Types of Soil Blueberries Prefer

Soil pH and Acidity

• Blueberries grow in acidic soil with a pH between 4.0 and 4.5. A soil test performed prior to planting indicates the pH level and the amount of amending necessary to bring it to the correct acidity. Sulfur, available from garden stores, helps improve acidity but it must be applied at least three months before planting so it has time to work in the soil. Soils with the wrong pH range cause blueberries to produce foliage and berries poorly and eventually causes the plants to decline and die.

Soil Quality

• Soil rich in organic matter that drains well provides a suitable growing medium for blueberry plants. Blueberries cannot tolerate standing water and wet roots, so avoid beds where water pools or creates muddy soil after irrigation or rainfall. Adding compost or peat moss to the bed prior to planting helps improve proper drainage, while adding the necessary organic matter to the soil. Compost and peat amendments may affect the pH of the soil and should be added prior to or at the same time as sulfur amendments.

Nutrient Needs

• Soil tests also indicate the amount of nutrients in the planting bed, providing a detailed guide to what fertilizers are necessary at planting. A general-purpose fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 analysis, provides enough nutrients for healthy blueberry growth in most beds when added just before or at the same time as planting. Follow the recommended amount from the soil test, but most beds benefit from the addition of 10 oz. of fertilizer for every 100-foot blueberry row.

Soil Maintenance

• Acid fertilizers help maintain both the acidity of the site and the nutrients in the soil so the blueberries continue to thrive. Fertilizers labeled as azalea fertilizer work well for blueberry plants. Performing a soil test before fertilizing gives the most accurate guide for the application rate needed, but applying the fertilizer at the package recommended rate is usually satisfactory if a test isn't performed. Maintenance fertilization takes place just before the plants begin blooming, as late-season fertilization can cause a flush of tender growth that is prone to frost damage.