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Cure the blues with the berry best advice

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Talk of Iowa, hosted by Charity Nebbe

Blueberry bushes can be a rewarding addition to any garden, but getting them to thrive takes the right balance of soil, sunlight and care. From choosing the best variety to understanding soil acidity, successful growth starts well before the first berries appear.

On this Horticulture Day episode, Meghan McKinney talks with Randall Vos, Iowa State University Extension horticulture specialist, about the best tactics for growing healthy, productive blueberry bushes. Then, Vos and Aaron Steil answer listener questions about spring planting and how to set your garden up for success this season.

To further grow your gardening knowledge, sign up for our Garden Variety newsletter. And check out all the episodes of Garden Variety, the horticulture podcast for all the things you’d like to grow or grow better.

Guests:

  • Aaron Steil, consumer horticulture specialist, Iowa State University Extension
  • Randall Vos, horticulture specialist, Iowa State University Extension
Meghan McKinney is IPR's<i> Morning Edition</i> host. She holds a bachelor's degree from Missouri State University. Since 2024, McKinney has brought news and features from IPR's reporting team to IPR's listening audience.
Zoe Bentler is a 2025 fall intern with IPR's talk show team and a senior at the University of Iowa studying journalism and sport, media and culture with a minor in dance. She is originally from Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Her favorite things include keeping up with the current fashion world and cheering on the Iowa Hawkeye sports teams.
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