Introduction

Companion planting is a gardening technique that involves growing specific plants near each other to enhance their growth and well-being. For blueberry bushes, selecting the right companion plants can provide numerous benefits, such as attracting pollinators, improving soil moisture, and supplying essential nutrients like nitrogen.

Benefits of Companion Planting for Blueberry Plants

• Increased pollination: Companion plants that attract bees and other pollinators, such as mint and bee balm, can help increase fruit production by ensuring adequate pollination.
• Improved soil moisture: Plants like ferns and strawberries have shallow root systems that help retain moisture in the soil, which is crucial for blueberry bushes that prefer moist conditions.
• Nutrient provision: Certain companion plants, such as legumes and clover, can fix nitrogen from the air and make it available to neighboring plants, including blueberries. This can lead to improved plant growth and yield.
• Pest deterrence: Aromatic herbs like mint and basil emit strong scents that repel common garden pests, such as aphids and blueberry maggots, protecting blueberry bushes from damage.

Choosing the Right Companion Plants

When selecting companion plants for your blueberry bushes, consider the following factors:

• Soil compatibility: Blueberries prefer acidic, well-draining soil. Choose companion plants that also thrive in these conditions, such as heather, rhododendrons, and cranberries.
• Nutrient needs: Avoid companion plants that compete heavily for nutrients, as this can stunt the growth of your blueberries. Instead, opt for plants that have different nutrient requirements or that can provide nutrients to the soil, such as legumes and cover crops.
• Growth habits: Consider the size and growth pattern of companion plants to ensure they do not shade or overcrowd your blueberry bushes. Groundcover plants like thyme and chives can be particularly beneficial, as they help retain moisture and suppress weeds without competing for sunlight.

Recommended Companion Plants for Blueberries

Herbs:

• Mint
• Lemon balm
• Basil
• Thyme

Flowering shrubs:

• Heather
• Rhododendrons
• Bee balm

Other:

• Cranberries
• Strawberries
• Borage
• Ferns
• Chives

Plants to Avoid Growing with Blueberries

While many plants can benefit blueberry bushes, there are a few species that should be avoided:

• Nightshades (e.g., tomatoes, peppers, eggplants): These plants have different soil pH preferences and can compete for nutrients.
• Brassicas (e.g., broccoli, cabbage, kale): These heavy feeders can deplete the soil of nutrients and water, harming blueberry bushes.
• Grasses: Ornamental grasses can spread aggressively, crowding out blueberry plants and stealing their resources.

Additional Tips for Growing Healthy Blueberries

• Site selection: Choose a planting site that receives full sun for at least six hours per day and has well-drained, acidic soil.
• Soil preparation: Amend the soil with organic matter, such as compost or peat moss, to improve drainage and fertility.
• Planting: Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and just as deep. Set the blueberry plant in the hole and backfill with soil, tamping down gently to remove air pockets.
• Mulching: Spread a layer of organic mulch around your blueberry bushes to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
• Watering: Water your blueberry bushes deeply and regularly, especially during hot, dry weather. Avoid overwatering, as soggy soil can lead to root rot.
• Fertilizing: Fertilize your blueberry bushes annually with a balanced fertilizer designed for acid-loving plants.
• Pruning: Prune your blueberry bushes regularly to remove dead or diseased branches, encourage new growth, and improve fruit production.

By incorporating companion plants into your blueberry garden and following these additional tips, you can create a thriving environment that promotes healthy plant growth and abundant fruit production.

The Promise of a Lost Flavor

In the realm of horticulture, Harry Jan Swartz, a dedicated professor at the University of Maryland, has embarked on an ambitious mission: to resurrect the elusive flavor of the musk strawberry, a fruit beloved by Jane Austen and her contemporaries.

A Historical Delicacy

The musk strawberry, known as Fragaria moschata, was once widely cultivated in Europe from the 16th to the mid-19th centuries. Prized for its intense aroma and unique flavor, it was often mentioned in literature, including Jane Austen’s “Emma,” where it was described as “infinitely superior” to other varieties.

Barriers to Cultivation

Despite its popularity, the musk strawberry faced challenges in commercial cultivation due to its low yield and susceptibility to pests and diseases. Additionally, its unusual pollination requirements and genetic makeup made it difficult to hybridize with modern strawberry varieties.

Swartz’s Quest

Undeterred by these obstacles, Swartz launched a private breeding program in 1998 with the goal of creating a musk strawberry hybrid that combined the desired flavor with the firmness and yield of modern cultivars.

Breeding Strategies

Swartz’s breeding strategies involved crossing musk strawberries with wild and alpine strawberry species, using colchicine to increase the number of chromosomes in the hybrids, and selecting for plants with desirable traits. He deliberately chose challenging growing environments to test the resilience of his hybrids.

The Challenges of Musk Strawberry Breeding

Increasing the size and firmness of the musk strawberry hybrids while preserving their flavor proved to be a delicate balancing act. Strawberry plants produce limited amounts of photosynthates, which they allocate to yield, firmness, or sweetness. Swartz sought to optimize all three qualities, a rare feat in strawberry breeding.

A Decade of Trial and Error

Over a decade of painstaking work, Swartz tasted approximately 100,000 berries, many of them unappetizing, in search of the perfect combination of traits. He meticulously selected seeds from the most promising fruits and grew them into new generations of hybrids.

A Moment of Triumph

After seven years of relentless effort, Swartz finally achieved a breakthrough. He discovered a medium-sized, conical berry with an intense musk strawberry aroma and flavor. This discovery marked a significant milestone in his quest.

Continued Progress

Swartz’s work continued with further crosses and refinements. He identified three musk hybrids with exceptional characteristics and began propagating them for commercial release. He is optimistic about developing a musk hybrid with commercially viable yield, size, and shelf life within the next few years.

The Future of Musk Strawberries

While Swartz’s ultimate goal is to bring the musk strawberry back to the forefront of the fruit market, he acknowledges the challenges of introducing new varieties to consumers accustomed to the bland flavors of modern strawberries. Nonetheless, his passion for the musk strawberry and his unwavering dedication to his craft continue to drive him forward.

Botanical Overview

Hardy geraniums, also known as cranesbill geraniums, comprise a diverse group of herbaceous perennials belonging to the Geranium genus. They are characterized by their low-growing, dense, carpet-like foliage and distinctive cupped-shaped flowers that bloom in a variety of shades. Hardy geraniums are popular garden plants due to their hardiness, adaptability, and long-lasting blooms.

Types of Hardy Geraniums

There are numerous types of hardy geraniums available for cultivation, each with unique characteristics and growth habits. Some popular varieties include:

• Geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue’: Known for its sky-blue flowers and compact growth habit.
• Geranium sanguineum: Features reddish-purple flowers and clumping foliage.
• Geranium himalayense: Produces violet, indigo, and blue flowers in mid-summer.
• Geranium × oxonianum ‘Wargrave Pink’: A vigorous hybrid with salmon-pink flowers.
• Geranium ‘Gerwat’ Rozanne: A prolific bloomer with violet-blue flowers that bloom almost non-stop throughout summer.

Propagation and Cultivation

Propagation: Hardy geraniums can be propagated through division or from seed. Division is the preferred method for preserving desirable traits in cultivars.

Growing from Seed: Seeds can be sown directly in the garden in early spring or started indoors in seed trays. However, germination can be slow and seedlings may take several years to reach maturity.

Potting: Hardy geraniums are not typically grown in containers, but they can be successfully grown in oversized pots with well-draining potting mix. Water sparingly and fertilize lightly.

Overwintering: Hardy geraniums are generally cold-hardy and do not require winter protection. However, in colder climates, it is advisable to cut back stems to just above ground level to remove potential sources of disease.

Common Pests and Diseases

Hardy geraniums are relatively resistant to pests and diseases, but they can occasionally be affected by:

• Slugs
• Mildew
• Rust

Bloom Care

Hardy geraniums typically bloom from early summer to early fall. To encourage continuous blooms, consider the following:

• Ensure adequate sunlight exposure (at least six hours per day).
• Avoid overwatering, as excessive moisture can inhibit blooming.
• Avoid over-fertilizing, as high levels of nitrogen can promote foliage growth at the expense of flowers.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

• Sparse foliage or leggy growth: Shear or cut back after flowering to stimulate new growth.
• Poor blooming: Check for inadequate sunlight, overwatering, or excessive fertilization.
• Invasive growth: Hardy geraniums can spread rapidly in some conditions. Dig out unwanted plants if necessary.

Landscaping Uses

Hardy geraniums are versatile plants that can be used in a variety of landscaping applications:

• Border Plants: They make attractive edging plants due to their compact growth habit.
• Woodland Gardens: Certain varieties thrive in partial shade and can add color to woodland landscapes.
• Rock Gardens: Hardy geraniums are well-suited to rock gardens and can provide ground cover between rocks.
• Mixed Perennial Beds: They weave well among other plants and can help suppress weeds.

Distinction from Pelargoniums

Despite being commonly known as geraniums, Pelargoniums belong to a different genus. They are not hardy and require different care, including protection from cold temperatures.

Indoor Cultivation

Unlike Pelargoniums, hardy geraniums are not suitable for growing indoors as houseplants. They require a dormant winter chill period that cannot be replicated indoors.

Slug Damage and Identification

Slugs, common garden pests, can wreak havoc on your plants. They feed on leaves, fruits, and even seedlings, leaving behind telltale signs such as ragged holes, slimy trails, and bitten-off fruit. To effectively control slugs, it’s crucial to identify signs of their presence early on.

Homemade Slug Control Remedies

• Salt: Mix a strong salt solution in a spray bottle and apply it directly to slugs at nightfall. The salt will dehydrate them within hours.
• Beer: Place open bottles of beer on their sides in your garden overnight. The sweet aroma attracts slugs, who will drown in the liquid.
• Diatomaceous Earth: Sprinkle this fine powder around your plants, avoiding direct contact with leaves. The sharp silica particles will puncture their bodies, causing them to dehydrate.

Organic Slug Control Products

For severe infestations, consider using organic slug bait products. These typically contain iron phosphate, which is toxic to slugs but less harmful to humans and pets.

Landscaping Techniques for Slug Control

• Promote Air Circulation: Improve air flow by dividing and spacing plants adequately. This helps keep soil dry, making it less hospitable for slugs.
• Prune Lower Foliage: Remove leaves and branches that block sunlight and moisture the soil.
• Plant Slug-Resistant Plants: Choose plants that slugs find unappealing, such as ferns, peonies, and lamb’s ears.
• Focus on Drought-Tolerant Gardens: Create a low-moisture environment by selecting plants that thrive in drier soil, reducing the need for watering.

Water and Irrigation Management

• Water in the Morning: Allow soil to dry out before slugs become active at night.
• Use Drip Irrigation: This method provides water directly to plant roots, keeping foliage dry and discouraging slugs.

Natural Slug Predators

Encourage natural predators, such as birds, beetles, and chipmunks, to control slug populations.

Distraction Techniques

• Citrus Rinds: Place old citrus rinds in areas away from plants to attract slugs.
• Cabbage Leaves: Use cabbage leaves as a decoy to draw slugs away from your garden.
• Damp Newspapers: Provide moist newspapers in shaded areas as an alternative hiding spot for slugs.

Copper Barriers

Create physical barriers using copper wire, mesh, or tubing. The copper reacts with slug slime, delivering an electric charge that prevents them from crossing the barrier.

Additional Tips

• Turn Mulch: Regularly turn over mulch to expose slugs and their eggs.
• Avoid Chemical Pesticides: These can harm beneficial predators that help control slugs.
• Use Other Barriers: Crushed eggshells, coffee grounds, and wood ash can deter slugs from crawling near plants.