The popular blueberries are extremely sensitive to summer heat, which threatens your crop – find out how to effectively protect them. Discover key watering techniques and a homemade elixir that will not only strengthen the bushes, but also save the fruit from drying out. Don’t let drought destroy your harvest! Check what you need to do to provide optimal conditions for blueberries and enjoy their abundance.
Water your blueberries with this during hot weather. You will strengthen the bush and save the fruit
is one of the most popular fruit bushes chosen for Polish gardens. It is relatively easy to grow, and its fruits not only taste delicious, but are also very healthy. Virtually every owner of a home garden or plot has at least one blueberry bush. Not everyone realizes that blueberry bushes are very sensitive to heat and the accompanying drought. These plants have a very shallow root system. This means that the roots are unable to absorb water from deeper layers of the soil. During drought, remember to water frequently. Otherwise, the tied fruits will begin to dry out and fall off. . Try not to cause puddles to form around the roots. It is best to do this early in the morning. Also check if there are any fruit lying under the bush. If so, always collect them. Fruit on the ground may begin to rot and lead to the development of dangerous fungal diseases. Mulching is also a good idea to protect blueberries against high temperatures. Place a layer of pine bark and grass clippings around the blueberry roots. It will limit water evaporation and prevent weeds from growing around the bush, which may deprive the blueberry plant of moisture and active ingredients from the soil.
Homemade fertilizer that will strengthen blueberries during hot weather
During hot weather, it is worth supplementing with strengthening fertilizers. Homemade nettle conditioner works great for this purpose. All you need to do is pour 10 liters of water over a bucket of fresh nettle and leave it in a cool and dark place for a few days. After this time, the nettle slurry will be ready for use. During hot weather, water your blueberries with it once a week. It will provide the blueberries with the necessary vitamins and minerals. The potassium contained in nettle strengthens the roots and immunity of plants, and also stimulates fruits. Remember that when fertilizing with nettle slurry, it is worth checking the pH of the soil around the bushes. Blueberries grow best in acidic soil, and fertilizer can change the reaction to a more alkaline one. In such a situation, you can sprinkle the bush with a small amount of citric acid.
The most important rules for caring for blueberries during hot weather
- Intensive and regular watering: The soil should be constantly moist, but not wet.
- Acidity of the substrate: Make sure that the water for watering has the appropriate pH (acidic, about 4.5-5.5).
- A thick layer of mulch: Use pine bark, conifer sawdust or wood chips to create a thick layer of mulch around your shrubs. M
- Protection from direct sun: In extreme heat, especially young shrubs may require shading during the hottest hours of the day.
- Monitoring for pests and diseases: Plants weakened by heat are more susceptible to attacks.
