Somewhere above there was a mention of bean transplants and while it is possible to carefully do that it doesn't really work well... rhizobia aren't usually in the potting media and adding too much N to the biosphere will prevent them from colonizing and nodulating the roots. You will get foliage but no flower or fruit with all that excess N. The do sell soil innoculant, which i recommend adding to any new bed if you haven't got a compost bin to add your own microbes. It's not just the nutrients you need to worry about, it's the microbiome. Soil bacteria break down sulfur to lower the ph and allow micronutrients to be absorbed by root hairs. Others break down phosphorus and make it soluble for plants. Some fix N. Some just secrete enzymes that degrade oomycete pathogens like phytopthera. Some produce plant growth regulators and help with root hair growth and stomatal conductance. Others prime plant immune systems so they are able to defend themselves rapidly when pathogens attack.

Hello TGibson, Sulfite,is that Sulfur?If it is Sulfur,a yellowish powder or granule,it can be put on about once a year,about a couple tablespoons per plant,mixed gently into the soil surface.It may take about that long to see results though,as the microbes change it to Sulfuric acid. It is a good idea to see what the actual soil pH is,by way of a soil test or an accurate meter. It will probably make a difference to pull the berries off the first couple of years,so that the plant can grow more in roots and leaves.Not so much fun on our part. Bumblebees are usually the most common pollinators of Blueberries and they will fly a good distance between plants. Strawberries also like an acid soil.I'm not sure about Raspberries. I also have a Pink Lemonade Blueberry plant,that I picked up early this Spring and it is growing like a weed.It only has a few berries though,which I'm eager to try. What is your soil amended with?I use Pine bark mulch and Moss Peat.About 70/30 mix. I'm going to close with the words that the man who welcomed me on this forum a little over a year ago, when I announced my intentions to grow them."Blueberries are the easiest things to grow until their not".Have fun and I hope they do really well. Brady

This is evidently still an interesting topic. I almost never call my DS or DIL. I told them at the beginning of their marriage that I would love to hear from them -- whenever they want to call me. (I had an intrusive MIL.) They married one another, not me. With two grammar school age kids and work, they are BUSY. I only hope they have time to talk to one another! (DIL's family is not intrusive either.) DIL never calls me, but will sometimes email me. DS will call every 4 - 6 weeks. He sometimes uses speaker phone so we can chat with the whole family. DIL and I will chat for half an hour if *I* ask to speak with her individually. DH and I love to hear from them, but we have all the time in the world. They don't. It's good to have 'ties that bind' as long as the binding isn't a stranglehold.

Fair point; this is a nice thread about the subject of mulching citrus (which also addresses those claims that they shouldn't be mulched). Most of the similar threads I have found boast replies from persons who regularly mulch their citrus with great success. I think one of biggest reasons people exhort others to not mulch them is the fear of keeping the soil too moist and giving place to the development of foot rot and other diseases. However with our sandy (good-draining) soils overmoisture is usually not an issue, and as I previously mentioned keeping the mulch away from direct contact with the trunk itself should serve to additionally discourage any foot root etc. I can only speak from my personal experience and what I have noticed with others who mulch their citrus on here and it works for them....as to the orchards perhaps they use drip irrigation or the trees are so far along that they can get by on rainfall? Growing in an orchard can be very different than growing at home, and some orchards mulch while some do not. :) Thread about mulching citrus Also a good mulching citrus thread *I should also add that this may depend on how often you water? If your citrus is regularly watered (say a couple times a week) it may not need any mulch at all. If you are trying to conserve water/reduce irrigation intervals, mulching may be in order.