Blueberries prefer acidic soil with a pH of 4.5-4.8. A fail-safe way to grow blueberries in almost any soil is to incorporate peat moss into the planting medium. For planting directly in the ground, work up a planting area approximately 2½ feet in diameter and 1 foot deep for each plant. Remove 1/3 to 1/2 of the soil. Add an equal amount of pre-moistened peat moss and mix well. Blueberries like a soil that is high in organic matter, and they tend to prefer a light soil. For these reasons, it is recommended to add 40% peat moss and 10% compost, then the remaining native soil should make up the last 50% . Pine needles, aged compost, sawdust, and old leaves have a small effect on soil pH but the effect generally isn’t enough for the low soil acidity required for blueberries. In summary, blueberries like soil that is:

• Acidic with a pH of 4.5-4.8
• High in organic matter
• Light