What ’s not to love aboutcontainer gardening ? It brings verdure into spaces that urgently need it , it lets those of us without yards still relish plants , and it has broadened the use of traditional landscape industrial plant through new breeding specifically for little blank . But when the days grow unretentive , theleaves embark on to fall , and you feel that tell - tale temperature pickpocket lease you knowwinter is get along , what can you do for your potted protagonist ?
In this clause , I ’ll be talking specifically about charge for containerized blueberries , but many of these tips can be practice to other Genera as well .
Berries For Containers
At domicile , I keep three container ofblueberries . Blueberries are somewhat fearless plants ; on median they survive USDA zone 3–10 . Be sure to always turn back the works tag to discover the exacthardiness zoneof the variety you ’re purchasing .
Preparing To Overwinter Your Berries
The first thing you ’ll want to do is to discontinue any plant food you ’ve been feeding your industrial plant . Fertilizer encourages fresh emergence , but you want to get your plants quick to go dormant . It ’s best to slue this off by early- to mid - September , depending on your geographical zone . Warmer climate can wait longer , cooler climate can stop earlier .
Many blueberries aredeciduous , meaning they will naturally lose their foliage as the temperatures drop . You ’ll need to leave your containers alone at first so that the works of course go inactive through the fall . Keep an center on your 10 - day prognosis . If you see freezing temperatures approaching or an utmost temperature variation expected , ( something like daytime temperature of 70 degree Fahrenheit plummeting to 30 degrees Fahrenheit overnight ) then you ’ll want to start the overwintering cognitive process .
How To Overwinter Berries In Containers
What we ’re looking to accomplish isprotecting the rootsinside the pot . When berries are planted in the ground , the roots have insulation , but the exposed side of the mountain make for a harsh winter clime for container plant . The following solutions can help :
When to Water Dormant Berries
Throughout the winter , you want to verify the filth in your containers stay moist , but not sop . plant require less water during quiescence than when actively growing . irrigate your plants during the solar day when the temperature is above freezing and with adequate meter for the water supply to soak in before the temperature freeze again at nighttime . If your containers become cover by alayer of snow , result it be . This is additional insulation for your plants .
Preparing Your Berries For Spring
As leaping approaches , keep your optic on the 10 - Clarence Day prognosis again and look up the frost - free date for your Department of Agriculture zone . Once the temperature are secure , you could move your containers back to your desired blank and absent any wrappings . As the temperature warm up , you should start to see dark-green buds forming along the stems of your blueberry plant .
Once you see buds over the majority of the plant , it ’s a in effect meter to expect for any dead stems that are n’t bud up and remove them . Use a twain of cleanprunersand cut the dead stem out at the soil grade . This type of pruningincreases air flow which in number decreases the likelihood of foliation disease .
