The Cottage Smallholder

debih said:

I am hoping someone can give me some advice.

 

I am about to receive three blueberry bushes through the post and we are intending on putting them in the same bed as three gooseberry bushes, one redcurrant bush and one white currant bush " am also intending on planting two black currant bushes in the same bed.

 

I understand that blueberries like acidic soil " we don't actually know what type of soil we have so am going to test it this weekend, but am pretty sure that it is not acidic so will have to add something to the area that the blueberries are going in.

 

So I need to know if adding something to the area that the blueberries are going in is likely to affect the other berries that are growing around it or do you think we would be better keeping the blueberries in pots but digging the pots into the ground so that the bushes are all the same sort of height.

 

Also, is this the right time of year to be planting blueberry and black currant bushes (not sure if they are bare root bushes or not " all ordered from the internet, the blueberries actually being a free gift with a years subscription to Home Farmer magazine).

 Currants and gooseberries prefer a rich fairly neutral soil . As you said Blueberries need an acid soil PH4"5.5 . Containers with a 50/50 mix of ericaceous and sharp sand are ideal. Mulch with peat or pine needles . If you've got them you'll have to plant them just don't expect to get much if any fruit this year.