Landscaping/Gardening Thread.

[calgarygeologist]

Does any grow blueberries? I have two plants in one of my garden beds. I previously had 4 but three died, one survived and one was replaced. The original survivor looks healthy and is quite large and about 5 years old. It has never made fruit though. The second plant is two years old and also looks healthy and might actually produce fruit this year.

Is there anything I should be doing to try to get fruit from my blueberry bush? I use fertilizer and aluminum for acidity and it gets the appropriate amount of water. I'm stumped.

[Fuzz]

No. My wife tried for years. One time she talked to the old guy at the garden centre who knows everything, and he kinda laughed. "No, you can't grow blueberries here. We sell them if you want, but good luck." She bought them anyway, and failed one last time, using every tip in the book.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

Does any grow blueberries? I have two plants in one of my garden beds. I previously had 4 but three died, one survived and one was replaced. The original survivor looks healthy and is quite large and about 5 years old. It has never made fruit though. The second plant is two years old and also looks healthy and might actually produce fruit this year.

Is there anything I should be doing to try to get fruit from my blueberry bush? I use fertilizer and aluminum for acidity and it gets the appropriate amount of water. I'm stumped.

Blueberries require acidic soil. Virtually all of Calgary has alkaline soil. No go.

A very good alternative is honeyberry (haskap). Tough as nails, you can have ripe berries in June sometimes.

[Fuzz]

Ya, my friend grows those with no problem. Yummy berries.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Blueberries require acidic soil. Virtually all of Calgary has alkaline soil. No go.

A very good alternative is honeyberry (haskap). Tough as nails, you can have ripe berries in June sometimes.

The acidity is why I use aluminum sulfate. Maybe I don't use enough though? I haven't actually tested the ph of my blueberry bed soil though.

I'll look into those honeyberries though. Maybe it will be a good alternative.

[Canadianman]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

The acidity is why I use aluminum sulfate. Maybe I don't use enough though? I haven't actually tested the ph of my blueberry bed soil though.

I'll look into those honeyberries though. Maybe it will be a good alternative.

I bought 6 haskaps this spring for my back yard. They seem to be doing well so far, expecting berries in 2 years or so.

Keep in mind you need at least two different types to pollinate. I got 3 Boreal Beauty and 3 Boreal Beast plants.

https://research-groups.usask.ca/fru...ops/haskap.php

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

The acidity is why I use aluminum sulfate. Maybe I don't use enough though? I haven't actually tested the ph of my blueberry bed soil though.

I'll look into those honeyberries though. Maybe it will be a good alternative.

There is no hope in getting Calgary's soil acidic enough. The subsoil constantly leeches limestone up. Blueberries prefer a soil pH around 4.5-5, Calgary's is around 8.

[Ducay]

Even better to stick to fruits/veggies you know they grow commercially nearby. Good indication of what works and what doesn't. Blueberries do fabulous way out east and the west coast, but their climates and soils are so much different than here.

While you seem like a knowledgeable gardener, I always caution people that while the garden centres might sell them, doesn't mean the climate or soil will let it do well.

(looking at you Hydrangeas....)

[Shazam]

Eh there's lots of hydrangeas that do fine here (I have four). You can even grow mopheads here if you have the right exposure. McInnis and Holloway have some beautiful huge ones in front.

[pseudoreality]

I gave up on blueberries and grow haskups and raspberries instead.

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Eh there's lots of hydrangeas that do fine here (I have four). You can even grow mopheads here if you have the right exposure. McInnis and Holloway have some beautiful huge ones in front.

I figured someone would mention that. I'll concede the point that it's possible (like blueberries are) but it takes such a specific exposure and placement (and over-winter care) that its nearly impossible when compared the sheer volume that garden centres sell.

Same as cedars - I'd suspect less than 5% survive longer than 2 years in Calgary, but you'd think they work great given the volume moved at garden centres.

[Shazam]

The hydrangeas I'm referring to are cultivars of hydrangea paniculata, which are very hardy. Mopheads like "Annabelle" are cultivars of hydrangea arborescens, which are much fussier.

Take a look at ones like 'Firelight', 'Quick Fire', 'Limelight'. These do very well here.

[Fuzz]

Spoiler!

I had this space between the house and garage that needed filling. I built the planter box in the spring, which my wife has turned into a veggie bonanza. I just finished the flagstone today, came out pretty nice, I think! Will close it off with a 4 foot fence to keep the rabbits out.

If anyone needs flagstone, this guy is great. He's just getting started here, his dad has a quarry in BC so he brings out a big truck and sells it here for less than half the price of everywhere else. Will deliver directly to where you need it. His name is Daniel.

https://www.stoneone.ca/

[Sr. Mints]

Originally Posted by pseudoreality

I gave up on blueberries and grow haskups and raspberries instead.

Do you get any haskcap berries?

I planted six plants (four of them pollinators) a couple years ago, and nothing. I'm thinking either the blooms get decimated by late frost, or the plants just need more time to get established.

[Canadianman]

Originally Posted by Sr. Mints

Do you get any haskcap berries?



I planted six plants (four of them pollinators) a couple years ago, and nothing. I'm thinking either the blooms get decimated by late frost, or the plants just need more time to get established.

Haskaps needs two different types of plants to cross pollinate. That might be your issue?

[Superflyer]

Is it to late to do a last lawn mowing? I neglected doing my last one and now after the snow and frosts, is it to late to do one?

[Ironhorse]

Hoping to do one more mowing this week with the mulcher.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Superflyer

Is it to late to do a last lawn mowing? I neglected doing my last one and now after the snow and frosts, is it to late to do one?

Naw, it's fine, just don't cut it to short. I usually do mine with raking leaves around now.

[TheIronMaiden]

Finally pulled the last of my veggies and winterized my garden. Feelsgoodman.

[REDVAN]

When the snow is completely gone, I am going to run the mower again... even though there are so many shocked leaves still on the trees.