Blueberry Zone — Soil Preparation Complete
March 22, 2025 · Crops
After months of soil analysis, pH balancing, and organic matter enrichment, Exwick Farm's dedicated blueberry growing zone is ready for its first planting season.
The Science Behind It
Blueberries are famously demanding — they thrive in acidic soil (pH 4.5–5.5) that most farm land simply doesn't provide out of the box. Our initial soil tests showed a pH of 6.8, meaning significant amendment work was required before a single bush could go in.
Over the past two seasons, we applied:
- Elemental sulphur to progressively acidify the soil
- Pine bark mulch (deep layer) for moisture retention and ongoing pH management
- Perlite and compost blend to improve drainage — blueberry roots are highly susceptible to waterlogging
Zone Layout
The blueberry zone now covers 1.2 hectares of Exwick's eastern plot, divided into three sub-rows to allow for varietal experimentation and staged harvest cycles. This staggered approach means we avoid a single peak-harvest crunch and can move product to market more fluidly.
Varieties Selected
- Bluecrop — high yield, proven export track record
- Duke — early season, strong disease resistance
- Legacy — premium berry size, targets high-value Canadian and EU buyers
Revenue Projection
At full production (Year 3), this zone is projected to yield 8–12 tonnes per season, positioned primarily for export at a wholesale price point of USD 2.80–4.00/kg depending on grade.
Planting is scheduled to begin in May 2025. Stay tuned for our first planting day update.