What Soil for a Blueberry Bush?

Soil Preparation

• Blueberries thrive in soil that is rich in organic matter. Humus lightens clay soils, and it adds structure to sandy soils. To increase the humus content, add compost, peat or chopped leaves to the planting hole, mixing completely with the soil and extending the humus well beyond the immediate reach of the transplanted roots. Blueberry bushes can live for 30 to 50 years, so plant them in good soil at the beginning.

Drainage

• Proper soil drainage is important for blueberry bushes. Although blueberries need ample water, make sure that water does not stand at the base of the plants. Soggy roots will develop rot or disease which will kill the bush. To check your soil for appropriate drainage, fill a 1-foot-deep hole with water. If the hole is empty within 60 to 90 minutes, the drainage is fine for blueberries. If your soil is heavy clay and it drains slowly, add humus to increase the air spaces in the soil to improve drainage.

Soil pH

• Blueberries need acid soil. A soil pH test should read between 4.5 and 5.6. You can buy a home soil test kit, or use your local extension service. The extension agent can tell you how to take a soil sample correctly if you are unsure of the process. The acidity level for blueberries is comparable to the requirements of azaleas and rhododendrons; if these plants grow in your soil, so will blueberries.

Soil Amendments

• To lower the numbers of your soil pH test, which will raise the acidity, add powdered sulfur. To lower the acidity, you want to raise the soil pH test reading; mix powdered limestone with the soil. Retest the soil after incorporating amendments, and continue to adjust until the test results are in the proper range. Your local extension agent can offer advice to help you determine the proper amounts of amendments to use.