Vegetables Gardening - Growing Organic Vegetables

Thanks for the info Irene. I appreciate it.

I should have made myself clearer though - the blueberry bushes were in a very protected and warm greenhouse before I bought them at the nursery. I figured that a gradual change would be best for them. So they've been spending sunny warmer days on the patio and then if it's going to get cold (below 40 degrees) I usually bring them into the garage.

We're not past our annual average date of frost/freeze "safety" yet (I think that's May 15th) so I thought that I might wait just a bit before I plant them in the ground outside. Figured that I could try to harden them off a bit in the meantime and allow them to get acclimated to outdoor temps a bit more before they have to face the harsh reality of life outdoors here in central MI. We've had quite a lot of cold and rainy weather here until just recently. I figured that recent frosts here might not be too good for them since they were so "spoiled" in the greenhouse before I got them.

Especially appreciative of your tip on the aluminum sulfate as I'd kinda been wondering about using it. Just wasn't quite sure it was the way for me to go. Kinda scared of anything with aluminum in it. I'd already planned to use plenty of peat and compost. Don't know much about the garden sulphur (yet) so I'll do some reasearch on that. Thanks again, appreciate all of your help.

I've got Bluecrop, Elliot, and Chippewa blueberries.

I'm still interested in any suggestions on a good basic book that covers the care of fruit trees and shrubs. Guess I'll hafta check my bookshelf and see what I've already got that *might* cover the topic. I'll also do some checking online that you suggested to me.

Happy Gardening!
Linda Ludwick
Zone 5 in central MI
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"fanatic989" <irene2046@...> wrote:
>
> I can't recommend a single source or book. A good place is Organic Gardening magazine archives, Mother Earth News archives, and books from your local library.
>
> I'd say get those blueberries into the ground asap.
> Gradually acclimate them to the temps outside...they don't like sudden change.
>
> Cut back the branches by 1/3 to 1/2. Okay, leave 1 or 2 fruit buds on...you at least want to get a taste of the new fruit.
>
> I planted Northland and Jersey in 2004, and didn't get fruit for several years. But the Polaris and Friendship started fruiting the following year.
>
> DON'T use aluminum sulfate to acidify the soil. I did and I think it almost killed the plant. Also I found out later on it's toxic. Mix in peat moss, compost, garden sulfur to acidify the soil if needed. Do the soil pH test.
> Hope this helps.
> Irene (LI, zone 7)
>

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