Peat moss has an acidity of 5.5 which is acidic enough for blueberries. Pine bark mulch is also 5.5 but unless mixed into the soil, reducing the pH may be quite slow. Many nurseries and blueberry "experts" recommend using a mix of pine bark fines and peat moss. The pine bark will start breaking down though and can create unfavorable conditions for plants in the pot, more quickly in warmer/humid climates. Fortunately, blueberry roots don't go very deep so they should still be able to access oxygen. Adding things like pine needles and used coffee grounds has been debunked as a garden myth. You're correct about rainwater being better than municipal water as the former tends to be acidic and the latter alkaline. Keep adding soil acidifier or simple elemental sulfur into your containers and your blueberries should do fine. These amendments do take quite a while to be broken down into the actual "acid" by soil biomes, especially in cooler climates. Good luck!
Hi Tom! Enjoyed your video. I’m thinking of planting some blueberry bushes along the perimeter of my yard. I hear they get quite large. I wonder if they are susceptible to deer and other wildlife. I have a lot of deer, raccoons, opossum, and black bear.
I found that the rabbits love to eat the blueberry branches and stems during the winter. I got plenty of blueberries last year because I put fruit protection bags over each bush but that won't be practical once they get large. All the critters like blueberries.
@@NewEnglandgardening yeah, you’re right Tom. I’ll have to find someway to protect them like you did. I hear that it takes a while for them to start producing blueberries like maybe two years after you start them. Thanks!
Yay! First! Thanks as always Tom!
I use the same Kellogg mix for my raised beds. It's composed of mostly forest products with not enough peat moss. Peat moss has an acidity of 5.5 which is acidic enough for blueberries. Pine bark mulch is also 5.5 but unless mixed into the soil, reducing the pH may be quite slow. Many nurseries and blueberry "experts" recommend using a mix of pine bark fines and peat moss. The pine bark will start breaking down though and can create unfavorable conditions for plants in the pot, more quickly in warmer/humid climates. Fortunately, blueberry roots don't go very deep so they should still be able to access oxygen. Adding things like pine needles and used coffee grounds has been debunked as a garden myth. You're correct about rainwater being better than municipal water as the former tends to be acidic and the latter alkaline. Keep adding soil acidifier or simple elemental sulfur into your containers and your blueberries should do fine. These amendments do take quite a while to be broken down into the actual "acid" by soil biomes, especially in cooler climates. Good luck!
Blueberry bushes like coffee grounds
That’s good to know, because I’m always throwing out my coffee grounds in the yard. I drink quite a bit of coffee! Thanks, my friend!
Coffee grounds are highly acidic, great for acid loving plants like azaleas and blueberries
Pretty flowers ! The soil you put in the containers looks perfect.
Thank you!
I’m just shocked that this is your actual voice! I’m so used to your ASMR voice😂
Have used Rose&Gardenia&Azalea potting mix for my potted blueberries, pine bark mulch on top, and sprinkle in sulphur granules every year.
Hi Tom! Enjoyed your video. I’m thinking of planting some blueberry bushes along the perimeter of my yard. I hear they get quite large. I wonder if they are susceptible to deer and other wildlife. I have a lot of deer, raccoons, opossum, and black bear.
I found that the rabbits love to eat the blueberry branches and stems during the winter. I got plenty of blueberries last year because I put fruit protection bags over each bush but that won't be practical once they get large. All the critters like blueberries.
@@NewEnglandgardening yeah, you’re right Tom. I’ll have to find someway to protect them like you did. I hear that it takes a while for them to start producing blueberries like maybe two years after you start them.
Thanks!