Growing blueberries requires the right kind of soil, so here's how to prepare your soil before you plant.
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Blueberry ph of soil
Blueberry plants grow best in acidic soil. Aim for a ph of about 4.5-5.5.
This will be too acidic for other plants to grow, so plan accordingly.
How to amend your soil
Amending soil just means to add things to it to help make it better. For blueberries, you will want to add a blueberry fertilizer like this one from Amazon.
For new blueberry plants
Here's what you do:
- Dig a hole that will fit your blueberry plant.
- Sprinkle in about ½ cup of blueberry fertilizer. Then mix with the soil you just dug out. (Make sure to wear gloves!)
- Then, plant the blueberry bush.
- Water thoroughly.
For established blueberry plants
Here's what to do:
- Add 1 cup blueberry fertilizer into the soil around your plant using a garden hand rake and mix it into the soil surrounding your plant.
- Then, water thoroughly.
What else can you add to your soil to change the ph?
Saw dust is another thing you can add to your soil that will help make it more acidic, but it's better if used as a mulch instead.
If you do want to add saw dust into your soil, make sure you also add a Nitrogen fertilizer too!
Your best bet though is this blueberry fertilizer which is designed for what blueberries need.
Blueberry Bushes FAQ
The fastest way is to add an acidic fertilizer to your soil.
Yes! This is a great addition to your soil to help make it more acidic.
For blueberries to thrive, they need very acidic soil. Avoid planting anything that won't do well in this environment like tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, as well as leafy greens like kale and cabbage.
Phyllis says
Thank you so much! My two little blueberry plants are going full sun?
Joanna Stephens says
Yes, blueberries grow best in full sun!