I’ve had the worst time trying to grow my own blueberries, even varieties that grow well here. Mostly due to my ignorance on the subject and the fact that my soil is a mess from decades of farming before we moved here. After researching, I may have to dig them back up again and keep them in pots where I can control them better. At least until I can better prepare the soil where I want them to grow permanently. I’ve got access to tons of organic materials on the back of my property, it’s just a matter of reclaiming that area to get access to the pine straw and bark.

What really helped my research was the fact that my wife loves Gardenias and on our excursions to lowes to buy marked down or clearance plants, she always grabs some flowering things while I’m looking for edibles. If I don’t incorporate her selections into the food forest, I’ll have a mutiny on my hands and quick. However, she tends to select things that require a ton of maintenance; whereas I’m looking for things that don’t. Azaleas are supposed to be similar in requirements as blueberries and gardenias but they don’t seem to care as much and are flourishing only a dozen feet away from where i planted the blueberries.

The big difference between the gardenias and the azaleas and blueberries is the sunlight requirements, which is giving me fits right now. They all seem to have the same organic materials and ph requirements, though. Figuring out this balance will be a huge milestone for me, I think, but I’m determined. I’m planning on using your guild method to accomplish this, smack dab in the middle of three types of persimmon.