Lingonberries prefer cool temperatures, or at least not too hot. They need moisture, and in most parts of North America need to be consistently watered in the summer. Planting them in partial shade can help reduce water stress on the plants. This is especially true for newer small plants that do not have established root systems yet.

Think about the type of climate where lingonberries are native too. The Arctic in areas with a marine influence where the summers don't get too hot, and are also not too long so the soil doesn't dry out. If growing in a different climate, you need to make sure they don't dry out in the heat.

Growing lingonberries is similar to growing blueberries, but in some ways more similar to growing raspberries. They like cool moisture. They can take some period of dryness, as long as it's not a hot dryness and the soil doesn't get too dry.

I know lingonberries can grow very well and spread in the Portland, Oregon area. Do the summers where you are get hotter than that? They also do like more acidic and decomposing organic soil, although don't need too much nutrients.

If you are still not sure, maybe some research about how to grow cranberries, which are closely related to lingonberry.

If you do use fertilizer you may want to use one with iron. Acid-loving plants that are not in acidic soil have trouble drawing up iron.

Maybe they would grow better if you mixed some peat moss into the soil. Another alternative is aluminum sulfate to help make the soil more acidic.

I'm in the Great Lakes region. It gets hot in summer but usually not long extended periods of hot and dry. This muggy year has been an exception. Not super hot but very humid, for weeks at a time. We have native cranberries and blueberries, although the cranberries are very rare and are not grown commercially. We don't have lingonberries but a similar plant called "bearberry" or kinnickinnick. It is fussy. I have grown it but never got much fruit which was ok because it is a medicinal plant, not for jams and such. We don't get much fruit on our blueberries either, which is why I was thinking that I maybe could create a special acidic bed for it and the blueberries. With our sandstone bedrock our soil does not get very acid unless there is a special condition. You have to go much farther north into the granite bedrock areas for the best acid soils. I just am wondering what the magic happy ingredient for these plants is? Sandy soil I have ok, moisture but not too moist, ok. Not extended hot and dry usually so that's ok. My soil is thin, so could be lack of enough organic matter, and then there's the acidity, which goes along with that. I would be fine springing for some peat moss for a bed . . . We are working on the organic matter with a lot of composting but it's a new thing on this property at this point.

Yes, the problem may be the soil.

You may have to dig 2 feet down and replace the soil. Mix 40% compost, 35% cheap potting soil, and 25% sandy soil. Something like that. Mix in some aluminum sulfate as well, according to the recommendation on the package. Then after planting put some mulch to cover the soil.

A raised bed could be another answer. Or some combination, like digging down 1 foot and then a 1 foot mound on top.

If you ever see any red color earth, that would be good to add too, since it is high in iron.

The first thing to determine how to grow cranberries is the pH of your garden soil. Cranberries are a member of the Ericaceae family and, as such, are best suited to a soil pH of less than 5. You will want to test your soil to determine pH and also make sure you have very well draining soil, or amend the soil with sand.

The second major consideration when attempting cranberry vine care is irrigation. If you have very alkaline water, this will affect the pH of your soil and may render it unsuitable for growing cranberries.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/cranberry/growing-cranberries-at-home.htm

I find lingonberries quite easy to gorw......as long as you offer the right conditions :-)) Cool summers, acidic soil (~5.0) and consistently moist soil. And prefers some shade, especially in hotter climates. I have used it as a groundcover in several designs and the plant is well suited to the PNW. I'm not sure how well it would like the Great Lakes area.

I live in Vermont, and I put in a lingonberry plant that receives afternoon shade. It too, is languishing. I'm hoping it's because this was it's first year. I watered religiously A LOT! Maybe I'll put some peat moss around the plant come spring.

I would guess that lingonberries prefer cooler or at least shorter summers, like to be well-watered during the summer, and prefer at least moderate levels of humidity. Acidic soil would be preferred.

They can easily take cold winter temperatures.

If you live in a hotter climate, I think better to plant in a spot that will receive shade during the hottest part of the day (maybe 12 to 3). On top of that, lingonberries need chill hours during the winter or they will not grow so well and lack vigor. Again, a spot that is cool and shady during the winter when the sun is at more of an angle in the sky may be helpful if you live somewhere further south. (chill hours are not so much about freeze but duration with lack of warmth)