Turning my compost into ericaceous one

[Bramble_killer]

This is probably a really stupid question but instead of buying special acid compost for the blueberries, can I just shred my christmas tree still in my back garden (decaying beautifully) and mix it with normal compost?

This is purely to avoid me going to a garden centre to buy more plants.

[Jeanied]

I think you may be a tad on the ambitious side there, BK! As far as I know the regular compost has a touch of lime in it - which the christmas tree shreddings would struggle to overcome! I think you'd be better off biting the bullet and buying some! Unless you have some sequestrene to hand and a ph testing kit.

[northepaul]

I wouldnt risk putting the blueberries in regular compost, for the sake of buying a bag of acidic compost. You could well loose them and then you will be even more out of pocket
However you could use the christmas tree as a mulch - I did a similar thing with some fir tree and they (the blueberries) love it. Also only water with rain water and use feed specifically for acidic plants.

[Bigmallly]

Call into Starbucks BK & pick up a bag of used grounds.

[lottielady]

I feed mine with coffee grounds if that is any help

[BUFFS]

if you use plenty of oranges or any citrus fruit,put it through the mincer and into a covered plastic bucket,leave to break down and it makes for a very acidic compost, i use it on my bonsai,mix ordinary compost into the suff breaking down,its not fast but gives me ericacious compost for virtually no outlay,if you buy some in now,you can use the rotted citrus to top dress each spring,recycling at the same time all your peel..

[coreopsis]

I'll back up citrus peels,also onion peels are supposed to be acidic.What about mulching with some pine needles?

[Bramble_killer]

thanks all, i'll start planning ahead

popped out to wilko's and bought some for now but it costs a lot more so it's all useful

[northepaul]

thanks all, i'll start planning ahead

popped out to wilko's and bought some for now but it costs a lot more so it's all useful

Really? I bought mine in Homebase and it was the same price as their regular (not basic) mulipurpose compost...about £5.50 for a 60l bag.