Blueberry Environment

Blueberries are distinct among fruit crops in their soil and fertility requirements. As members of the Rhododendron family, blueberries require an acidic (low pH) soil, preferably in the 4.8 to 5.5 pH range. When soil pH is appreciably higher than 5.5, iron chlorosis often results; when soil pH drops below 4.8, the possibility of manganese toxicity arises. In either case, plants do not perform well.
Blueberries have a relatively low nitrogen requirement and thrive on organic fertilizers. Soil pH also plays a significant role in nitrogen management for blueberries. Research shows that blueberries prefer soil and fertilizer nitrogen in the ammonium form, absorbing and using it much more efficiently than nitrate nitrogen—the form preferred by most other commercial crop plants. 

Perhaps the most common method of lowering soil pH in organic culture is by applying sulfur. Pre-plant incorporation of sulfur to lower the pH to an optimal blueberry range of 4.8 to 5.5 should be based on a soil pH test. Because soil pH is subject to considerable seasonal fluctuation, especially on cropped soils, it is advisable to do soil sampling and testing in winter or very early spring, when biological activity is low. Table 1 provides guidelines for sulfur or lime to raise or lower pH on different types of soil.

Read about Blueberry Health Benefits