Acidifying Soil for Blueberries

[kmad48]

I'm preparing to plant about 50 blueberry bushes in a few weeks. Unfortunately, I was not able to incorporate sulfur into the soil last fall to reduce the pH down from 7. I was considering incorporating sulfur into the soil, but also adding some aluminum sulfate to the planting hole for a more immediate effect just in the immediate area. Any suggestions on how much I should add to a hole as big around as a 5 gallon bucket but 3/4 as deep?

 

[Logan]

Welcome to GF
No idea, I grow mine in pots with ericaceous compost

 

[DirtMechanic]

No way to anwer unless you provide the existing pH and the soil type as it relates to density, as clay needs about 1.8 times what a loam needs. But then we have calculators. In any event do not try to suddenly change things, as a acid boundary is never a good thing for a root to meet as it will blunt them. Be gentle, the blueberries are tough enough to survive as you bend the soil profile like an artist, with sensitivity and grace.

 

[headfullofbees]

Peat-based compost is acidic enough.

 

[lifegardener]

Pine needles can help.

 

[DirtMechanic]

Pine needles can help.

Whilst they smell of pine.

 

[Logan]

Can't get pine needles here, have to use ericaceous compost.

 

[lifegardener]

Whilst they smell of pine.

 

[Oliver Buckle]

Oak leaves take forever to rot down, but they are acidic.