The Wild Report: Field & Garden

The Berry Garden Project

This season, I’m beginning The Berry Garden Project with the first blueberry planting of the season. For this first build, I planted two Patriot blueberry plants and one Duke blueberry plant in container pots, creating the start of a berry-growing space that I’ll continue to build on throughout the season.

More berries and companion plants will be added as they arrive, and I’ll be sharing updates along the way. By early summer, the garden should be fuller, more colorful, and buzzing with even more life. I’m excited to document this season’s progress and share how it all comes together. See below for materials used.

Materials used:

  • 5-gallon blue bucket — used as the main outer container

  • 1.75-gallon inner nursery pot — placed inside and upside down to save on soil and make the 5-gallon bucket lighter, while still helping with drainage.

  • Drill and drill bit — used to make drainage holes in both containers

  • Red Solo cup — used to scoop and pour soil into the bucket

  • Acid-loving soil — used as the main planting mix for the blueberries

  • Pea gravel — added at the bottom for drainage

  • Pine bark mulch — added on top

  • Holly-tone fertilizer — used to feed the blueberry plants

  • Tomato cage — added for support

  • Patriot blueberry plants — two planted

  • Duke blueberry plant — one planted

  • Water — used to thoroughly soak and settle the planting