If your blueberrysoilpH is too high, you need to lower it. The best way to do this is too add granular sulfur to the soil. About 1 pound (0.50 kg.) of sulfur per fifty feet (15 m.) will lower the pH one point. This will need to be worked or tilled into the soil. The hardest thing about planting blueberries is acquiring the proper soilpH that these acid-loving plants prefer. Learn the importance of growing blueberries in a site with an acidic soil that meets the blueberry plant’s pH requirements. Lowering a soil's pH to the desirable blueberry range of 4.2–5.0 can be a challenge if its pH is 7.0 or more. As members of the Rhododendron family, blueberries require acidic (lowpH) soil, preferably in the 4.8 to 5.5 pH range. When soilpH is appreciably higher than 5.5, iron chlorosis often results; when soilpH drops below 4.8, the possibility of manganese toxicity arises. My friend is trying to figure out how to lower his soilsph levels to optimize berry production.Too much calcium in the soil can make it nearly impossible to lowerPH enough for blueberries. Bottom line, do NOT add calcium. If you want to grow blueberries, the first thing you should do is test the soilpH of the site to see if the soil is acid enough to support blueberries. Unfortunately, lowering the soilpH is not quick, cheap or easy. Lowering the soilpH is a slow process that may take years. Before planting, take a soil test. Apply wettable sulfur (90% S) if pH is above 5.3 for rabbiteye blueberries or 5.0 for highbush blueberries. Use 1.0 pound (2.5 cups) per 100 square feet on sandy soils to lowerpH by 1 unit (for instance, from 6.0 to 5.0). Blueberries require a lowerpH than many other fruit and vegetable crops. Before planting blueberries, test the soil to determine the pH level, as well as amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and organic matter present. Blueberries thrive in soil that is acidic. The soilpH should ideally be between 4.0 and 5.0; soil that isn’t acidic enough will stunt growth. Soil can be acidified by mixing a small amount of granulated sulfur into the soil several months before planting. Blueberries prefer to grow in lowpHsoils, so we have been experimenting with different soil mixes and fertilizers to create an acidic environment for the blueberries to grow in. We have also been moving potted plants into the greenhouse during the winter forcing early berry production. Home gardeners can lower their soilpH by adding sphagnum peat moss to the soil. Sulfur can also be used to acidify the soil.Aluminum sulfate should not be used to acidify the soil as large amounts of this material can be toxic to blueberry plants. Blueberries require a soilpH of 4.0 to 5.3 for best growth. The primary material recommended for loweringsoilpH is finely ground wettable sulfur. Since sulfur reacts slowly and must be converted by soil bacteria, the change in soilpH is brought about slowly. BlueberrypH level requirements are lower than most common garden plants. Most soils aren’t acidic enough for optimal blueberry growth. It's a good idea to use a soilpH level test kit to know how much you need to lower the soilpH. Blueberries crave acidic soil. The “sweet spot” they are looking for is a soilpH between 4.5 and 5.5. Some varieties can tolerate a pH as low as 4.0, but the 4.5 to 5.5 range is the gold standard for nutrient absorption and overall plant health.
