Rustic Galvanized Tub For Blueberry Bush

by Texas Homesteader ~

I was able to repurpose an old, rustic, rusted & misshapen galvanized tub to add beauty to our porch landscape. I planted a blueberry bush in it and I love how it looks.

(Note: Some links in this post will take you to other related articles for further information. But links preceded with * are affiliate links. If you click and buy something I could receive a tiny commission.)

Problems When Growing Blueberries

I love blueberries. And I’d love to grow my own. But I’ve planted blueberry bushes repeatedly only to have them succumb.

I guess I’d not paying enough attention to the acidity. So I’d given up on growing blueberries.

Ideal Growing Conditions For Blueberries

Soil Acidity – Blueberries like acidic soil, usually around 4 – 5.6 ph

Moisture Retention – Blueberries have shallow roots and can dry out quickly. Be sure to add mulch.

Sunshine Requirements – Blueberries like 6 or more hours of sunshine daily. Be sure to allow for shadows from buildings/trees/fences etc.

Blueberries In Pots Easier To Monitor

At a plant fair a woman at a plant booth said *Sunshine Blueberry Bushes were semi-dwarf blueberries that work well in large pots. That’s because pots make it easier to moderate and correct the PH levels.

Hummmm…. SOLD!

Galvanized Metal Landscape Theme

I wanted to incorporate the small blueberry bush into our backyard landscaping. We used lots of galvanized metal in our landscape.

We’d planted mostly edibles in two large galvanized water troughs. It looks awesome.

We also use a large galvanized water trough for a rainwater catchment container. So I wanted to plant this blueberry in a galvanized tub. But I don’t want it shiny & new. I want it to look old, with a rustic patina.

Repurposing An Old Galvanized Tub

I salvaged an old rusted galvanized tub we’d found on our property when we purchased it.

The bottom was 3/4 rusted out. The tub was horribly misshapen too. But RancherMan hammered it back into a round (ish) shape again.

I asked him to cut out the entire rusted bottom of the tub. That’d leave it open for the roots of my blueberry bush to have plenty of room to grow.

There was a small spot in the back of the tub was completely rusted out. We used a leftover section of our Bermuda Grass Weed Barrier to close off so the tub would hold the soil.

For my rustic-themed project this old tub will be absolutely perfect.

Preparing Soil For A Blueberry Bush

Blueberries have a few requirements to grow well:

Soil Structure – Blueberries like a light easily-draining soil high in organic matter. Good options are compost, peat moss, etc.

High PH – I added about 40% peat moss to the planting soil & compost mixture to help loosen & acidify the soil.

Patience – It takes months (or years) to slowly balance soil PH. Although not always feasible, it’s ideal to prepare your soil over the months before you even plant.

Planting A Blueberry Bush In A Galvanized Tub

I prepared my soil for my new blueberry bush and planted my semi-dwarf Sunshine blueberry bush. I carefully monitored the soil PH over the following months.

I absolutely love the way this planting turned out! It’s exactly as I’d envisioned it in my head.

Plus I love that I’ve been able to repurpose that old tub that was used by the homesteaders so many years before us. It’s a sentimental part of our homestead’s history.

I really love the old, rustic look of this planting. And my new blueberry bush loves it here too!

Blueberry Bush Care & Maintenance

Maintenance can vary based on your soil type, variety of blueberry bush planted and seasonal weather patterns where you live. Your best source is your local extension agent.

But here’s how I care for my blueberry bush:

Even Watering – I use a *Terracotta Water Spike and a repurposed wine bottle to keep my blueberry evenly watered. (I hand water extra during extreme hot/dry weather.)

Monitor Soil PH – I tried other styles but a *Digital Display Soil PH Monitor is so much easier for me to use.

Acidifying Soil – When my soil PH starts to creep higher I lower it with *Soil Acidifier Granules. I also sometimes mix more peat moss lightly into the top of the soil.

Fertilizer for Blueberries – I use about an ounce *Fertilizer for Acid-Loving Plants in the spring once the buds break. I’m careful to scratch the granules lightly into the soil just around the outside perimeter of the drip line. If needed I add another topping of peat moss now.

Reapply Mulch – Blueberries have shallow roots so keeping a mulch covering the soil helps slow evaporation & also breaks down into more organic matter. Pine needles, shredded pine mulch or shredded leaves are good options.

Since planting it here a few years ago my blueberry bush has flourished. It’s now about 2.5 – 3 times as tall as the photos and filled out beautifully too. And I’ve finally been able to harvest my own fresh blueberries.

Plus, y’all know how I love edible landscaping principles. Just because it provides food doesn’t mean it can’t be a pretty part of your landscape.

~TxH~

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2 thoughts on “Planting A Blueberry Bush In An Old Galvanized Tub”

Sharon Hickerson at

I like this idea. Where did you get the miniature blueberry bush?

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1. Texas Homesteader Post author at
  
  It was at a plant fair with many vendors present. The vendor I bought my Sunshine Blueberry bush from was GoGardenland. So far the plant’s very happy where it is and growing well. I’m hoping to get a few blueberries off of it next year. ~TxH~
  
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~Texas Homesteader~

Working To Provide For Ourselves On Our Texas Homestead

Planting A Blueberry Bush In An Old Galvanized Tub