Transplanting blueberry bushes

[Anonymous]

I have 3 blueberry plants that are taking prime space in my visible garden, so I want to move them to the back. Any ideas when is the right time to transplant them? Later in fall? In the spring? I'm in DC. And any tips for making it from blossoms to berries this year? I tried to cover them the last 2 years, but the birds or the squirrels just had their way. Grrr. I really, really want to grow blueberries! I'm kind of obsessed....

[Anonymous]

Do a soil test in your new location. Blueberries like acidic, sunny, well drained soil. Ammend soil if necessary

Move them when they have gone dormant but the ground isn't frozen. So after the first frost in the fall or early spring when it's still cold.

[Anonymous]

Let a mulberry tree grow to 30-ft tall like my dingbat neighbor has done. The birds and squirrels will keep themselves busy gorging on mulberries and leave the blueberries alone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let a mulberry tree grow to 30-ft tall like my dingbat neighbor has done. The birds and squirrels will keep themselves busy gorging on mulberries and leave the blueberries alone.

What’s wrong with the neighbors having a mulberry tree?

[Anonymous]

OP this is how I build a cage for my tomatoes:

Pound rebar into the four corners with a foot or two sticking up.

Slip pvc pipe over the rebar, then connect with connector pieces to a rectangle at the top. You just need a tube cutter to cut the pieces to the right length and four three way connectors. It helps to have a couple straight connectors too so you can use scraps.

Then you can attach bird netting with zip ties. Overlap two pieces in the front to make a “door.”

It’s pretty sturdy because of the rebar. If you want it to be fancier you could use copper pipe or other pipe, or spray paint the pvc with a bonding paint.

It won’t work for rats or anything that can dig unless you modify it. But it works for me for birds and squirrels, and it’s easy to break down and store. I just leave the rebar there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have 3 blueberry plants that are taking prime space in my visible garden, so I want to move them to the back. Any ideas when is the right time to transplant them? Later in fall? In the spring? I'm in DC. And any tips for making it from blossoms to berries this year? I tried to cover them the last 2 years, but the birds or the squirrels just had their way. Grrr. I really, really want to grow blueberries! I'm kind of obsessed....

We built a cage out of pvc piping and a huge net. We install when the berries start to ripen and take down when they are done for the season.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP this is how I build a cage for my tomatoes:

Pound rebar into the four corners with a foot or two sticking up.

Slip pvc pipe over the rebar, then connect with connector pieces to a rectangle at the top. You just need a tube cutter to cut the pieces to the right length and four three way connectors. It helps to have a couple straight connectors too so you can use scraps.

Then you can attach bird netting with zip ties. Overlap two pieces in the front to make a “door.”

It’s pretty sturdy because of the rebar. If you want it to be fancier you could use copper pipe or other pipe, or spray paint the pvc with a bonding paint.

It won’t work for rats or anything that can dig unless you modify it. But it works for me for birds and squirrels, and it’s easy to break down and store. I just leave the rebar there.

NP with the same lack of blueberries issue, thank you for the detailed advice. I’m going to try this!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP this is how I build a cage for my tomatoes:

Pound rebar into the four corners with a foot or two sticking up.

Slip pvc pipe over the rebar, then connect with connector pieces to a rectangle at the top. You just need a tube cutter to cut the pieces to the right length and four three way connectors. It helps to have a couple straight connectors too so you can use scraps.

Then you can attach bird netting with zip ties. Overlap two pieces in the front to make a “door.”

It’s pretty sturdy because of the rebar. If you want it to be fancier you could use copper pipe or other pipe, or spray paint the pvc with a bonding paint.

It won’t work for rats or anything that can dig unless you modify it. But it works for me for birds and squirrels, and it’s easy to break down and store. I just leave the rebar there.

NP with the same lack of blueberries issue, thank you for the detailed advice. I’m going to try this!

I would also advise mulching heavily (or cardboard) in and just around the structure because pulling weeds inside it will be a pain and it will be impossible to weed whack with the netting of course. Not that you need to have it up so long for blueberries.

[Anonymous]

Thank you, everyone! I'm inspired, and looking forward to pounding in some rebar. Berries for all if I do indeed get some!