Is Hardwood Bark Mulch Good For Blueberries

Blueberries need mulch for healthy growth.

Is hardwood bark mulch good for blueberries.

As long as you scatter a bit of organic fertilizer poultry manure or other nitrogen source over the surface each time you throw on a fresh layer sawdust makes unsurpassed mulch for blueberries. Pine bark is made from the shredded bark of pine trees and is more acidic than most other mulch options making it a great option for using with blueberries. It is important to replenish mulch as it deteriorates. Well maintained mulch can help control weeds and keep soil cool loose and uniformly moist.

The correct answer depends on your site soil and available mulching materials but after trying three blueberry mulches wheat straw over roll out paper mulch 2007 bark mulch over newspapers 2008 and hay over newspapers 2009 we still weren t getting the weed suppression we wanted. Sawdust mulch is a common mulch type that is available in several varieties. It is absolutely vital for them because mulch helps acidify the soil control weeds conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature factors all responsible for healthy growth. Pine bark and hardwood mulches make up just two.

Pine bark is excellent at reducing weed germination and is an aesthetically pleasing option for homeowners. Mulch should be 4 inches to 6 inches deep and cover a 4 foot band of soil centered on a blueberry plant row. Fine textured pine bark mulch is easy to spread but pine straw mulch looks lovely and discourages slugs. You may opt to use any kind of mulch but just refrain from using barnyard manure because of its high salt content.

Blueberry bushes have shallow roots and benefit from a thick layer of mulch. Blueberries need a good feeding in the fall with half the recommended amount of an organic acidic fertilizer. The best sawdust for blueberry mulching.