Growing blueberries in Fairfax County (Alexandria, Dale City: for sale, tenant, live)

[Joke Insurance]

I am considering getting this product:

Blueberry Kit Deal of the Day | Groupon

I looked at the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map that they provided, https://groupon.s3.amazonaws.com/spo...nes_300dpi.pdf but I unfortunately don't understand it. If any of you fellow gardeners in the area can help me "decipher" the map and let me know if the area is good to grow those blueberries, please let me know.

Thank you

[Jeanie Beanie]

You'd be in the hardiness zone 7a or 7b depending on your altitude. Not sure about the types of blueberry bushes you're potentially getting, but some varieties are bred to be more cold-hardy, but that is not a problem in Northern Virginia.

My daughter lives in Alexandria and is planning to put in some blueberry bushes. Blueberries are attractive bushes with pretty red foliage in the fall and the fruit is such a treat to pick & put on your cheerios in the morning. Get a couple different varieties and enjoy. Good luck

[CAVA1990]

Some varieties are better suited than others to our climate. You can determine that here:

Blueberry Plants from Stark Bro's - Blueberry Plants For Sale

I put in my Mount Vernon zip code (zone 7a) but you can sub in yours. Right now is a good time to plant.

[Fredesch]

Blueberries are native to Fairfax so you can grow them. I had volunteer blueberry bushes when I lived in Dale City. The problem you may have is the birds are native too and are willing to take less ripe blueberries than you are. Consider growing amelanchier instead. They have blueberry like berries and in my opinion produce more fruit than blueberries and are just as good. You will have the same problem with birds eating them early, but with a significantly larger crop, it is less of a problem.

[ACWhite]

Birds, squirrels, etc., stole my blueberries and raspberries before they were fully ripe! You may need to build a structure to keep them out.

[PolandSprings]

Make sure to plant at least two varieties of blueberries as this will increase your output. Also, you will not have a great output the first year so don't be discouraged. You will have more in future years.

[Joke Insurance]

I don't think I'd have to worry much about birds and squirrels because I have a deterrent or should I say two deterrents; I have two cats

[ACWhite]

Joke, Fairfax Co. prohibits you from letting your cats roam, so unless the berries and the cats stay in your fenced yard, watch out!

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/...ass-letter.pdf

"... Upon receipt of this letter, if your animal
comes on my property again, they will be in
violation of Fairfax County Code 41.1-2-15,
“Permitting animals to trespass,” which is stated below:

Section 41.1-2-15. Permitting animals to trespass.
The owner of any animal, after being re
quested by the owner or tenant of any
premises not to permit the animal to tres
pass upon such premises, shall not allow any
such animal to go upon such premises. (26-04-41.1.)..."

[Joke Insurance]

Originally Posted by ACWhite

Joke, Fairfax Co. prohibits you from letting your cats roam, so unless the berries and the cats stay in your fenced yard, watch out!

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/...ass-letter.pdf

"... Upon receipt of this letter, if your animal
comes on my property again, they will be in
violation of Fairfax County Code 41.1-2-15,
“Permitting animals to trespass,” which is stated below:

Section 41.1-2-15. Permitting animals to trespass.
The owner of any animal, after being re
quested by the owner or tenant of any
premises not to permit the animal to tres
pass upon such premises, shall not allow any
such animal to go upon such premises. (26-04-41.1.)..."

I didn't think my post was to be taken seriously. Regardless of that, they never leave the property. And I'm not sure how often this act is enforced but that is for another topic all together.