Potting Soil for Blueberries
Growing blueberries provides sweet treats for summer recipes such as pies, cobblers and jams. Blueberries need plenty of sunlight and produce white blossoms in the spring and red foliage in the fall. However, getting the potting soil for blueberries correct can be tricky because the required soil conditions are very specific. Does this Spark an idea?
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pH
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Like almost all fruits, blueberries flourish best in acidic soil. Most fruits are okay in slightly acidic soil of a pH level -- or level of acidity and basicity -- between 5.5 and 6.5. However, the ideal pH level for blueberry soil ranges from 4.09 to 5.0, which is even more acidic. Use a soil probe to collect a sample of the soil you plan to use for growing blueberries and take this sample to your county extension office to have the pH level tested.
Moisture
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Blueberry plants prefer well-drained potting soil. If planting them outdoors, choose a site that is not low-lying or slow to drain in the spring. Keep soil moist during the growing season, particularly around the root zone. If your outdoor soil is not well draining, consider using raised beds that are 3 to 4 feet wide and 8 to 12 inches high, which work well when growing blueberries. Additionally, keep the area around your blueberries weed free.
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Amendments
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Your soil test will indicate what kind of amendments you need to put into your soil to help your blueberries thrive. A suitable potting soil mix for blueberries includes two parts potting soil mix, one part coarse sand or perlite, one part sphagnum peat moss and 1/2 part well-composted manure. The coarse sand or perlite helps blueberry plants retain moisture, food and air. Peat moss absorbs nutrients and then releases them as your blueberries need them. In addition, composted manure supplies nutrients and helps hold them in the soil.
Fertilizer
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Applying an acid fertilizer to the potting soil you use for growing blueberries additionally can help your plants grow efficiently. Use 2 tbsp. of 10-20-10 fertilizer in late spring when working with a new plant, and then add an oz. in early spring and late spring each year thereafter. After adding fertilizer, check the pH of the soil again to make sure it remains acidic enough.
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References
- Photo Credit blueberries image by samantha grandy from Fotolia.com
