*** Win a free copy of A Gardener’s Guide to Blueberries by leaving a comment below***
Frequent readers of this blog already know I think highbush blueberry shrubs (Vaccinium corymbosum) should be grown in every garden. OK, every garden in zones 3 – 10, where they are hardy. The reason is simple, they offer something for every gardener no matter what your gardening focus.
Blueberries – A Jack of all Trades
Are you looking to attract birds to your garden? Plant a blueberry bush. How about butterflies? Here in Connecticut, blueberries are a host plant for spring and summer azure as well as striped hairstreak and Henry’s elfin butterflies, to name just a few.
Are deer a problem in your garden? Good news, Vaccinium is deer-resistant. Perhaps you’d prefer to plant a shrub that is native or has intense fall color. Blueberries are native to most of the eastern US and their foliage turns brilliant shades of red in the fall. And of course, if you are interested in growing edibles you definitely need a few blueberries in your garden.
The Ins & Outs of Growing Blueberries
Last year, as part of the Garden Designers Roundtable topic on Underutilized Plants I wrote about blueberries in a my post entitled A 4-Season Beauty with a Bonus. That’s when I first met the folks at Fall Creek Farm and Nursery, one of the leading producers of blueberry nursery stock in the world. They were so helpful, answering questions and providing many of the photos I used in my post.
A few weeks ago I got an email from Fall Creek about a new guide they had written called A Gardener’s Guide to Blueberries. They asked if I would like a copy to preview on my blog and I jumped at the chance. Then I asked if they would agree to give away a free copy of the guide to one of my readers (yes, that’s you) and they agreed. In fact, they generously agreed to give away multiple copies!
If you’re like me, the first question you probably have about this pocket guide for growing blueberries is whether or not it’s basically just a bunch of propaganda for Fall Creek. I’m pleased to report it is not.
Yes, there are a few references to their website and a short paragraph about the company in the back of the book but all in all, A Gardener’s Guide to Blueberries is chock full of helpful hints. And even a few recipes.
The guide includes tips on planting, fertilizing and watering blueberries. Did you know that if you have hard water you should add some household vinegar to your watering can every once in a while?
I knew that having more than one variety of Vaccinium corymbosum would result in a better harvest but I didn’t realize they could be planted as far apart as 100′. That little tidbit opens up a bunch of options for designing with blueberries.
For many gardeners, one of the most confusing aspects of growing blueberries is proper pruning. The guide has a series of photos that show you, step by step, how to prune and what your shrub should look like after you’re done. There is also a troubleshooting Q & A section that addresses some of the issues you may encounter with your blueberries.
If you’re interested in getting your own copy of A Gardener’s Guide to Blueberries don’t leave without leaving a comment. I’ll draw a few random winners on Friday, July 29th and then Fall Creek will send you your guide. Good luck!
*** Win a free copy of A Gardener’s Guide to Blueberries by leaving a comment below***
