Software
Houzz Logo Print
bomber095

Blueberry soil... anyone!?

16 years ago

Everything I am reading suggests that they will grow well in soil formulated for azaleas. I dont doubt it as they both like acidic soil. I plan on growing them in a half whiskey barrel, but I am having a hell of a time finding a commercially made soil for such a purpose; only a bunch of home made recipes...

Can someone point me in the right direction?

Comments (5)

  • 16 years ago

    You could go to Rhododendron, Oregon, not too far from Government Camp, near Mount Hood. I don't know if its legal to dig soil in the national forest, though. Some folks grow blueberries in 100% peat moss, which they fertilize with Miracle-Gro, or something similar. I have had success growing blueberries in our local soil, amended 50% by volume, with compost, made from shredded maple tree leaves. Since we have calciferous soil here in Madison, Wisconsin, I have to add agricultural sulfur to lower soil pH.

  • 16 years ago

    Here's what I use....

    MY BLUEBERRY SOIL MIX

    1 Part Perilite.
    1 Part Potting Soil.
    2 Parts Small Pathway Pine Bark.
    2 Parts Sphagnum Peat Moss.
    1 Tablespoon Cotton Meal per gallon.
    1 Teaspoon Granulated Garden Sulfur per gallon. Could be more if the pot is small but mine are in 15 gallon pots..
    1 Tablespoon Granulated Ironite per gallon.
    1 Tablespoon Down To Earth All Natural Fertilizers 4-3-6 Acid Mix per gallon.

    After they start leafing out I fertilize every 2-3 weeks with Miracid For Acid Loving Plants at about 50% of the recommended dose. I give them a small drink of water just before and just after I fertilize so I donÂt shock the roots. Not sure how necessary that is but thatÂs what I do and it works for me.

    If the leaves start to turn red-ish I water them with a mixture of 1 Tablespoon white vinegar to one gallon of water and that usually does the trick.

    To stay on the safe side stay away from fertilizers with nitrates and donÂt add any calcium or lime to your soil mix.

    I plan on adding a small hand full of Granulated Garden Sulfur and Cotton Meal under the mulch each dormant season to maintain the PH.

    The plants are nice and healthy growing well and producing fruit so I guess they must be happy.

  • 16 years ago

    The Dave Wilson web site (which has excellent videos b.t.w.) has a video on planting blueberries in containers. They give a recipe of 1/3 acid based potting soil, 1/3 peat moss and 1/3 small/medium bark. I haven't tried this mix personally, but if you watch the blueberry videos you'll probably be a believer.

  • 16 years ago

    coastalguy you forgot to say that they used.....

    Sphagnum Peat Moss which is different than peat moss.
    Small sized pine bark.
    Acid based potting soil.
    Cotton Seed Meal.
    Feather meal.
    Fish Meal.
    Granulated soil Sulfur.

    Notice step #3 in the link says.....
    http://www.davewilson.com/homegrown/promotion/bluecontainer.html

    "Step 3:
    Â Never use fertilizer with
    nitrogen in nitrate form!!
    It can kill.,,"

    Here is a link that might be useful: Dave Wilson video.

  • 16 years ago

    Just use a LOT of peat moss. Remember to wet it first. I soak it in buckets of water before potting up. I'd mix it maybe 50/50 with compost or soil... They'll grow just fine in a half whiskey barrel with that formula.