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Vegetable garden questions #876465

Asked July 09, 2024, 10:09 AM EDT

Hello, I am wondering if someone can help me figure out what is wrong with my blueberry bush and my grape plant. I bought two different kinds of blueberry bushes and planted them last fall: one was a vaccinium sunshine blue and the other was a chandler blueberry. The one on the right did not produce any berries, and looks really sad. Should I do something to the soil or do I need to add a specific kind of plant? The grapes were here when we moved in 3 years ago, and while leaves grow every year, they only produce a handful of small hard grapes and the leaves look like they are eaten by some kind of pest. Is this salvageable or should I plant something new? This garden gets afternoon sun. Thank you for any guidance!

Orange County North Carolina

Expert Response

Hello, one more question. I inherited this asparagus patch when I moved in three years ago. It had probably been established for 3-5 years before that. The first year we had a spring harvest that was pretty decent (and you can see how healthy the stalks were about this time last summer when I had to remove all these mushrooms growing underneath. I did not get much of a harvest this past spring, and the brown stalks are what the asparagus patch looks like now. Is there anything I can do for it at this stage to help have a better crop next spring? If some has died, can I add new asparagus to it at this stage or any companion crop that will help it grow better? Thanks

The Question Asker Replied July 09, 2024, 3:15 PM EDT

Where are you in Orange County?


i recommend you schedule a home visit. 

Blueberries require acid soil. I suggest you take soil samples to get a baseline and augment soil according to soil sample. 

If you haven’t pruned your grapes, they won’t produce very well same for blueberries. 

Call during work week to schedule appointment. 

My cell is<personal data hidden>. 

R/mart

I hope this helps. Replied July 09, 2024, 8:49 PM EDT

Thanks so much! I tried calling the number you shared, but it wouldn't go through. I'd appreciate scheduling a home visit. Is there a cost associated with that? I live in Chapel Hill, NC. Thanks!

The Question Asker Replied July 10, 2024, 9:36 AM EDT

 Sorry about that...I fat fingered the wrong number. 


<personal data hidden>.

I hope this helps. Replied July 11, 2024, 4:24 PM EDT

Thanks so much for coming out to visit Friday! If you wouldn’t mind sharing the link to the gardening info and reminding me the name of that tool for loosening the soil I’d really appreciate it.

Also, I took six soil samples. Where do I bring them? And are there specific hours during which I need to drop them off? About how long does it take to hear back the results. Thanks!

The Question Asker Replied July 14, 2024, 10:46 AM EDT

Drop samples at 1020 US 70 W, Bonnie B. Davis Ag Center, Hillsborough, NC 27278.  (we are across from the DMV drivers license office) north of town.  

You can drop samples off 24/7.  There is a red toolbox outside the front door.  Place samples in the plastic tote on top along with the submission form.  We will drop the samples at the lab and the lab will email you when the sample is ready with the results.

Results talk about 2 weeks once we get samples to the lab. 

Here is the link we discussed.  https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/home-vegetable-gardening-a-quick-reference-guide

https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/central-north-carolina-planting-calendar-for-annual-vegetables-fruits-and-herbs

Here is a link to the NC Master Gardener Handbook. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/extension-gardener-handbook#

I hope this helps. Replied July 15, 2024, 1:15 PM EDT
Got it. Thanks so much!

On Mon, Jul 15, 2024 at 1:15 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied July 15, 2024, 2:01 PM EDT

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