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New raised bed for bluberries

nick1988raynornick1988raynor Posts: 51
in Fruit & veg
Hi all, I have a raised bed that i intend to fill with bluberry bushes. I know I need ericaceous soil, im just struggling to work out the best way to do this. The raised bed is about 8ft by 6ft and there is about 2ft of depth that needs filling. Am I best of sourcing topsoil and adding ericaceous compost? Thanks in advamce for any advice
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  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    No, you need that depth of ericaceous soil for blueberries. Probably cheapest to buy it in bulk, either loose or in the big builders bags, whichever is convenient for you. If you calculate L x W x D, you can work out how much you will need. What is under the raised bed as that might effect drainage? 
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • nick1988raynornick1988raynor Posts: 51
    Its open bottom on soil
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384
    If the ericaceous compost you get is on the heavy side (some are), I would mix in say 20% of composted bark to help drainage.  While blueberries should never be allowed to dry out, they don't like heavy poorly drained soils.  Mine have been much happier since doing this after I lost a couple (in large containers) to root rot which were in a John Innes formula ericaceous compost.  It was sopping wet despite the pot having plenty of large drainage holes.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    That's good news Nick, you shouldn't have to worry about drainage then.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • nick1988raynornick1988raynor Posts: 51
    Hi all, in the process of purchasing aforementioned blueberries. Just after some advice in terms of space. The bed in question is approx 8ft by 6ft, I want to have the maximum ammount of plants as I can but obviously want them to have enough space to be healthy. I will post a rough diagram of a plan with 4 plants. 
  • nick1988raynornick1988raynor Posts: 51
    Any advice or suggestions will as always be greatly appreciated 😁
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384
    Planting distances look about right to me, nick.  Which varieties are you looking at?  Patriot, Draper and Legacy are my best croppers.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • nick1988raynornick1988raynor Posts: 51
    Rhs have a deal for 3 chandler, bluecrop and spartan. And i want to get a pink lemonade for something different. The 3 collection come in 1.5l pots, not sure if these will be very young plants? 
    https://www.rhsplants.co.uk/plants/_/blueberry-collection/classid.2000018376/
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384
    I think they will be quite small as they state 1.5l pots.  They're reasonably fast growers but will likely take a couple of years to grow to size where they'll start fruiting, so I'd look for 3l potted ones if you want a head start and can afford the extra cost.  Many on here have recommended Trehane nurseries as a good supplier.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • nick1988raynornick1988raynor Posts: 51
    Blueberries have arrived! Alot sooner than expected. Should i be nipping off buds or anything to encourage growth when their planted??
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