Sharing A Bed

Hi guys! I'm in the process of planning a sort of "fruit patch" bed that will include six blueberry bushes. I understand they require acidic soil, perhaps 4 or 5, in order to thrive. I was hoping to include three or four fruit trees in this same planting space (figs in particular), but i understand fruit trees need a ph of 6 or 7. Can blueberries and fruit trees successfully share a bed?

I'm thinking i may have to modify my "vision." I suppose i could plant roses around the blueberry bushes, with a conifer for height, as i think they both favor acidic soil. Somehow i can't see that working though.

what do to ... what to do!?

:)

Estreya - sorry I hadn't noticed this thread before.

What I think is it is quite alright to go ahead and plant the trees and blueberries together (I wonder if we can get growin in on this discussion).

What I would suggest is to plant the trees first - remember, the trees are going to be deep rooted, so most of their nutrient needs are coming from the lower area - I don't think the blueberry bushes are going to go all that deep (I usually plan on the eventual natural height of the plant is the eventual natural run of the root) - after the trees are in, you can make wells of acidic soil for the bushes. The soil around the bushes can be continued to be mulched with an acidic mulch (leaf mould is great, or if you have bracken in the woods, harvest it in the autumn and let it break down like leaf mould - extremely good acid mulch). Fruit trees don't actually need mulching.

So, my vote would be, go for it - I see no reason for it not to work. Growin? Any thoughts?

Thank you, Laurie1! I'm going to try it. I'll let you know how it goes ....

I'd say that sounds good. I see a gazillion blueberries planted in fields around here and they are mounded in a sawdust/peat mix and they seem to do better. I think the mounding reduces waterlogging and better fertigation in the field. I'd put the row of your blueberries to make a sorta fence in your little orchard.

Oh, mounding! Yes, that should help too, especially since the area i've reserved for this purpose can get a bit wet in the early spring and late fall.

Thank you, you guys. I feel kind of bad that i exploit your expertise all the time without any kind of reciprocal offering. Blueberries and figs, anyone? :)

Ohhhh, what are those wonderful american cookies? Figgy inside and wrapped in a soft biscuit - hmmmm, those with some blueberries mixed in - yumm. Put the coffee on (although, I do prefer an espresso please).

Newtons! I've never tried to make those from scratch. But i do make a sort of baked fig best enjoyed with a topping of vanilla ice cream. That might be somewhat satisfying after a long day of gardening, hm? :)

Speaking of berry needs.. i have planted my blueberry start in an old halved wine cask.. I have planted around his base four strawberry plants.. I was recently informed that this might have been a poor decision. Will they get along well? I am completely new to all this fun stuff.

Estreya,
I have an orchard with Blueberries & fruit trees (Pears, Cherries, Plums, Kiwi, Apples, Loganberries) and this is surrounded by several mixed borders. I have not made any attempt to alter the existing ph, except to mix compost with coffee grounds which I mulch the Blues with. I get great berries, and the fruit trees produce quite well. This will be the orchard's 8th year, & I have not had any problems.

Oh wow, Katye! What a paradise for the pallet, as well as the other senses. It must be the most gorgeous experience to just stand there and drink in the air (when you're not stopping to weed or stretching to prune, that is.) Do you happen to have any photographs?

Hi - been busy-busy in the garden, like everyone! It is a great experience for a few moments until I look to see something else that needs attending to. It is non-stop work, but I so enjoy being outdoors that I look forward to it. I do hope to "finish" so that all I am doing is maintenance/upkeep. Someday....
Photos - not at present. My computer had a horrific meltdown in February - I have lost most of my garden files & all pics. Just got a new computer in April, and starting over again. But I can take more - I've been concentrating on tweaking things in the orchard, and removing what did not make it through the winter we had. The borders got hit pretty hard - I no longer am pushing zone hardiness, it's not worth it in the long run. The dogs have done some damage, too. I will be fencing it off from them & hope neither can jump 4'.
The most discourageing thing was to deal with the reality of the Noble Fir that is on one side: it was hit by lightning several years back, & is declining rapidly. It has to come out, but I was thinking how much fun it would be to leave a 10 - 12' stump, and fix a sturdy metal chair up there, accessed by a ladder - it would provide a grand view, and a superb place to rest.

And I bet no weeding can be done from there. But will the dogs go crazy!