Ive read several places not to use aluminum sulfate on blueberries. Ammonium sulfate is whats recommended for blues. I dont know if you really need mulch in WI but I would think a 2 or 3 inch layer of pine bark mulch wouldnt hurt.

I'd still recommend mulch in WI, since blueberries really love putting their roots between the mulch and soil.

Mandolls, you and I are in the same boat, I picked up some blueberry bushes last week and just planted them today. Lots of peat moss, compost, and some fast-acting sulfur, and a few inches of wood chips for mulch. We will see how well they do, I plan on babying them if there is more heat and drought.

I'll add,keep them moist. Brady

Water water ...I'm actually going to plant a tree tomorrow... I just plan on mulching the heck out of it and watering it often...

Ok - thanks. Glad to hear I am not the only one doing this. I have been pretty good about keeping things watered, and the blueberry bed is right next to where I have a potted Fig which I water every other day, so I am sure I wont forget them. I will get some mulch down, i have 3 more bags of the fine pine bark mulch, which should be perfect.

I am assuming that I shouldn't do much in the way of additional fert this time of year? I have some acid lovers fert that I use on my Rhododendrons.

Blueboy thanks for the heads up on the aluminum sulfate.

Im in the same general zone as you, just a few hours north in Ont. Ive planted quite a few things in mid summer here, blueberries being one.

THey are VERY shallow rooted. IT doesnt matter how cool/warm you are, you need to have a good, deep organic multch. Bark is good, same with woodchips, but these can suck up nitogen. I like to use coffee grounds and pine needles. THe coffee grounds supposidly help with acidity (this is somewhat debated), BUT, there is some evidence that it helps iron uptake, which can be problimatic in acidic soils.

I planted mine next to a south wall, so its hot and try. I planted it in straight peat moss, with a good 4 inches of leaves/pine needles/coffee grounds, and what ever leaves and branches I could find. It handled the winter much better then the one I planted in spring.

I ALMOST killed it, but not watering it enough. Im assuming even with the mulch, they are so shallow rooted they need water every few days (3 here when I did it), for the first month to make sure the roots dont dry out. That will be fatal for it. High heat=fast evaporation rates. As long as its in acidic soil, with a deep multch and it doesnt dry out you should be ok.

Thanks - I put about 3" of pine bark mulch on them this morning. We have a bit of a break in the weather. yesterday it was cloudy all day, today partially, with highs only in the mid 80's, and we expect rain on Sat & Sun. Seems like they will have at least a week of moderate weather, and then it is almost Aug, which is the beginning of Fall around here.

I planted a container pear tree today. Just watered it well and plan on putting a thick layer of mulch down. Shouldn't be any issue.