The blueberries grew really well this year. Next year will be their fourth year so we're looking forward to both varieties having good crops. The leaf analysis on the blueberries showed they are short in phosphorus, boron, iron and copper, and the soil sample showed the pH at 6.8.
The pH result alarmed us since we know blueberry plants need to be between 4 and 5 for good growth and fruitfulness. When we tested our pH levels in July, our average level was around 5. This new information meant I needed to grab the Bluelab Soil pH Meter and check for myself! Here I am checking. You can see the pH here is a little high.
The average pH that I got with five samples was a 5.74 on the lower block and a 5.42 on the upper. My tests were close to the plants. Nitrogen fertilizer along the drip line will lower the pH level which could explain the discrepancy between my results and Wilbur Ellis'. If Wilbur Ellis tested soil on the outside edge of the planted row, the pH level would be higher because it would be farther away from the fertilizer. Regardless, we know we need to lower the pH so we'll add some elemental sulfur after dormancy and maybe some dry citrate powder when we fertigate in the spring.
We applied a foliar spray yesterday with boron and True Organic to address the nutrients we are low in. Boron deficiencies are relatively common in Oregon and Washington and if not corrected can reduce fruit set and cause shoot die-back. The True Organic will address the three primary elements for blueberries: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).
It's always a juggling act to organize foliar sprays when we are in the middle of a harvest. Just like the cherries, our apple harvest is two weeks late. This is yesterday's early morning shot of our full apple harvest moon.
Two months ago today Shyla and Grayson were married with a full cherry harvest moon.
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