Garden Troubleshooting with Grumpy
Gardening Blueberries Demands Awareness of Hardiness Zone Significance
In this week's episode, Grumpy helps a listener struggling with recalcitrant cucumbers and introduces the Plant of the Week - blueberries.
Cucumber Dilemma
"Last year, my cucumbers climbed like champions on tall cages in my raised beds. This year, the ones I planted are just lazing about."
Grumpy explains that there are essentially two types of cucumbers: climbing cucumbers (vining) and bush cucumbers. Climbing cucumbers, much like slinky vines, cover up to 25 square feet and need support like trellises or cages for growth. Bush cucumbers, on the other hand, form short, bushy mounds that don't need support and are poor climbers. Unfortunately, it seems Lorraine has ended up with the latter this year.
To avoid such mix-ups, Grumpy advises careful seed packet or plant label checks before planting.
Plant of the Week: Blueberries
Blueberries come in two primary varieties, depending on your climate zone:
- High Bush Blueberry thrives in cold, long winters, like those in the North.
- Rabbiteye Blueberry grows best in the South, where summers are scorching and winters are mild.
Grumpy shared some personal experience with these berries: Although he once bought three blueberry bushes, two failed to thrive, while the remaining one continues to churn out berries every year.
For the best results, it's essential to choose the suitable variety based on your location. Furthermore, know that high bush blueberries are self-pollinating, while Rabbiteye varieties require cross-pollination with another variety for fruit production.
About Ask Grumpy
Hosted by Steve Bender, a.k.a. Southern Living's Grumpy Gardener, Ask Grumpy offers practical advice on what to grow, when to plant, and how to manage garden challenges. Tune in for short episodes every Wednesday and Saturday to hear Grumpy answer reader questions and solve seasonal conundrums with his distinctly humorous style. Follow Ask Grumpy on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to catch each episode.
- In the latest episode of Ask Grumpy Podcast, hosted by Steve Bender, also known as Southern Living's Grumpy Gardener, he provides advice to a listener who is facing difficulties with their cucumbers, suggesting the issue might be due to planting bush cucumbers instead of climbing ones.
- As per the Plant of the Week on Ask Grumpy Podcast, blueberries come in two varieties: High Bush Blueberry, which thrives in cold climates, and Rabbiteye Blueberry, ideal for Southern regions.
- home-and-garden enthusiasts who enjoy the Ask Grumpy Podcast can learn about various gardening topics, including lifestyle tips and tricks for managing gardening challenges, from Southern Living's Grumpy Gardener, available on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.
