I ended up putting blueberries and raspberries in their own area. My yard is long and narrow.my garden was along the lot line, the sunniest spot in our northwoods area. The neighbor rebuilt and regraded so his water all runs our way. Thought extra moisture was good. Reality it leached nutrients from the sandy and closer to that edge more plants struggled. Solution to both sand or clay is more compost. An expert from Grit magazine suggested a berm along that north lot line. I dug a trench, burried woody debri and half rotten logs to catch and hold moisture then covered with compost and soil. Planted a variety of shrubs and small trees, honeyberries need less acid soil, are shallow rooted and tolerate a little shade, aronia is very hardy and tolerates both wet and drought. Saskatatoon is new to me and has been tucked in. Hardy roses (tied to fence) All are more well behaved The shrub border also helps difuse cold air drai ing down hill and reflects heat from the south. Im trying to eliminate the few raspberries i had let in. Too aggressive and spread and grab at me when working in a long narrow space. I have to have 6 foot fences around everything because of deer. Sometimes even that is t enough. Keep spaces looking full. If they see someplace to land, they will jump 6 '. We had several did that in our berry garden and when i startled walking past in the dark some jumped out, some kicked at the gate till they smashed it down. The best thing I did for my veggies was to start raising rabbitts. (Not in garden unless they're caged) their droppings are the only manure safe to add directlly to your veggies. Ive read to consider them little pellets of peat a d slow release fertilizer. You can compost all your weeds and tree trimings in a year in a pile or in a day thru a rabbit. 50 years of gardening and still learning. Enjoy your adventure!
