MossflowerWoods,
Basically, the main issue with planting blueberries is getting the soil Ph right. They love a nice acidic soil that will dissolve iron for them which they need in copious amounts. If you are going to plant a hedge of blueberries--I have something similar--I would first collect as many pine needles as I could and just lay them down on the ground in a nice large windrow. The longer they sit there, the better. This by itself will probably not do the whole trick for you but you will have a start.
When you go to actually plant, get some nice sandy loam with plenty of organic matter if possible and also consider a drip irrigation system as these little guys do NOT like to be dried out. You will also have to add an acidifier. Ammonium sulfate works nearly instantaneously but can cause issues with fertilization, even if it is a natural fertilizer like the Epsoma brands. Elemental sulfur will also get the job done but it takes longer, lasts longer and in my own opinion is the better alternative. You will want to do a very thorough Ph check before you plant, but when you do, rake off the pine needle windrow dig your hole, add your amended soil and recover with the pine needles. You may even wish to add some sulfur away from the drip zone as it will eventually become available to the blueberry plant. The pine needles will act as an excellent weed inhibitor as they will tend to make the ground too acidic for all but the hardiest of weeds. They will also act like any mulch and tend to keep the soil moist but not soaking. Some weeds will get through, but they come out easily and don't tend not propagate themselves.
Check nursery catalogs carefully for blueberry plants that are suitable for your area. Most Blueberries love a cold climate, but I live in Southern Illinois which is farther south than St. Louis or Washington D.C. Nonetheless, you can find blueberries that grow as far south as Florida. Also, when planting, do NOT fertilize. Most growers recommend not fertilizing until the second year. When I do fertilize, I use the Epsoma acid fertilizer--works like a charm.
One last item. I mentioned it before, but these plants are really picky about soil moisture, especially in their early years. I have ordered from a company called Dripworks and they sell every conceivable type of irrigation product. I use a type called the Katif emitter that was apparently pioneered by Israeli farmers growing strawberries in the desert. These emitters are pressure regulated so they emit the same amount of water regardless of height differential or run length and cost a mere 25 cents apiece (I use ones that run 1/2 gallon per hour--a nice, steady, slow drip). I don't want to sound like a catalogue, salesperson or advertisement, but my experience with them has been excellent. These emitters have allowed me to keep my soil moist but not soaking in virtually every type of weather--rain, or more likely in our area, blistering heat of summer combined with months-long drought.
I hope this helps you. Those needles do come in very handy and will help to maintain a consistent Ph, but you certainly want to check up on them in the first couple of years. As they start to rot and break down, the blueberries will send their shallow roots right into the crumbly material. Good luck on your project and thanks for your concern regarding my health. I sincerely mean that last statement as these comments on this board have helped me keep going and get my strength back
SI2305
