Those who garden in the Pine Barrens of South Jersey are well acquainted with the region’s special challenges. We work to improve the structure of our sandy soil, neutralize its perpetually low pH, and supplement its lack of nutrients. We accept that some areas would be habitually dry without regular irrigation, while others are habitually wet. No problem! We know what to do and we’re proud of that.
We compost, amend, lime, fertilize, and mulch. Sometimes we add water and sometimes we drain it away. And sometimes, when we’re really savvy, we grow things that love our sandy, acidic soil just the way it is – things like, you guessed it – blueberries and cranberries!
Often, we think of these berries in a historic context. Blueberries, cranberries and Concord grapes are the only fruits native to North American soil. The Native Americans depended on them for food and medicine and generously shared them with the settlers. Later on, blueberries and cranberries became cultivated crops and an important part of the Pinelands economy. Today, we can still buy delicious, Jersey fresh blueberries and cranberries. What’s more, we can easily enjoy them in our own backyards!
Blueberries: Planting and Care Highlights
Not only are the fruits delicious, blueberries are great shrubs. Pest resistant and highly ornamental, they have delicate, pinkish-white flowers in the spring, crimson leaves in the fall, and lovely canes of supple, red bark. Vaccinium angustifolium, the lowbush blueberries, tolerate drier soils and have the smallest, but some say sweetest fruit. They produce a pint of berries per foot of row and form a low hedge. Vaccinium corymbosum, the highbush blueberries, are moisture-loving and are usually preferred for home gardens. Popular varieties such as Bluecrop, Bluejay, Earliblue, and Patriot range from 2-6 feet high and bear from 5-20 pounds of fruit per bush, depending on the variety. For those with limited space, the hybrid Dwarf Tophat bears full-sized fruit on a pint-sized plant, is self-pollinating, and grows comfortably in a large pot. Note: while Dwarf Tophat is self-fertile, some high bush blueberries are not. Planting at least two different cultivars is necessary to cross-pollinate those that are not self-pollinating and will help increase the fruit size and yield in those that are.
Blueberries require moist, well-drained, acidic soil (pH 4.5-5.2) and full sun to partial shade. They should be watered frequently or grown in a wet area. Apply ½ – 1 lb. of balanced, high-nitrogen, organic fertilizer per plant, depending on the size. Mulch well to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect shallow roots.
After blueberries have begun to produce, thin out several of the older canes each year to direct the plants’ energy more effectively and provide improved air circulation. Trim overly thick, twiggy ends and cut shrubs back when too tall for convenient harvesting. Prune in late winter, fertilize in early spring and re-mulch. Berries ripen from mid-to-late summer. After fruit-set, cover the bushes with mesh for bird protection, or be prepared to share the wealth. When the berries become ripe, birds can harvest the entire bounty within a day. For peak flavor, begin harvesting after the berries have developed a powdery-white coating.
Cranberries: Planting and Care Highlights
Vaccinium macrocarpon, the American cranberry, is also overlooked in home landscaping. Although commercially grown in bogs, cranberries needn’t be flooded in order to grow. They do appreciate a boggy home-setting, but grow nicely with overhead watering as well. Cranberry plants are rugged, but look delicate and form a lacy, evergreen ground cover with pinkish-white spring flowers and scarlet, autumn fruit. And don’t worry, if the fruit is too tangy for you, the birds will enjoy it!
Cranberries contribute a happy surprise to a muted, late autumn landscape, and ahhh, the magic of gathering juicy blueberries to dress up your cereal on a warm, summer morning. Best of all, they both love it, right here at home in the Pine Barrens.