Had an idea

[chickengr]

Gotta love Texas! Even in Colorado we would still be waiting. Of course in a couple weeks it will be too hot to go outside at all!

how do you keep blueberries alive in summer? just ordered one but not sure it will survive. btw, it is your fault I finally dared to order a blueberry, lol.

 

[ChaosMom]

how do you keep blueberries alive in summer? just ordered one but not sure it will survive. btw, it is your fault I finally dared to order a blueberry, lol.

WNC here - blueberries should be planted in loose, fluffy, quite acidic soil, like what you would use for azaleas.

Oh wow, you’re in Greece, hmmm. Any idea if your native soils run alkaline (pH above 7 or acid (pH below 7)? Blueberries like humus-y soils; think lots of shredded hardwood mulch mixed with soil with lots of compost. Are where any kind of gardening/agricultural support agencies available?

 

[Eddie the Yeti]

how do you keep blueberries alive in summer? just ordered one but not sure it will survive. btw, it is your fault I finally dared to order a blueberry, lol.

I wish I could claim that I have some secret method but I really just plant stuff and it grows. Maybe because I don't obsess and over water or over fertilize. Just let nature do the work and water if they look wilty.

 

[chickengr]

WNC here - blueberries should be planted in loose, fluffy, quite acidic soil, like what you would use for azaleas.

Oh wow, you’re in Greece, hmmm. Any idea if your native soils run alkaline (pH above 7 or acid (pH below 7)? Blueberries like humus-y soils; think lots of shredded hardwood mulch mixed with soil with lots of compost. Are where any kind of gardening/agricultural support agencies available?

our soil is alkaline but I can buy a bag of compost or similar. I don't think there is any agency. my concern is heat and drought - no humidity in the air.

 

[chickengr]

I wish I could claim that I have some secret method but I really just plant stuff and it grows. Maybe because I don't obsess and over water or over fertilize. Just let nature do the work and water if they look wilty.

do you have big trees that make some shade? I don't. planted some 2 years ago but they need 5-10 years to grow.

 

[ChaosMom]

our soil is alkaline but I can buy a bag of compost or similar. I don't think there is any agency. my concern is heat and drought - no humidity in the air.

I poked around and found this blog article. It’s pretty eye-roll to me, but decent info that might work for you. (The writer is in the Arizona desert.)

Suggestions: plant in a pot, not in the ground; plant under high shade in the afternoon if you have it, on the east or northeast side of your house if not, periodically acidify again as your water is probably alkaline; plant at least 2 varieties (cross-pollination.)

I’d skip the azomite soil amendment - it’s pricey and probably unnecessary.

https://www.weedemandreap.com/growing-blueberries-desert/

And maybe contact the Extension Master Gardener folks in the southern Arizona area. I’ll bet they’ll be tickled to hear from Greece! https://extension.arizona.edu/programs/maricopa-county-master-gardeners

 

[chickengr]

I poked around and found this blog article. It’s pretty eye-roll to me, but decent info that might work for you. (The writer is in the Arizona desert.)

Suggestions: plant in a pot, not in the ground; plant under high shade in the afternoon if you have it, on the east or northeast side of your house if not, periodically acidify again as your water is probably alkaline; plant at least 2 varieties (cross-pollination.)

I’d skip the azomite soil amendment - it’s pricey and probably unnecessary.

https://www.weedemandreap.com/growing-blueberries-desert/

And maybe contact the Extension Master Gardener folks in the southern Arizona area. I’ll bet they’ll be tickled to hear from Greece! https://extension.arizona.edu/programs/maricopa-county-master-gardeners

as I don't plant anything in pots (too hot and I might forget to water) I am thinking to plant okra/sunflowers/corn in front of berries. I also planted raspberries, serviceberries, black/red/white currants. they don't thrive in heat and drought.