Last updated on March 29th, 2018
What do blueberries, rhododendrons, and azaleas have in common? They all want acidic soil! To keep my tiny blueberry patch in happy (and productive) health, each spring I pour acidifying halos around the shrubs. The details:
If your soil is naturally acidic, with a pH of 4.6 to 5.5 (as determined by a soil test), you’re good to go, as far as blueberries are concerned. Otherwise, if your soil is alkaline, or “sweet,” meaning its pH is 6.0 or higher, you’ll need to amend it.
And speaking of amendments! I keep hearing that pine needles and oak leaves will lower the pH of soil, and make it acidic. But that old wives’ (husbands’?) tale was debunked by scientists several years ago. Unfortunately, the myth persists.
Now, before we add our acidifier, let me offer you 7 tips for blueberry success:
Tip #1: Consider the real estate. Although blueberries will grow in part shade, they will grow even better in full sun.
Tip #2: Before planting, work plenty of organic matter into the soil. I added shredded leaves and peat moss to my boxwood-edged bed.
Tip #3: Never plant just one shrub! Cross pollination of different varieties will give you more and bigger fruit. I grow early-, mid-, and late-season varieties.
Tip #4: Even if it pains you to do so, remove flower buds the first two years after planting. Otherwise, growth will be slow, and the shrubs will never amount to anything. I speak from experience.
Tip #5: After three years have passed, winter-prune while the bushes are dormant. Pruning forces the plant to produce extra fruiting branches. Click here for pruning advice from Ohio State University.
Tip #6: Mulch the bed with 2- or 3-inches of…something. Over the years, I’ve relied on shredded leaves, pine needles, and wood chips to mulch my blueberry patch.
Tip #7: Provide adequate moisture. Blueberries, like most plants, prefer 1-2 inches of water per week.
Now back to the topic of this article — acidifying the soil. I love Espoma’s organic Soil Acidifier. It contains sulfur, derived from elemental sulfur and gypsum. You can buy the product at most garden-supply stores. To save a few bucks, I order it directly from this online source.
Application is a breeze:
First, grab a measuring cup…
And fill it with the acidifying granules.
Then pour the granules in a circle around the drip line of each shrub. The drip line is the outermost edge from which water would naturally drip. Feeder roots are concentrated there.
Rates. For young shrubs, use about 1 1/4 cups acidifier. For larger shrubs, use 2 1/2 cups. Repeat the procedure every 60 days or so, or until you achieve the correct pH for your blueberries — 4.6 to 5.5.
Watering-in. To move the amendment from ground level to feeder roots, just water it in with the spray attachment on your garden hose. Or, let spring rains wash it down.
When you are finished, your shrubs will gush with gratitude.
And what do I do with my blueberries besides shoveling them into my mouth?
I turn them into these screamingly-delicious Blueberry Bars (here’s the recipe)…
And this Frozen Blueberry Yogurt Pie (here’s the step-by-step)…
And this divinely-decadent “Buckle” (get the recipe).
Was this article was helpful to you in some teeny-tiny way? You can let me know by leaving a comment.
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Elaine Hawkes says
I tried blueberry bushes a few years ago and the deer nibbled them down to non-existence. Any way to grow them where deer live? Besides fencing?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Welcome, Elaine. You could try edging your blueberry patch with boxwood, just as I did. Boxwood is toxic to deer.
Judy says
I have eight plants in pots that I need to get in the ground. You tips are timely! I have a box of sulfur the nursery recommended. It works wonders, even for potted plants.
Roxie says
Very helpful info. I have alkaline soil but now know how to grow plants that flourish in acidic soil. Thanks!
Theresa says
My five blueberry bushes are a few years old now and so covered with blossoms…I can’t wait to see the crop this year. The local U-pick blueberry farm uses a good dumping of saw dust around their blueberries, so last year I asked a neighbor with a small sawmill for saw dust from oak wood and spread a generous amount around each of my plants.
I do have my blueberry bushes fenced with netting, because there are way too many deer passing through my yard every day.
I can’t wait to try your recipe for Blueberry Bars! Thanks Kevin.
Debra Bowles says
Sand soils also help. My Ohio blues are thriving at the edge of the sandbox. Looking forward to berries this year.
Faye says
Thanks for posting the fact sheet about pine needles and for the “how to” for using the sulphur.
Bobbi Lively says
Thank you so much for your gardening tips. I never knew the pine needle acidifier was debunked. Although my hydrangeas are planted under pine trees, I never knew why they didn’t turn blue. Now I know.
Bobbi Lively says
Thank you so much for your gardening tips. I never knew the pine needle acidifier was debunked. Although my hydrangeas are planted under pine trees, I never knew why they didn’t turn blue. Now I know.
Sarabeth says
Hi Kevin! thanks for the acidifying tips! As for pesky deer – and we have herds of 10-15 here — I swear by Milorganite. It is a fertilizer with just a slight odor that dissipates quickly to our human noses but the deer can still smell. Keeps those pests away from my rhodies, azaleas, tulips and — even my huge 110 foot long hosta walk! I apply it every two months or so — it fertilizes, helps to break up clay soil and most importantly – repels deer! (Inexpensive, too. Available at most garden centers in big bags.) Hope someone finds this helpful.
paula k says
when we mulched the blueberries we got an invasion of Meadow Voles living under the mulch! they dug all under the blueberry bushes and we lost two of them. needless to say we no longer mulch. Perhaps the voles were smart enough to know the blueberries were in a chicken wire “cage” and they were safe from the hawks in there?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Sarabeth – Thanks for the Milorganite-as-deer-repellent tip!
cathy says
thank-you kevin
finally, instructions from start to finish. perfect.
Elizabeth Espeland says
Wow, thanks for this post! I want to someday have blueberries when I finally get out of the renting apartments stage of life, so this list is very helpful for keeping in mind what I will need when that time comes. Thank you again! 🙂
SueEllen says
Wow Kevin, This is so amazing! My husband and I were just talking (last night) of the condition of our Blue Berries. You just answered every concern that we had!!
For sure it is going to pain me deeply to take the buds off but I am following your wise advice.
Looking forward to trying your Blueberry Buckle recipe…. even if I have to go out and buy some store blueberries.
Thank you Kevin. I always look forward to my Sunday tea reading your blog.
Have a fantastic week! SueEllen
Joy says
A note on Milorganite….yes, some people do swear by it for deer repellent but beware using it on your edibles. Even though packaging recommends it’s use I would steer clear of anything that comes from sewage sludge. Like I said even though newer packaging….you’re not going to get me using it where it can be absorbed by my fruits and vegies! Look into Plantskyd granules, not a fertilizer but an excellent repellent for a large assortment of the wildlife whose territories We invaded!!
Marcy says
Perfect timing! we just added blueberries to our urban farm garden late last season. Thanks for tips and recipes!!!
Sandi in Pike Road, Al says
Any hints on how to keep the birds away? It is so much trouble to put bird net. Bush is 6 ft hard to pick under it and still birds will find away in sometimes when I think it is all covered.
stephanie says
I was looking forward to the first berries from my blueberry bushes this year, but I guess I’m going to have to follow your advice and pick the buds off. Going to make me sad for sure, I was looking forward to trying my blueberries! Especially the pink lemonade variety…… But I will soldier on in hopes of bigger more fruitful plants in future!
Sheri says
Great tips Kevin! Thank you!
Jan says
Thanks for the great tips on growing blueberries. I have two plants that I have been torturing in pots. I kept thinking that I needed to get large pots and buy some soil that blueberries could grow in. I thought I couldn’t plant them in the ground, because of our alkaline soil. I now know what to do – thank you!!! I also messed up and didn’t remove the blossoms the first year I bought the plants (last year). I hope they will be able to recover.
Judy P says
Kevin, in view of trying to do every organic, couldn’t we just put a weak solution of water/vinegar around our bushes? I don’t have blueberries, but I did have 2 azalea’s just up and die after two years of being beautiful. And as for the deer, a friend of mine said to put dog hair around things you want the deer to stay from. He brushes his dog all thru the winter and esp. in the spring when they start their warm weather shed and saves the fur in bags, then he puts the hair along the borders of his garden. The deer can smell “THE DOG” and won’t come near it. He replaces it a few times during the growing season.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Jan – You might consider putting your blueberries in the open ground now, while the shrubs are itching to grow. Just be sure to acidify the soil with sulfur first. If you have peat moss on hand, you could work it into soil, too, along with the sulfur. Once in the ground, I’d definitely disbud the plants. This way they can focus their energy on making strong root systems. Good luck with your project!
Hi Judy P – A solution of vinegar and water will acidify the soil, but only for a brief time. Better to use organic sulfur. And thanks for the dog-fur-as-deer-repellent-tip!
Rauni Haapamaki says
I pour diluted buttermilk along the drip line. Works wonders.
Jenny says
Hi Kevin – thanks for your informative growing pointers for blueberries. I have two plants growing but they are in shade. This explains the lack of fruit. Plants would be 3 years old – can I safely move them and when would be the best season to move these please?
Noelle Finley says
HI Kevin, I am thrilled that I found your website. I am a newbie novice gardner. Last year my 7 year old and I built one lone raised bed together and grew amazing tomatoes and cucumbers. Over the winter months we expanded to 6 raised beds and we have everything from lettuce to herbs and zucchini! we are so excited but still learning. We have 3 blueberry plants….when you say to remove the flower buds should I just snap them when I see them? I also used your vinegar trick for weeds inside the garden fence and it worked like a charm! What should I do with the weeds that are dead on the ground? should I just leave them. Sorry for all of the questions!
EJ says
Oh good grief. I wish I had gotten these tips 3 years ago when I put my blueberry bushes in. SIGH. At least I had seen enough to get multiple bushes. To make the treats you provide the recipes for, I have to buy blueberries – but it’s better than NOT making the goodies. Thanks for all the info & treat recipes – as well as pictures.
jean says
Hi Kevin,
Does the same apply to blackberry bushes? My grandson who is 3 loves blackberries with a passion so I thought I might try to grow some for him. I have cream colored with a hint of rose color raspberries that bear twice a year and never make it into the house when the grandkids are over which is why I planted them. I do hope the blackberries do as well. Thanks for the great tutorial.
Beverly, zone 6, eastern PA says
I am so glad to see the old wives’ tale of Pine Needles debunked in print, right here.
For many years I’ve used piles of needles all around my vegetable beds and nearby annuals/perennials. Needles are a beautiful, harmonious color and rainfall seeps right through to the ground. ( Other mulches are too thick to allow light rainfall to reach the soil below.)
I value them so much I am willing to take my wheelbarrow and rake to the neighbors 3 doors down. I clean up the lawn under their majestic white pines, toting freshly fallen loads back to my place and dumping them in a safe spot for winter storage. I mulched the pea patches with these lovely needles in late March.
Visitors remark about the uniform appearance of needle mulch. When it breaks down in the third summer, it lands on the compost pile, completing the cycle. And needles are FREE.
Libby O says
Thanks for the tips. Good to know about the pine straw as that is what I use and now will amend my soil with the fertilizer you suggested. Looking forward to this season’s harvest. I love blueberries and will try your recipes. They sound delish.
Annie says
Would these instructions apply to raspberries as well?
Monica Mathern says
Growing up in NJ, we used to pick wild blueberries. I just planted two bushes in my suburban MD yard. Now I know better how to nurture them. Thanks for all the great ideas on so many topics.
Debbie says
OOOOOOOOOOOH! This (blueberry bushes) is my “next” venture. I put in 4 dwarf fruit trees so far this year – two more to plant…. and I have an area of ‘full sun’ that is {{{screaming}}} for blue bushes. Oooooh ho ho YESsssssssss!
Thank you for the tips
Joanne Toft says
What can you tell me about the new blueberry bushes that are developed for pots? I have overexposed one to start this year? Should I pull buds on this one?
Becca says
Very useful, thanks. I am sad to learn I will have to wait three years for berries yet happy to know I can collect my neighbors oak leaves for mulch!
Bambi says
Thank You for the info on Blueberries! This is my first season in Nebraska, and my housemate says blueberries would not grow for him. I enjoyed a bounty of blueberries in Minnesota, so I knew it wasn’t the growing zone. Thanks to you, Kevin, I feel empowered to move forward plying the parameters of our patio with a variety of blueberry bushes!!! 🙂 And my mouth is watering over your recipes! Hugs
bill says
for nice big blueberries got to prune, i know from experience. totally worth it. by the way, mine are in raised beds with wire mesh on the bottom so voles cannot get to them. use bird netting on poles (with tennis balls on top of poles) for bird netting. birds love those berries. i just freeze them, they stay great for months.
Karyn says
I will definitely show this article to my hubby. We love blueberries but haven’t had great luck at growing our own. We have 2 bushes that are about 2 years old, they seem to be rather slow growing, but we have also picked a few berries off them. We should have just removed the blossoms to let the plant get more attention to growing. We fertilized with azalea food so maybe they will take off this year. Thanks for the recipes! I so look forward to your Sunday posts. Thanks for all your help Kevin.
Mary in Iowa says
As was mentioned above, Milorganite is made from sewage sludge. What isn’t mentioned on the package is that it contains heavy metals. I wouldn’t recommend using it around edible crops. I think someone was concerned that Espoma acidifier isn’t organic. It is made with elemental sulphur (NOT aluminum sulphate) and is approved for organic growers.
When I planted four bushes 5 or 6 years ago, I dug in copious amounts of peat moss, pine bark, pine needles, coffee grounds, oak leaf mold, composted citrus peels from 80 lemons, Espoma acidifier, etc. In short, just about every recommended addition known. After suffering the disappointment of pouting blueberries, and having the deer do drastic pruning jobs, I’m ready to throw in the towel. I dug up two the deer decimated this winter and potted them. The two others are heavily budded, so I’m letting them do their thing for the time being. I’m considering putting them all in a raised bed where the starter soil can be made heavily acidic and maintained. Blueberries are very shallow rooted, so a raised bed should work. Or so I theorize before giving it up as a failed experiment. They were planted in a 6×10 ft. bed next to the foundation, and I suspect the lime in the foundation mortar may be leaching into my carefully acidified soil. If the raised bed idea doesn’t work out I will go with Mother Nature and forego planting what doesn’t like our native neutral soil. Mother knows what works, and blueberries are not native here.
Diana says
Thanks for the tips on the blueberries. I have 2 bushes and now will attend to them per your instructions above. Going to try your blueberry recipes also…I have learned so much from reading your blogs….
Hoosier Gardener says
Did Bill really mean it when he said he just freezes the birds, and that they stay great for months?
Hoosier Gardener says
Note: Avoid using aluminum sulfate to acidify soil. After a few years, the soil will be poisoned and plants will suffer.
Bobbi says
You have just inspired me to change a bed of mine into a blueberry patch! Thanks. I always love your newsletters.
Carolee says
Thank you once again Kevin,
I live in southern California. It has been a challenge to grow blueberries, but I may have a crop this year after trying for five long years. I am using the same soil acidifier as you, and have three varities. I will try using a mulch of peat moss with wood chips over the top to help hold in the precious moisture.I also have blackberries, boysenberries, and raspberries on a trellis behind my garage, just like mt Grandmother “Gameo” did.They are looking good too, with many small berries already showing on the blackberries.
I am trying a gluten free diet, which seams to help shed inches, even at my ripe old age!
Do you have or know of any recipes or conversion ideas for alternative flours to wheat?
Love your blueberry recipes, am determined to try them!
A fan in Chula Vista,
Carolee
Samantha Gray says
Thank you for the blueberry info! My daughter and her husband who live in Cape Charles, VA, are avid gardeners and about 2 years ago planted blueberry bushes. While their crops have been good, they have complained they could have better ones, so I’m sending this article on to them. Then I am going out for my Sunday run on our favorite little farm stand-cum-bake shop-cum-gift shop for their scrumptious blueberry biscuits. Please tell us you have a really good recipe for them. Mine come out too crumbly or don’t really taste like blueberries no matter what I do. Except sometimes I end up with grey batter… that’s why the weekly Sunday run.
Janet says
Hoosier Gardener, I think Bill freezes the berries, not the birds! 🙂
Peggy T Rickard says
Wonderful Information.
Nancy Tauber says
Love your website, Kevin. I don’t have enough sun or space for blueberries, but love them, so the recipes are great.t One large Nikko Blue hydrangea stays blue in my yard through your recommended product. It’s the pride of my garden.
Linda A says
I’ll say it’s helpful, Kevin, and very timely! Last year I planted blueberries in a large pot.
Growth was good but no berries. This year, berries are forming! Seriously, I have to end their life? (Actually, I did read that someplace before but I preferred staying in denial. Thanks for the reality check. Guess I’d better purge those promising berry bumps and give them ’til next year.)
I didn’t know these bushes do better with another blueberry variety nearby. So guess I’d better get busy planting another and sprinkling some of your suggested acidifier around both of them.
So, thanks much, Kevin! All good tips!
Trudi says
THANKS for the tips ! i did not debud my berries the first years nor did i trim them back when dormant. and i have had a loooong wait. This year the branches are loaded with flowers so MAYBE i will get some before the birds do. The recipes make want to find a way to protect the berries from the birds for sure! Gosh i love you site!
polly says
Could you share the proper pruning method please
alannah says
Very helpful news about the soil acidifying “haloes”, thanks.
Sandra Hutchison says
I’ve read that another way to help acidify and feed your blueberries at the same time is to do the same thing with cotton meal. (Still a good idea to use the sulfur before you plant to get the pH right.)
Janet Metzger says
so…..
this is not a good place for blueberries, too hot.
blackberries do well here. hopefully I will pick one up this week. BUT at least I know how to treat the blueberry! 3 years!
Tank you for the tips!
Janet
Mary W says
We use pine straw under our bushes and they never did real well. Now I know why. Thanks for the info and the English Muffin recipe. Gotta get baking.
Merry says
Was curious about milorganite, and Wiki notes its the solid from sewage sludge from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District. Just a heads up about it. it is certified for general use on farms by the EPA but not certified for USDA organic farms. It releases nitrogen gradually. However, phosphorous is bound up by aluminum and iron. It is tested regularly for toxic and pharmaceutical residue, but did not say how those were dealt with. Anyone know if blood meal is also a good deterrent? Really like the boxwood idea Kevin!
Margo says
My neighbor gives me her coffee grounds which I just toss on the ground around my zone 10B
blueberry bushes. They are LOADED with blueberries!
Barb says
Have lots of coffee grounds – will try that.
Can’t wait for all the good fresh stuff!!!!
Marie says
The previous homeowner planted 3 blueberry bushes…now a year later…thanks to you I know a lot more about how to care for them.
Tracy says
I wouldn’t use Milorganite anywhere near edible plants! Who knows what pharma products are in human sewage, etc. No, nope.
Susan Bankard says
Too funny.
Robin says
Hey, Kevin! Thanks for the reminder- I have a new soil test test to try out that I forgot I bought. I use the same stuff on my blueberries that you recommend.
Do you cover yours in the winter? I’m in SE Michigan, zone 5-6 mix.
For those who want to protect from birds, try square Tomato cages or make ones from the chicken wire with the big squares, then put bird netting over that.
Debra says
Very Helpful!
With the addition of a few BB bushes this Spring – any and all info /guidance is GREATLY appreciated! NOW I’m going to look from different season bushes (I didn’t realize there were) and now I can amend my soil to be SURE they grow right.
THANKS KEVIN!
Julie Culshaw says
I am moving from Nova Scotia (blueberry capital) to middle Ontario this summer. From wet not hot summers to dry hot ones. Can I grow blueberries in the new place? it is sandy soil, and the place is full of pine trees. Raspberries grow well there, perhaps I should just stick with what works?
Robin says
Search for ones that grow in your zone. You didn’t say exactly where in Ontario you were, but here’s some info on blueberries that grow in zone 4. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-4/zone-4-blueberries.htm
Linda McCaughey says
To know the cultural requirements of any plant, you need only to look at where their native cousins grow in the wild. Blueberries are native to places with organic, naturally acid soil and a generous supply of moisture. True, some cultivars have been bred to be less picky; but in places with dramatically different growing conditions, blueberries can require a long period of patient soil modification. Changing a neutral ph of 7 to something blueberries like is something that cannot be accomplished in one season. I live in corn/wheat country (Kansas) on predominantly clay soil which sits on a 10 mile deep limestone formation–definitely NOT what blueberries like. And yet–there are U-pick blueberry farms in the area; so, it can be done. In the meantime, plant something similar that is native to your area to enjoy. In my part of the country, a good choice would be Aronia, a native packed with antioxidants. Because it is a native plant, it has the added benefit of being a host for our pollinators that live here.
Dee says
Can’t do the blueberry bushes…..little room at my condo,,,,,could you do plant pots? Anyway heading definitely to the buckle..!!
Gabriella says
Thank you Kevin, your recipes & gardening wisdom are wonderful, I wish I was your neighbor! This year we bought 5 blueberry bushes from DiMeo Blueberry Farms in NJ. Their instructions were that the soil must be 4.8 pH to have blueberries. Ours was 6.0 ph. They instructed if our soil was not the correct acid conditions to do the following : dig a hole the size of 3 bowling balls. Remove the soil. Fill in a mix of half peat moss & half coarse sand, not play sand. Their bushes come bare root, not in soil. We planted in this mix with the Espoma around the drip line. Hopefully this will work! Las year we pulled off the blossoms off our other bushes, it was painful! Thank you Kevin, love these recipes!
Debbie says
I need to get my soil tested! I am moving my blueberries to my nearly IMPOSSIBLE hillside for full sun. I am excited for “next” year! Thanks, Kevin!
Susan Guagliumi says
Wish somebody had mentioned the chipmunk problem – wth a solution. We have 24 blueberry bushes inside a screened area to keep the birds out. They were loaded with berries last year and whenever we were about 2 days away from picking, all there ones disappeared. We finally saw where the little stripers were getting into the house, but when I tell you we picked not one berry last year, I am not exaggerating. They got every last one. So – now I am acidifying again and hoping for the best. Will see if some Milorganite bothers them and may set some HaveAHeart traps to be sure – can’t poison because (1) don’t have the heart for it and (2) have pets and neighbors with pets.
Lyzz De Giovanni says
you are the best. I do not grow blueberries but now I know how. Thanks
MOliver4u says
I think I lucked out! I planted two blueberry bushes in sandy, rocky, acidic soil some 10 years ago because it was the only space I had. One of them makes berries up the wazoo but the other not so much. Here in CA, the sun in spring and summer is punishing and I think the one that thrives gets a lot more shade…that’s the main difference I can see between the two.
I will take soil Ph and see if they need any more sulphur love. Otherwise, I will throw down some mulch and hope the all the rain we finally got this winter will help the bush that’s been not as happy:) Love your advice – keep it coming and thanks!
Jay says
Perfect timing, Kevin. We were just talking about planting blueberries a couple of days ago. If we have to wait a few years to get fruit, I guess we’d better get a move on!
Sheila Long says
I am getting 2 3-4 year old bushes. Do they still need to be de-budded?
Tiffany says
Thanks for the encouragement, Kevin. We have finally seen a break from the rain here in SW Oregon. So that means as a family we have been tending to our blueberry patch of 65 plants! This patch was established 4 years ago and is doing great. However, I’ve had the inkling that it was time to re-acidify the soil. We keep it all very well weeded. Every plant gets a good dose of blueberry fertilizer each spring before the next layer of mulch goes on. The patch is watered by a drip system. This year should be the first year that we get loads of fruit. Prior seasons have yielded joyous sessions of meandering thru the patch eating fresh out of hand.
gloria says
Thank You! I have tried to grow blueberries here in lime infested soil!
Grrrr! However, after reading your article, I think that I will try again in one very specific spot and just nuke it with the acidifier- I mean- follow the directions provided-
Very good and specific advice for those of us not in native blueberry country.
Nancy says
Thank you the information. It has been very helpful. I have two blackberry bushes that have provided lots of delicious berries. I am going to give blue berry bushes a try. Thanks again!
Cindy says
Thank you for sharing your blueberry growing hints. I am going to try some in pots.
Enjoy your post very much
Anne in Vermont, zone 4/5 says
Thanks for the blueberry notes Kevin. I have a question on which I would value your opinion. When we moved here five years ago we inherited six blueberry bushes. Whether there was ever a bed around them i can’t say, but now the grass and weeds are up to the trunks. I know they would benefit from being free of this growth, but I worry about digging because of the shallow roots. At the same time I don’t see myself pulling out all the grass and weeds by hand and if I did, wouldn’t that harm the bushes’ roots too?
Thanks, Anne
Susan M Dollard says
Hi Kevin
Don’t forget your lilac bushes they like acid too.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Susan – Lilacs want sweet (non-acidic) soil. If necessary, amend the soil with lime and potash.
Kathleen says
Hi Kevin. Could you please explain exactly how to winter prune blueberries? I’m in zone five, Eaton Rapids, Michigan. We put four plants in two years ago but I never removed the blossoms. Should I go ahead and and remove them this year and next anyway? Couldn’t find the search button on your website. I’m sure it’s me, not you! How to prune them?! Anyway, I think you’re a pretty special guy. Love your sense of humor. I’ve passed your name around too! Family and friends. Even some waiters I’ve talked with. Because as you can see I talk too much! Thanks.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Kathleen – If your blueberry bushes seem “sluggish,” then yes, my advice is to remove blossoms. This way plants can focus energy on growth, not berry-production. As for pruning, I follow this wisdom from Ohio State University: How to Prune Blueberry Bushes.
Janet Metzger says
Thanks for step by step instructions AND the links!
I followed your steps on mulching the beds and added leaves in Jan. By Feb. 18 the boxes were ready for the first spring planting. Those plants (kale, chard, etc.) are almost finished. I planted sweet potato yesterday; will get okra May 1. The soil is moist and rich; the plants are flourishing. Thank you so much!
Linda A says
Hi Kevin, Well, I’ve followed your advice and waited 2 years, knocking off the
blueberry buds, with the promise of more abundant blueberries in the future.
I failed to buy a 2nd bush of another variety (but still may … just not sure
what variety I should buy because I can’t find the tag on the original I have!! So much
for organization.).
So far, though, I’ve got a zillion new blueberry buds already on the bush here, the beginning of
April. I’m not knocking these babies off so hopefully, I’ll have a beautiful bounty of
berries to harvest. You are teaching me the benefits of patience. Thank you!
Patti Law-Poggi says
Kevin, I have one blueberry in a huge pot, so should I buy another to cross pollinate, or does that only happen in the ground? (May seem dumb to you, but I am new to this).
I know they sell special varieties for both southern and northern California, but I am plum in the middle, the exact center of the state, what variety do you recommend?
Sarah says
Hi there, can I just say that although you’re American and come from a country miles away from where I live (England), I actually found some of your article very useful! Thank you.
Dorothy says
I have 5 blueberry bushes. One had ants all around the base of the plant. I put 2 ant traps out but the blueberry bush looks sickly. What would you recommend to save the bush? Thank you in advance for applying.
Vickie Cook says
Been thinking about planting blueberries, so thanks for all the good info, Kevin!
Jay says
Oh, Kevin. Your timing is excellent! I was just last week admiring all the buds on my new blueberry plants, and now I know I’ll have to debud all of them. Wah! But I’ll do it for the sake of better berries in the future. Thanks so much for this great advice.
Suzanne says
What are “copious amounts” of peat moss, say per plant? Thanks!
Suzanne says
Oops…I submitted a question earlier thinking you mentioned using copious amounts of peat moss, but was mistaken. If you could guide as to the amount per plant, that would be great. I’m a veritable newbie. Thanks.
gthomson says
How close do the blueberry bushes need to be for good pollination with different varieties? I had two varieties about 4′ apart, but one died. I’d like to scatter a few varieties around the yard rather than have a specific blueberry patch. Will they still get the benefits of cross pollination if there is 20, 30, or 40′ between them?
Elaine Smith says
Excellent info! Thank you so much. I have 5 blueberry shrubs and would like them to have the best of care. Your article was a great help to me.
Victoria says
First timer here -I bought three year old bushes from a nursery and planted last fall they’re doing great. I’ve added the acidifier you recommended when I planted them and it’s been six months so I’m due to reapply . However some bushes have lots of green pre ripe blueberries . Can I still apply the acidifier ? I assume we’ll be eating them in the next few weeks and wasn’t sure if it was safe to apply acidifier or to wait until post harvest ?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Victoria – The soil can be acidified as needed — even when plants are fruiting. Enjoy your berries!