I have an idea with the pine boughs...the area I plan on planting the blueberries is in a corner, there is a drain that runs through the back yards in the neighborhood that goes under this area along the back of my fence, the area needs fill badly...I was thinking of putting in a few concrete blocks against the neighbors fences in the corner and backfilling this area. What if I first filled the area with the pine boughs (cut into roughly 1' lengths) then filled with compost? The area would be higher towards the corner making a mound. Hope this makes sense. Kim

I have been using MiracleGrow-acidic formula, one tablespoon per 4 gallons of water. I wait until the shrub could use some water, between rainstorms. For established shrubs, I apply this in early April, when the leaves are just beginning to emerge, and again in May. Since we have many shrubs that are heavily covered in fruit this year, I might apply one more time, in early June. This year, I am using Schultz's plant food, for acid loving plants, because I couldn't find Miracle Grow. It has a very similar formula. There is an advantage to using a comprehensive plant food on blueberry shrubs, rather than a single element fertilizer such as ammonium sulfate. If the plant has a problem, such as iron chlorosis(yellow leaves) or red/brown leaves, and I know that I have applied a multi-element comprehensive fertilizer, I can be reasonably certain that the soil has high pH, which interferes with nutrient absorption by the roots. The solution, in this case, is to lower soil pH, not apply more fertilizer. Typically, these issues appear in the spring, and this year was no exception with our blueberry shrubs. If your water and soil do not have limestone or dissolved limestone present, you will likely not have problems with high soil pH.

Lisa, I bought the 'Sunshine Blues.' From you, I guess you know! :-) Before I put them in the large containers I gently removed the bottoms of the peat pots they were in (mostly falling off anyway). I had to do this with some other plants one time and they grew fine afterwards. Didn't remove the sides 'cause the roots were starting to grow through them. The planting mix I have them in seems to stay moist for several days before needing to water again. Do blueberries like very moist or slightly moist soil? Thanks, Sheri

What you are suggesting I have tried on other single stem plants, but was not successful. If it were possible to split the stem, or trunk down through the roots so each half would have some of the crown AND some roots you might do it, but I don't think it is possible with the plants you have. I also do not think any dressing or sealing material would help. Al