Blueberries and peat ( turf )

blowin · Blueberries and peat ( turf )

As you know , Blueberries should be planted in a very peaty ( acidic ) soil . Since I didn't get the mix right at the time of planting I put a 3" mulch of peat all around the plants last Autumn ---- and they still look like sticks with hardly any berries ! Evil or Very Mad

On reflection I think It was a mistake to have taken the sloppy stuff from the bottom of a 6 ft hole in the bog . It did make it easy to dig out then spread but I guess it had zero nutrient but a high concentration of metals ( which turn bog oak to iron ) . An old boy confirmed that you should use peat cut from the upper layer . That would figure .

And take it from me that chickens really like green blueberries Evil or Very Mad

. I feel a stuffing session coming on Cool

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Graney

Most peat is zero nutrient content unless it comes from a layer that had vegetation growing on it for a while. The problem with mulching is that you're relying on the worms to take it down to around the roots and that's a pretty slow process.

There's really no substitute for having the roots surrounded by peat. If the plants aren't not too big, I'd be tempted to lift them in the autumn or spring and plant them back in a nice peaty bed.

blowin

I'm sure you are right on all counts and now you mention it I don't think worms like pure peat anyway so they won't be in any hurry to drag it down .
I've tried a compromise -- thin layer of hay on top of the peat mulch . See if that does anything .
Plenty of wild Bilberries around here . There are occasional patches which produce much better fuit than their neighbours . I think one thing they have in common is that they are on slightly raised mounds ( eg sitting on a rock ) surrounded by particularly gritty soil -- possibly more sand than peat -- so they have access to plenty of damp but aren't sitting in it . I'll try that if I have to replant . Cheers Wink

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