Where to position blueberries in a plot.

[CjJpB]

I have just gutted a very overgrown allotment and with it being late in the growing season I am focusing on a log term plot layout. I have grown blueberries for a long time in pots at home and been successful. However, I am thinking about moving them to the allotment and can't find anything on companion planting for them? I understand the soil issues but I just wondered if anyone had any knowledge on what other veg/fruit/herbs/flowers to plant or NOT plant them near.

[WendyC]

If you were thinking about long term perhaps you need to think about where the sun is. I've put my fruit cage across my southern boundary so they get maximum sun. I don't grow blueberries but do they like lots of sun or a bit of shade. You can always add companions but can't move the sun!

[CjJpB]

Thanks WendyC. Mine have always delivered the best fruit in full sun but they can tolerate partial shade too I believe. Very true about the sun and we are quite lucky with our plot. I just wanted to double check if anyone knew of any good/bad companions. Guess I will find out soon enough :-)

[Scarlet]

How about cranberries?

[BertieFox]

These things all need acid soil don't they? Or can you get by on neutral soil? Does anybody know whether goji berries (or the Duke of Argyll's tea tree) need any special soils or has succeeded with them? So far I only have around 20 spindly little seedlings in the greenhouse but I hope to plant them out in the autumn if they are big enough.

[CjJpB]

Thanks Scarlet - Nice idea.

BertieFox - Yep, ericaceous indeed. In pots you can control it. I think if you prep the ground well enough and keep topping it up with feed and chippings.

I think goji berries are much less fussy in regards to soil type but they don't like to be too wet. They do like the sunshine but seem very tolerant of extreme temperatures, so not as fussy as my blueberries. Good luck!!

[Vince G]

I read somewhere that if you don't have acid soil and want a blueberry, the best thing to do is dig a deep pit and fill it with a 50/50 mixture of ericaceous and the soil from the hole. At the bottom of the pit, put a sheet of plastic in which you've made a few holes with your fork, so whilst your blueberry will stay moist in its new position it will not waterlog. Make the pit big enough and there will not be too much leeching of non-acid soil from around the outside. I suppose you could line the whole pit, but I chose not to, and mine seems very happy.