HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1986-04-02, Page 7THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 1986. PAGE 7.
Blueberry growing can be sweet or sour
BY BRIAN HALL
FARM MANAGEMENT
SPECIALIST O.M.A.F.
Blueberries have received quite
a bit of attention in the press
recently as an alternative cash crop
in Ontario.
One of the most important
considerations of growing blue-
berries is the potential returns and
availability of a local market. While
these have been adequately ad-
dressed in recent articles there are
other important considerations.
Blueberry growing presents quite
a challenge because the plants
require special conditions.
SOILTYPE
The most important condition is
the soil type. Blueberries have a
shallow root system and grow best
in well -drained, loose soil, high in
organic matter. Plants also need a
low pH soil of between 4.0 and 5.0.
This means that for most areas in
Ontario our soil pH would have to
be altered to suit these conditions.
On sandy and sandy -loam soils
the preferred method of lowering
the pH and preparing a suitable
seedbed is to mix acid peat into the
top six to eight inches of soil.
Sawdust can be used as an
alternative to peat, but is not nearly
as good a mixture for the plants to
grow in.
Sulfur at the rate of 11/2 - 2
pounds per 100 square feet for each
point the pH is above 4.5 should be
applied the yearbefore planting. In
Huron County where the pH is in
the 7.5 range, this would be about
one ton of sulfur per acre. The pH
should be checked each year to
maintain the 4 -5 pH range. In high
pH soils or in clay soils a raised
seedbed large enough for several
plants should be prepared.
FERTILIZER
A fertilizer program using 10-10-
10 should be followed each spring
ata rate of one ounce per plant, the
first year, increasing this by one
ounce each year until a level of six
to eight ounces per plant is
reached. Fertilizer should be
spread evenly around the plant at a
time when the buds are bursting.
PLANTING AND GROWTH
Highbush blueberry plants are
planted at a rate of 1,000 plants per
acre at a cost of about $2.00 per
plant. Blueberry plants are more
winter hardy than peaches, but are
likely to be injured or killed by
temperatures of -20°F to -25°F.
Therefore, without good snow -
cover, production is not likely to be
successful in the colder areas of
Ontario.
In those areas of the province
with less than 2900 heat units a
winter hardy variety should be
planted. The variety Northland is
the commercial variety suited to
these areas. Northland is a hybrid
between the highbush and low -
bush blueberry. Plants are fairly
short and snow cover should
provide adequate production.
Blueberry plants remain produc-
tive for 20 years or more if growing
conditions are good and the stand
is well cared for.
With the shallow root system of
blueberry plants, irrigation is
advisable. Trickle irrigation is the
most popular system used. Several
manufacturers sell trickle irriga-
tion systems for blueberries. One
grower I talked with recently made
his own from hose costing 6c per
foot and drippers costing 7c each.
BIRD DAMAGE
Birds are a real troublesome pest
to blueberry growers. While a
number of methods such as nets
and 'bangers' have been used,
none are completely successful.
Often a stronger deterrent is
required with constant surveil-
ance.
YIELDS
Growers can expect to begin
harvesting blueberries in the third
year of production. Although
yields will differ from area to area
of the province and management,
plants should yield about one half
pound per bush in the third year.
By the sixth to eighth year when the
bushes reach full production yields
of six to eight pounds (four
quarts) per plant or higher are
possible. Prices will vary with local
THE CLASSIFIEDS
MEAN MONEY!
demand. One grower reported that
prices in his area were $2.10 per
pint picked or $1.60 per pint for
pick your own.
Blueberry production can be a
fun and rewarding enterprise.
Before starting into production,
consider your costs, markets, soil
type, labour requirements, and
production recipe required to
produce a successful venture.
Failure to plan is planning for
failure. For further information
contact your local Ontario Ministry
of Agriculture and Food office and
ask for a copy of the factsheet
"Blueberries for the Home Gar-
den" #235-12. -
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