Over the past several years my confidence in my gardening ability has grown. Not so long ago I could barely keep a houseplant alive. Okay, so I still have trouble with the houseplants, but outdoor gardening seems to come easier. And I just plain love it. I look forward to our family's evening walk around the yard, through the flower bed and down to garden discovering what new flower has bloomed, how tall the tomatoes have grown and which seeds have germinated finally broke through the dirt.
Each year we've planted new things in the ground hoping they will thrive and we will enjoy them for years to come. The hobbyist/collector in me compels me to accumulate as many beautiful plants as possible. I want to enjoy them all and know everything possible about the all the plants in my collection.
My list of new things to plant this year included hydrangeas ( I now have 5 bushes and still want more), gardenia, wisteria (this one will have to wait because it's an aggressive grower that requires lots of pruning), phlox, Japanese Andromeda and, the one that makes me the happiest, blueberry bushes.
Oh my, how I'm dreaming of the bushels of blueberries these guys are going to produce. I also learned a few valuable tips on growing blueberries from the lady who sold these to me:
- For the best blueberry production, you need at least two varieties of blueberry bushes.
- Blueberries like alkaline rich soil, so fertilize them with Azalea fertilizer or 10-10-10.
- The berries are ready to be picked when they fall off in your hand.
- By year six, the bush should be in full production.
I hope that helps anyone who wants to add blueberry bushes to their collection.