Growing Out The Box

Growing Out The Box

Garden Blog

Tips, guides & inspiration for the community gardener

9 articles

Community garden with raised beds full of blueberry plantsRaised Beds
May 28, 2025·7 min read

How to Grow Blueberry Bushes in Raised Beds

Raised beds are one of the best ways to grow blueberries — you control the soil pH, drainage, and root environment from day one. Here's everything you need to know to get started with a thriving blueberry patch.

#raised beds#blueberry#soil pH
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Ripe Sweetheart blueberries on the bushBlueberry Growing
May 14, 2025·9 min read

Sweetheart Blueberry Bush: A Complete Growing Guide

The Sweetheart variety is a Northern-Southern hybrid that delivers two harvests per season. Learn about its chill hour requirements, ideal companion varieties, and how to maximize your yield.

#sweetheart#northern highbush#southern highbush
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Hands harvesting fresh blueberries from a potted plantHarvesting
April 30, 2025·5 min read

Harvesting Blueberries: Tips, Timing & Storage

Knowing exactly when to pick your blueberries makes all the difference between tart and sweet. We cover the visual cues, the "roll test," and the best ways to store a bumper crop.

#harvest#storage#timing
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Vego raised garden bed filled with growing plantsProducts & Gear
April 12, 2025·6 min read

Vego Garden Beds: Are They Worth It for Blueberries?

We've been growing blueberries in Vego's 17" tall corrugated metal beds for two seasons. Here's our honest take on durability, soil volume, drainage, and whether the price tag is justified.

#vego garden#raised beds#product review
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Gardener examining soil and seedlingsGarden Tips
March 25, 2025·8 min read

Getting Soil pH Right for Blueberries (4.5–5.5 Is the Sweet Spot)

Blueberries are notoriously picky about soil acidity. A pH that's even slightly off can lock out nutrients and stunt growth. Here's how to test, adjust, and maintain the perfect range.

#soil pH#acidic soil#amendments
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Vibrant overhead flat lay of fresh garden vegetablesGarden Tips
March 10, 2025·6 min read

Companion Planting With Blueberries: What Works and What Doesn't

Some plants are blueberry's best friends — others compete for nutrients or alter soil chemistry. We break down the best companions, from alfalfa cover crops to acid-loving perennials.

#companion planting#alfalfa#garden design
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Gardener tending to raised beds in a community gardenHarvesting
October 18, 2024·4 min read

Fall Garden Tour & Harvest — Growing Out The Box

Join us for a walk through the GOTB garden at peak fall harvest. We're pulling in blueberries, tomatoes, and herbs — and sharing what worked, what didn't, and what we're planting next season.

#fall harvest#garden tour#seasonal
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Ripe orange fruits on branches with green foliageBlueberry Growing
September 5, 2024·10 min read

Cross-Pollination 101: Pairing Blueberry Varieties for Maximum Yield

Most blueberry varieties produce more fruit — and larger berries — when cross-pollinated. Learn which varieties pair best, how far apart to plant them, and why bees are your secret weapon.

#cross-pollination#varieties#bees
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GroundWork 0.5 gal. Poly Tank Pump SprayerProducts & Gear
August 20, 2024·5 min read

How to Use a Pump Sprayer for Blueberry Bush Care

A good pump sprayer is one of the most versatile tools in your garden shed. From foliar feeding to pest control, here's how to get the most out of a 0.5-gallon poly tank sprayer.

#tools#sprayer#pest control
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