It’s no secret blueberries are one of my favorite snacks. I love them so much that I grow hundreds of them every year. In the early years I had plants that failed to thrive, plants didn’t die but they never really took off either. Plants would get a few berries each year, way fewer berries than the several pounds per bush people rave about. Something wasn’t right.
Fast forward 5 years and thriving bushes now produce pounds of fruit (when the birds don’t get them). Blueberries require specific growing conditions, prefering soil pH at 4.0-5.0.
I didn’t have these conditions when I started out. By following these tips you can plant your blueberry bushes in the ideal growing environment and succeed with blueberries from the start!
Before you Plant
Learn from my mistakes, know your soil. If you haven’t had a soil test at least measure your soil pH level for your blueberry patch site.
Blueberries like a low pH. Many locations in the Northeast US have acidic soils but some do not. A pH test kit, litmus paper, or a full blown soil test can tell you if your pH is compatible with growing blueberries. If it isn’t follow the next step to adjust your soil pH.
Soil Amendments
To lower pH you can add sulfur or peat moss to your planting hole. I have had good luck using sulfur and it is readily available in my area so its a win win. Some people will use pine needles, coffee grounds or even egg shells in hopes of lowering pH. While these might work in some cases, I haven’t seen any large reduction in pH by using them.
In those first few years I tried these DIY methods of coffee grounds and pine needles but my plants still failed to thrive. Adding at planting or up to a year before planting will pay dividends.
When first adding sulfur to lower your pH only add half the recommended amount at one time. Splitting the recommended application between spring and fall is a good way go. You can even test your soil pH again before the second application. Never apply more than 3 ounces of sulfur per plant. Any more than that can burn plant roots and kill your blueberries.
Applying Sulfur
Applying sulfur at or before planting is your best case scenario but in case you forgot we will go over how to apply sulfur before and after your blueberries have been planted.
Adjusting sulfur when you plant your blueberry bushes is easy. Dig your planting hole and mix the recommended application into the top 6 inches of soil. Sulfur can be added at planting or anytime before.
If your plants are already in the ground simply sprinkle sulfur on top of the soil around the blueberries drip line. Blueberries have shallow roots and once watered in heavily the sulfur will absorb into the soil eventually lowering pH. Sulfur can take up 1 year to completed react with the existing soil. Frequent soil tests may be needed to ensure your pH.
Conclusion
There you have it. Knowing your soil pH is one of the first steps to growing great blueberries. If you have high pH like we did follow these steps to adjust your soil’s pH and get ready to grow great blueberries!
If your are searching for specific varieties to grow check out this article all about picking the right blueberry plants to extend your berry harvest.
Want to plant a blueberry patch at your house or farm? Check out our Instant Blueberry Patch with 6 different varieties that will have you picking berries for 8 weeks or more for summers to come!