Hello everyone! I have 3 very large and lovely 4yr.old blueberry bushes.They did so well that I decided to plant 7 more.The soil has been properly prepared as to ph,nutrients,and organic matter;but I haven't mulched them yet.It would take an awful lot of peat to mulch their bed,and I can't breath around sawdust.Is there any reason why I can't use straw? I've already lost one new bush to something that turns the tips and edges of the leaves brown,then the whole leaves,then the plant just withered up and died.(I'm currently spraying the others with liquid copper since it appears to have spread.)I know I need to get a mulch on there soon but was afraid I'd do more harm wiht the straw. Any suggestions? Thanks a bunch!!! Tracy

-- Tracy Jo Neff (tntneff@ifriendly.com), July 10, 2000

Answers

Tracy, I picked blueberries once at this fellows house. He had many very large ,very nice plants. They had either straw or hay under them.I think it was straw.It's been a while though I really don't know for sure. Good luck.

-- Bonnie (joshie_boyis21@hotmail.com), July 10, 2000.

We use pine needles and oak leaves and the plants seem to like them both.

-- john leake (natlivent@pcpros.net), July 10, 2000.

Yep pine needles, they like it acidic. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), July 11, 2000.

All the pine needles you can rake up.

-- Brad (Rodent@worldpath.net), July 11, 2000.

Did you know, according to organic gardening encyclopedia, oak leaves are even more acidic than pine needles.

-- john leake (natlivent@pcpros.net), July 11, 2000.

Hello again everyone!

Thanks for all the suggestions.I think I will use some straw until fall when I shall be able to rake up lots of oak leaves and pine- needles. I sure didn't know that oak leaves were more acidic. Also,Ken, if you read this message:Thanks so much for the email regarding my question! Sorry it took me so long to answer and thank you all...I must admit I haven't been especially busy-just glued to a great book![FYI-Can Man Live Without God by Ravi Zacharias-highly recommended to all! Oh my!It looks like I'm giving eBay feedback!] Well,God's richest blessings on you all, thanks for always being so helpful!!! ~~~Tracy~~~

-- Tracy Jo Neff (tntneff@ifriendly.com), July 15, 2000.