Container Gardening Complete

Job:06-700309 Title: CPS - Container Gardening Complete

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Job:06-700309 Title: CPS - Container Gardening Complete
#175 Dtp: 229 Page: 113

Job:06-700309 Title: CPS - Container Gardening Complete

#175 Dtp: 229 Page: 112

700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 113 5/24/17 11:13 AM

You don’t need a lot of room to grow berries. This container planting

combines two of the most popular small fruits—blueberries and

strawberries, into one container. Though the two have slightly different

soil requirements (blueberries like more acidic soil), they both do quite

well in a peat-based potting soil and compost blend with a bit of acid-

specific fertilizer mixed in. A little extra care is required to see this

container through the winter if you live where temperatures regularly dip

below freezing.

Blueberries have wide, shallow, fibrous root systems, so you don’t

need a particularly deep container to grow them. This makes galvanized

utility tubs the perfect blueberry-growing vessels.

MATERIALS NEEDED

6- or 28-gallon

galvanized metal

utility tub

Enough 50/50 potting

soil and compost blend

to fill the tub

1 cup granular fertilizer,

formulated specifically

for acid-loving plants

Blueberry plant

10 to 15 strawberry

plants

TOOLS NEEDED

Scratch awl

Hammer

Eye protection

BEGINNER’S

BERRY

GARDEN

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HOW TO MAKE A BEGINNER’S BERRY GARDEN

STEP 1 Flip the metal tub over and use the hammer to

pound the tip of the scratch awl through the bottom of

the tub in six to eight places to create drainage holes.

Fill the tub with the potting soil blend to within an inch

of the tub’s upper rim. Mix the cup of acid-specific

granular fertilizer into the growing mix, being sure to

incorporate it throughout.

STEP 2 Plant a single blueberry bush in the center of

the tub. Pay careful attention to the type of blueberry

you select, because not all of them are suited to

container culture. For the best results, look for a

variety of blueberry that’s been bred to grow well in

containers. Larger varieties will quickly out-grow the

space. Self-pollinating miniature blueberry varieties,

such as ‘Top Hat’, ‘Jelly Bean’™, and ‘Blueberry

Glaze’’™ that top out at 18 to 24 in. are a perfect fit for

northern regions. In southern climates, use a rabbit-

eye variety of blueberry instead (just plan on planting

two berry tubs because rabbit-eyes are not self-fertile

and need a pollination partner).

STEP 3 Plant ten to fifteen strawberry plants around

the base of the blueberry bush, spacing them 3 to 6

in. apart. If possible, choose an ever-bearing variety

that will produce a constant harvest of fruit from early

summer through autumn. Also be on the lookout for

varieties with natural disease resistance. Water the

plants well and continue to care for them throughout

the growing season. Some folks recommend you

pinch off all the strawberry flowers during the first

growing season to strengthen the plant roots, but with

container-grown strawberries, it’s okay to allow the

plants to produce berries their first season.

NOTE: When winter arrives, it’s important to give your

berry tub a little added protection by surrounding the

metal tub with a ring of chicken wire or cattle fencing

that’s about 2 to 3 feet wider than the tub and the

same height. Stuff some straw, hay, or autumn leaves

between the tub and the fence to insulate the roots.

Do not cover the top of the tub or plants, or you might

inadvertently promote fungal diseases. Remove the

fencing and insulating materials the following season,

4 to 6 weeks before the last expected frost. When

you remove the fencing, it’s a good time to make an

additional yearly fertilization of^1 ⁄ 2 cup of granular,

acid-specific fertilizer.

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Job:06-700309 Title: CPS - Container Gardening Complete

#175 Dtp: 229 Page: 113

Job:06-700309 Title: CPS - Container Gardening Complete

#175 Dtp: 229 Page: 112

700309 - ContainerGardens_001-272_FINAL.indd 113 5/24/17 1:07 PM