Visually I prefer photo one, where the pots are in line, but that's just personal taste. Are you asking the question because you plan to plant them in the ground? They will do much better than in pots, as they will be thirsty and hungry plants.
Is that a path behind them? If so, I'd say they are too near to the path if you plan to put them in the ground. The mature bushes will get to be a reasonable size, and will end up hanging over the path. This might mean you need to prune them, which you should avoid, if you want a good quantity of berries. The paving slabs will also create a dry spot that the roots won't like, so I'd move them about another half a metre or so away from the path.
Your spacing between the pots is fine if you are planting them in the ground, but if that shed will shade the plant nearest to it, then I would move that particular plant a bit further from the shed, as they like full sun.
- Try to add some ericaceous compost to the planting holes - Remove all turf/grass for about a metre in diameter around each plant, or it will compete for water/nutrients. A bark chip mulch around each plant will also help - Try to only water them with rainwater, and to feed weekly in Spring/Summer with an ericaceous liquid feed (or granules)
The options are because I prefer 1 but the third bush to the right would be trying to partially block the natural route into the garden, whereas in 2 there is a gap to walk between rather than brush past
Yes, a path - I hadn’t considered dryness from that, thanks
The idea is more to line the path than produce crop, I just like having plants that remind us where things come from
Shed, I’m more concerned they’ll get too much sun as this is SE facing and it gets cooking hot in Kent in summer, I suppose 2 exposes them more
I have the ericaceous and rain water at the ready, but the clay will likely limit growth and fruiting anyway
Unless your soil is naturally quite acidic they may well struggle to survive. In an alkaline soil they will not be able to absorb nutrients. Adding ericaceous compost to the area will have little effect.
I keep mine in pots and they are in full sun (when it's out) 365 days a year and they thrive. I only use rainwater and feed once a month when they're growing with Azalea feed
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
It's a good start and don't they taste good! I didn't get much the first year from my 3 plants, but now get plenty between June and end of August. I picked the last few yesterday and now have to wait until June next year for more
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
They look great Joe, and you've still got plenty to harvest. I eat quite a few whilst picking them and those I pick to put on my porridge I just give a quick rinse. I did try freezing them, but when defrosted they loose their perfume and are pretty tasteless, so I been gorging on them this year - one of the perks of the job
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Not a single berry this year. A couple of shrivelled bumps on top of one plant. Ran out of stored rainwater months and months ago so have been using tap water.
Do I move them to a more shady spot or chalk this up to the 2022 weather and let them be?
JoeX
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Is that a path behind them? If so, I'd say they are too near to the path if you plan to put them in the ground. The mature bushes will get to be a reasonable size, and will end up hanging over the path. This might mean you need to prune them, which you should avoid, if you want a good quantity of berries. The paving slabs will also create a dry spot that the roots won't like, so I'd move them about another half a metre or so away from the path.
Your spacing between the pots is fine if you are planting them in the ground, but if that shed will shade the plant nearest to it, then I would move that particular plant a bit further from the shed, as they like full sun.
- Try to add some ericaceous compost to the planting holes
- Remove all turf/grass for about a metre in diameter around each plant, or it will compete for water/nutrients. A bark chip mulch around each plant will also help
- Try to only water them with rainwater, and to feed weekly in Spring/Summer with an ericaceous liquid feed (or granules)
in the ground
The options are because I prefer 1 but the third bush to the right would be trying to partially block the natural route into the garden, whereas in 2 there is a gap to walk between rather than brush past
Yes, a path - I hadn’t considered dryness from that, thanks
The idea is more to line the path than produce crop, I just like having plants that remind us where things come from
Shed, I’m more concerned they’ll get too much sun as this is SE facing and it gets cooking hot in Kent in summer, I suppose 2 exposes them more
I have the ericaceous and rain water at the ready, but the clay will likely limit growth and fruiting anyway
Thanks for your detailed post
I keep mine in pots and they are in full sun (when it's out) 365 days a year and they thrive.
I only use rainwater and feed once a month when they're growing with Azalea feed
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
I didn't get much the first year from my 3 plants, but now get plenty between June and end of August.
I picked the last few yesterday and now have to wait until June next year for more
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
How do you wash them Pete? I just rinsed them round in the bowl four or five times.
I eat quite a few whilst picking them and those I pick to put on my porridge I just give a quick rinse.
I did try freezing them, but when defrosted they loose their perfume and are pretty tasteless, so I been gorging on them this year - one of the perks of the job
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Not a single berry this year. A couple of shrivelled bumps on top of one plant. Ran out of stored rainwater months and months ago so have been using tap water.
Do I move them to a more shady spot or chalk this up to the 2022 weather and let them be?