Berry Bliss

We love berries around here.

Raspberries? Check.

Blackberries? 1 wild vine with more planned.

Plus, friendly neighbors with a big patch and an open invitation to pick.

Let's call that a check.

Blueberries? 3 shrubs put in on the slope, 2 surviving.

No berries produced last year. Hmmm.

Strawberries? No. Haven't found a space for them yet.

 

It's time for:

Plan B: Bring on the Berries

 

Exhibit A

As you can see, 'Patriot' here is nearly being overtaken by the weed grass.

Still kicking, but not thriving.

Hasn't grown much since planted, at all.

 

Exhibit B

Over on the left side, 'Blue Ray' is having similar issues: very slow growth rate, and abundant weed competition.

 

But what have we here?

Enter, the hero of our story!

Yes you, top terrace.

(Oh, unassuming little top terrace. Have I got big plans for you!)

What if....I pull the 2 remaining blueberry bushes out of their dead-end spots on the slope, and plunk them down for good right in my top terrace?

I think I will even have room to add one more, to replace the one that died.

 

By transplanting the blueberries to the top terrace I will be able to:

A) amend the soil more to their liking without it all washing down the slope

B) Make sure they get watered all through the summer.

C) purchase and plant strawberries to fill in around them (2 birds down!)

D) speaking of birds, add bird netting as needed, when all those delicious berries start being produced.

 

I worried a little about losing the space for vegetables, but soon talked myself out of that. 

My husband is planning to expand the bottom two terraces this year, so I should have almost as much room as I would be losing. Besides, I'd rather have my own berry bushes producing and run to the store for some vegetables if I need to. Berries are expensive!

 

I even ran this brilliant brainstorm past my husband. He approved.

So, next step is to get some acid-lover's soil amendment and get to work!

I'm really excited.

Bring on the berry bliss!