Earlier this Sumer, we decided where to put the three fire rings we had been using as raised beds for some trees we lost a couple years ago.
We decided to put them in the area with our fruit trees to serve as a place for the three blueberry bushes we have. That keeps them near a water supply and electrical outlet for covering in freezes with lights.
Of course, I'm one who sees an idea and then says 'we can do this here too!'. So if we have three on this side, since the other side of the orchard area is exactly the same, we can put in three more for future expansion!
We already had an extra one from the original purchase that was not put together so we only needed two more. Unfortunately they no longer had them where I bought them originally. It took some internet sluething but I found them...at Menards grocery store online site.
Go figure.
I ordered two more and here they are delivered and taken to the farm.
They are 36" diameter and a foot tall just like the originals. They come in four sections and just easily bolt together. Will take about 5 minutes to assemble.
So here is where they will be...three on one side and three new ones on the other side. The this year might at this point actually be next year but you get the point.
Now comes the "what do we plant" part in the other three? We don't really want trees in them because that would be too close to the trees on each side. These are better suited to bushes. We could plant perennial herbs or veggies. I know this sounds weird but we'd like to keep this area as the fruit. We have plenty of space in the garden for future expansion in there like perennial veggies and herbs, plus I have an idea for a medicinal herb garden that will be elsewhere nearby.
The obvious choice would be more berries and obviously blackberries would make the most sense. However we have dewberries growing wild ALL OVER the property so we don't need those. Raspberries don't grow in our area. Neither do cherries. Gooseberries don't grow here either. We're gonna have fig trees nearby as well. The citrus we want (lemon/lime/orange) are already growing in the middle beds.
We suppose six blueberry plants instead of only three would not be a bad idea in the grand scheme of things, LOL, but it would be nice to have some other fruit back there that grows in a bush form.
Any suggestions for something we might be missing for our "orchard"?
When planting blueberries; You do need at least two for pollination.
ReplyDeleteGrow blueberries in raised beds, ideally 24 inches high, filled with one-third peat moss and two-thirds ground pine-bark mulch. This provides the acidic soil, decaying organic matter and drainage blueberries need. A mature shrub in these conditions can produce 10 to 15 pounds of berries.
Blueberries can tower up to 15 feet tall and 10 feet across. You will need to plant them 6 to 8 feet apart in sun or morning-sun/afternoon shade. Blueberries don't require spraying. But until shrubs are large and productive, you'll need to cover plants to prevent birds from stealing your fruit. The plants are cold-hardy but make sure you get blueberry plants that will grow best in your area.
Blackberries would also be a good choice and maybe check on growing grapes as well.
Hard to have too many blueberries. They are so good.
ReplyDeleteRight now are you mowing between the orchard trees with your ride on mower? Because if you are once you put in those round circles you're not going to be able to keep the grass down as easy. I suggest moving all six to make a rectangle that you can build a cage around to deer and bird proof. Blueberries in all 6 circles. As KCD said you can't have too many and they are so good for you.
ReplyDeleteThe mowing problem was my first thought also. I love the idea of taking the blueberries out of the orchard and making a separate area for them. Could put the six rounds in a circle, allowing for even better pollination. You can never have too many blueberries, they freeze really well!
DeleteHave you thought of elderberries? Or possibly ground cherries?
ReplyDeletestrawberries
ReplyDeleteWhy not move some dewberries to one of the rings so they are where you can get them easily? Can you mow in there with it more crowded? I didn't realize those rings came in pieces...lol. Blueberries have such nutritional benefits that I would plant all the remaining five rings in blueberries. They are good for fighting off dementia, I hear. And, it appears we need to eat a cup each day!
ReplyDeleteI vote for strawberries. If you mulch them with straw, that will protect them from the hungry birds.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a little girl, my parents grew rows and rows of strawberries to sell to help pay the mortgage for our just-built house. I remember sneaking out to eat some.
Oh, yes! Strawberries would be great.
DeleteStrawberries and asparagus!
ReplyDeleteThe obvious choice would be more berries and obviously blackberries would make the most sense. However we have dewberries growing wild ALL OVER the property so we don't need those. Raspberries don't grow in our area. Neither do cherries. Gooseberries don't grow here either. We're gonna have fig trees nearby as well. The citrus we want (lemon/lime/orange) are already growing in the middle beds.
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