Style! …. our field
Although quite cute, this piece is not about the fashionable granddaughter. It is however about the style of blueberry field we chose to implement.
The starting point is the plot shown which had served as a sorghum field and a multi-function garden. Some have asked “Why Blueberries?” and the obvious answer is we like them. Simple as that, no deep-rooted marketing strategy outside of the common recommendation of do something you like and you will be much happier.
Our field is a base of red clay. The choices were either to amend the soil to achieve the proper ph, drainage and texture, or build the rows with a medium conducive to successful berry production. We chose the latter. A dozer essentially smoothed our berry canvas and painted it clay red, then we proceeded to lay the rows to paint the canvas blue.
After a long delay due to an unusual rainy season the dozer arrived and began to paint the canvas by removing the remaining stumps and filling in where some debris from hurricane Hugo was sub-surfaced.
As mentioned previously, we opted for a drip irrigated, raised layer of pine bark fines and Canadian peat. The rows were laid north to south for optimum sun coverage. Our field supervisor (below) assured quality control.
It was pretty straight forward from that point.
- Till the peat into the pine bark.
- Space and plant the bushes.
- Add the irrigation lines.
Only one thing left to do!
Lay back and dream . . . mmmblueberries
