BLUEBERRY

Vaccinium angustifolium (lowbush)


Vaccinium corymbosum (highbush)



Blueberries have one of the highest antioxidant properties of all the berries. The lowbush varieties prefer a pH of 4.0 to 5.2 and the highbush varieties prefer a pH of 4.0 to 6.0 (acid soils). Both varieties need full sun. The soil should be a soft, woodsy type with humus and peat that has good drainage. Blueberries have shallow roots so they should remain cool, moist, acid and be mulched. They should not be allowed to dry out completely and they cannot tolerate water standing on the surface. Many places suggest the use of pine needles for mulch, but use them sparingly in the beginning as you can overdue it and kill the plants. Highbush types will grow from 4-10 feet high and spread about 4-6 feet. Lowbush types will grow from 2-4 feet high and spread about 2-4 feet. Plant the bushes in the Spring, slightly deeper than they were originally, and make sure they get 1-1.5 inches of water per week while fruiting. Blueberries can be grown in containers about 24 inches deep, but they need a pollinator. Good harvests should be in 3-4 years.

ASPARAGUS

Asparagus officinalis


Careful site and bed selection is important for this tasty vegetable. The Asparagus prefers a pH of 6.0 to 7.5 and needs only 5 hours of sun per day. The soil should be rich (with humus), deep, well drained and free of weeds. It can take up to 3 years to get the bed established, after which, it should thrive for many years with minimal care. The ferns can grow 5-6 feet high with a 3 foot spread and as much as 5-6 feet deep in search for a heavy supply of nutrients. It is best to add more compost/humus mix each year to replenish the soil while it is getting established. Plant 1 year crowns in the Spring 8 inches deep. Supply 1-1.5 inches of water per week for maximum growth. Harvest spears when 6 inches high after the 2nd year.

Good Companions:

• Basil
• Parsley
• Tomatoes

Gardener's Corner by Snowflake Farms

Welcome! This blog was created to share useful information about gardening, plants and other great subjects. Just as there are many different types of people, there are many different ways to garden. There's a ton of reference material available, however, not everyone is into studying.
Sometimes, learning by doing is half the fun ... be adventurous, try new gardening ideas and see what works best in your own ecostructure ... before you know it, you may have changed your own environment!

Our goal is to try to condense some of the available information and make gardening fun for you. If you like what you find here and it works well for you, that's fantastic! ... tell other's about your great resource. If you find some great info that we've missed ... send us an email and let us know.



Remember, the information here is simply one point of view! Here's some thoughts for you:

1. Organic Gardening is the best, healthiest and most natural way to garden (in my opinion).



2. Information here will be as accurate as possible (do your own research to be sure).



3. Gardening should be fun, relaxing and rewarding (get in tune with nature for yourself).



4. Share what you learn with others (life is easier and more fun that way).

Above all else, remember the source of the GARDENING MIRACLE.