Most berry fruit bushes can do without fertilization. The prerequisite is that the soil has been well prepared before planting. Blueberries and cranberries do not require any fertilizer at all. What to consider when fertilizing berries.

Prepare the ground well

The best way to provide nutrients to berry bushes is mature compost. Before you plant the shrubs, you should loosen the soil and work in compost or well-rotted manure.

With such a soil improvement, you can completely do without fertilizing the berries.

The best fertilizers for soft fruit

If fertilizing cannot be avoided, the following fertilizers are suitable:

  • mature compost
  • Rotted stable dung
  • Horn shavings (32.93€) or horn meal
  • Ready-made berry fertilizer (3.94€) from the specialist market

Nettle manure is an excellent fertilizer for many plants. However, you should not treat berries with it. The liquid manure has too high a nitrogen content. Too much nitrogen endangers the berry bushes because it promotes fungal infestation.

You should only use ready-made berry fertilizer from the trade if the soil is very depleted.

Do not fertilize berry bushes with blue seed

Blue corn is a chemical mineral fertilizer that contains a wide range of nutrients. These are released immediately when the fertilizer is distributed among the plants.

In the case of berry fruit bushes, there is a risk of over-fertilization. The shoots shoot up and remain thin and weak.

When should you fertilize?

If fertilization is necessary or you do not want to do without it, it is done before the berries bloom. In principle, you should not add any additional nutrients to blueberries and cranberries.

Some guides recommend a second fertilization before the berries begin to ripen. Experienced hobby gardeners advise against it, as the fertilizer can affect the aroma of the fruit.

It is better to supply the plants with fertilizer again in early autumn. However, this must not happen too late. If the fertilization takes place shortly before the onset of frost, there is a risk that the shrub roots will sprout again and then freeze to death.

tips and tricks

A mulch layer made of leaves, compost or straw is ideal, especially for soft fruit. The blanket keeps the weeds out and provides consistent moisture. The mulch material decomposes over time, releasing important nutrients that significantly improve the soil.

Category:

Vegetable garden