Time to Start Watering the Blueberries
With spring arriving, it’s time to begin caring for the community blueberry patches we planted a couple months ago in Forest Heights and Newtown.
I gathered instructions from Clyde Yates of Hungry Gnome Gardenscapes, who led the installation. But before I lay the out, I want to share information about how we planted the bushes. First, we tilled each bed 8 inches deep and long enough to separate the plants by 5 feet. Blueberries like soil that drains well and is slightly acidic. So we spread 3-4 inches of pine fines and an inch of peat moss. Then we ran the tiller again to mix the soil.
At this point, we also mixed in a granular, carbon-based fertilizer made from chicken poop that has balanced nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, as well as other micronutrients and 9 species of micro-rhizomes. These symbiotic fungal organisms give minerals from the soil to the roots of plants in exchange for carbohydrates that plants create through photosynthesis.
After preparing the beds, we planted the blueberries, doing our best to spread their roots and secure them firmly in place. Each plant received an immediate feeding of liquid fertilizer with a root stimulating growth hormone, as well as chelated iron and humic acid to kickstart the microbial ecosystem for healthy soil.
Watering Instructions for Hosts and Volunteers
Watering the blueberry bushes is most important in the first 1-2 years. After that, when the bushes are hardy, they will likely only need watering once a week during the hottest time of the year, between May and September.
Currently, while the bushes are still young, they need watering 1-2 times a week in the spring and fall, depending on how much rain we’ve had. They will need watering 1-3 times a week during the heart of summer.
To determine whether or not watering is needed, feel down through the much to the soil at the base of a plant. (The irrigation system is set up to put water only within six inches of the bush.) If the soil isn’t moist, the plants need water.
The simplest watering method will be to run a hose from the outdoor spigot of the host house and attach it to the drip irrigation system we installed with each patch. NOTE: THE FIRST TIME YOU RUN THE IRRIGATION, ONLY TURN THE SPIGOT ½ TURN AND OBSERVE THE SYSTEM TO ENSURE THAT NONE OF THE EMITTERS POP OFF THE IRRIGATION HOSE. Run the drip irrigation for 20 minutes for each watering. (Set a timer so you don’t forget!)
In Review…
Finger-check soil regularly for moistness.
Run drip irrigation for 20 minutes.
YEARS 1-2
March-April: water 1-2 times a week
May-September: water 1-3 times a week
October: water 1-2 times a week
BEYOND YEAR 2
May-September: water 1 time a week
Additional Care
We laid down a thick layer of mulch to reduce the need for watering and weeding, but we will still need to pull weeds as they come up, especially with turf grass surrounding many of the patches. Anyone walking by a blueberry patch should feel free to stop and pull a few weeds and toss them onto the mulch.
The patches will NOT need any fertilizing this spring or summer. We will fertilize based on plant health beginning next fall or spring.
If you notice any patches that are need of care, please reach out to Bart or Clyde, or ask the host if you can pitch in to help. In Forest Heights, Bart is also starting a walking/hiking group to get exercise, visit with neighbors and regularly inspect the different patches. More on that soon!
