Here are the planting and general care information we send with each order
Larry and Jenny Martin
8080 Subtle Road
Edmonton, Ky. 42129
home phone ( 270 ) 432-5836
E-Mail a61853@scrtc.com
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
When you receive your blueberry bushes please note the variety in each bundle for future reference.
Your blueberry bushes have been packaged bare root with the root system wrapped in damp paper toweling then bagged in plastic to hold in moisture during shipment. The leaves on your blueberry bushes may have wilted during shipment but do not be alarmed, they are fine and will suffer no lasting effects (if dormant no leaves will be present). Remove your blueberry bushes from the wrappings taking care not to damage the roots or plant stems and place the roots in cool water for 2 to 4 hours in a shaded area.
If you need to hold the plants for a few days prior to planting then pack the roots lightly in wet peat moss, make sure the root system is completely covered with the damp peat moss and keep it damp until you have them planted, exposed roots can cause undue stress and may cause the death of the plant.
When you are ready to plant please inspect the base of the plant right above the root system and notice the change in the stem between it and the root system, this is where you should make your soil line when planting, it need not be exact but close.
IF YOUR PH IS CORRECT : Dig a hole large enough to put in 2 or 3 gallons of wet peat moss to put your plant in, this will give your plant the ideal soil to begin its growing and lesson or eliminate transplant shock.
IF YOUR PH IS NOT CORRECT : Then you may want to correct it using aluminum sulfate, sulfur or another sulfur or sulfate product as per directions on the package. Also you will want to dig a much larger hole, up to 2 feet square and fill it with peat moss to plant your blueberry bush in.
You will occasionally want to check the ph of the soil in the area in which your blueberry bushes are planted and adjust as necessary. It is extremely important you have the correct PH or your plants may not grow, show poor growth or die. Blueberry bushes require a PH of 4.5 to 5.5. It is also extremely important that you water them every day the first year unless it has rained that day, for areas that receive snow you need not water while snow is on the ground. You can mulch with wood chips, rotted saw dust or compost to retain moisture. We recommend feeding with a product such as Miracle Grow Mir Acid as per instructions on their label.
GENERAL CARE INFORMATION
Blueberries require a PH of 4.5 to 5.5 (acidic) and a high moisture content, mulching with organic material, peat moss, sawdust, wood chips, pine needles or decomposed leaves is excellent. Blueberries should be watered often, but over watering for extended periods of time may be harmful, if the top inch is damp you're OK. Blueberries are shallow rooted & should not be cultivated, keep the area around the bushes mowed for attractive appearance & ease of picking.
New plantings should be fertilized with a water soluble slow release fertilizer and should be watched carefully for lack of water. If your plants don't grow well or produce as they should check the soil acidity and nutrients. To grow and produce well the must have the right soil conditions.
Pruning is necessary to remove dead or broken branches & thin brushy wood that is growing from the base of the bush, removing the old stems that have lost their vigor encourages new shoots/canes and is done to canes that are 6 years of age or older. It is the 3 to 5 year old canes that produce the bulk of the fruit. Pruning should be done in the fall or winter when plants are dormant.
Blueberries are attractive, green in summer, beautiful flowers arriving prior to fruiting followed by delicious blueberries & in fall turning brilliant shades of red. They make nice hedges, landscape groups & backyard gardening. Highly profitable for commercial growers they take 5 to 7 years to reach full production. Plant 6 ft apart and 6 ft from fences etc., the bushes reach on average 6 ft tall & 6 ft across.
Blueberries are healthy for you, they are rated highest in antioxidants in the top 20 fruits & vegetables. In general blueberries are one of the richest sources of antioxidant phytonutrients of all fresh fruits & vegetables, consumption of 1/2 cup of blueberries a day will increase ORAC intake by as much as 1 - 3.2 mmol depending on the variety & maturity of the blueberry. Antioxidant capacity doesn't change during storage. Since it has been suggested that dietary antioxidants such as nthocyanin flavonoids have positive health benefits and blueberries average over 20 ORAC units per gram of fruit it seems they would be good for you. With a serving size of 280g or 1 pint blueberries have 160 calories but no calories from fat. Total fat 0g is 0%, Saturated Fat 0g is 0%, Cholesterol Omg is 0% , Sodium 0mg is 0%, Total Carbohydrate 19g is 6%, Dietary Fiber 5g is 20%, Sugars 9g is 2 0% and Protein 1g . Vitamin C is 15%.USDA researchers have identified blueberries as the top defender for body cells against free radicals which cause aging and diseases in the body among the top 20 fruits and vegetables studied.