How I Amend My Blueberry Soil | Plants Not Thriving

We dream of planting and eating straight from our land, but it doesn’t always turn out that way. Some will plant and hope for the best and I can tell you from first-hand experience that plan does not work. On our new property I have had my struggles with new pests and poor native soil. My blueberries continue to suffer even after taking some steps to correct the soil. In this video, I will attempt to amend the soil for long-term correction. I learned it isn’t easy or quick, but it’s better to start as soon as you can. Let’s try this before taking more drastic measures.
#blueberry #soilph #soiltest #gardening #gardentips
We relocated to a home on one acre in a rural area. We were interested in finding a property that offered true seasons, as well as an easy-going, friendly community leaving the hustle and bustle behind. A smaller, newer home on a well-plotted flat acre free of out-structures to create our own spaces. We planned to develop a large garden, garden shed, hoop house and the ever so long-deserved shop for Doug.
Doug is a do-it-yourself builder and problem solver. He is a creative guy who loves to be busy creating unique pieces from both wood and metal, which include forging and welding. I (Tresa) am a passionate vegetable gardener, providing homegrown food for fresh eating, as well as preserving. I grow all my own seedlings and direct sows, as well as some seed saving. I also grow a variety of berries and recently planted 14 new fruit trees. I love to bake and cook from scratch, providing natural, organic, healthy meals.
We invite you to come along with us on this new adventure by subscribing to our KZbin channel. We’re excited to share our success as we develop our property and food forest.

[@suzannemartin1202]

Good information i love blueberries, so much so that i accept the challenge to grow them. All of your methods look right on but Maybe, when dormant, you can work in better soil in a bigger area for those existing bushes by pulling them up and creating a more acidic environment nutrient mix. I would say compost is another important thing. I have my blueberries in pots where i created a proper soil first before planting. I use sulfur in the spring and vinegar water and compost dressing. I have the Top Hat and North Country which look to be producing a nice crop this year. Good luck, gardening is a challenge, fun when we succeed.

[@homeacreliving]

Thanks for the tip. We’ve talked about pulling them out in late fall and amending the soil properly. Thanks for watching!

[@KimmieAbbasServant]

blueberries need sulfur

[@homeacreliving]

Yes they do! I think I may see if I can find a sulfur with a quicker release. Thanks for your input and watching.

[@PilarFrancisco-Saguil]

I just got 2 blueberry trees from the grower he told me to use peat moss and mix with the existing soil , hope it will be ok otherwise I will bring back the plants for a replacement

[@homeacreliving]

Yep, I understand peat moss is important to lower the ph. I’ve got some in there now but we may just dig them up in late fall and amend the soil properly. Thanks for the tip and watching.

[@andikelly412]

I did not have success for years, then I watched a KZbin university professor who said the soil needs to be 50% peat and 50% pine bark chips, all of which can be purchased at the big box stores. There was immediate improvement and now they are flourishing.

[@homeacreliving]

Funny, I recently read that too so that’s the approach I took when I planted my two new bushes. Thanks for the tip and watching!

[@karissa9111]

I've struggled for years to get my blueberries soil ph at the correct level. The best things I've tried so far is putting down sulfer as early in the spring as possible and feeding them throughout the year with Jacks Acid Special liquid fertilizer, which is able reduce the soil pH more quickly. They have greened up quite nicely this year. Keep us updated on yours!

[@homeacreliving]

Great tip, I’ll check it out. Thanks for watching!

[@ManBearPigLOL]

sulfer early spring. best thing you can do. do it every year if you need to because it takes a year for it to break down and change the ph

[@homeacreliving]

Thanks for the info, and thanks for watching.

[@lauriemayne9475]

Just a suggestion: maybe the wood chips might be adding too much acid into your soil? I may be wrong?

[@homeacreliving]

Interesting, I’ll do some research and see if that is an issue. It does keep the soil nice and moist but I can always switch it out with straw. Thanks for the info and watching.

[@okeafia5630]

Dig them up and put in a container..

[@anneharrington7951]

I don't understand why you grow one variety? I have 11 varieties in my yard. Ohio.

[@homeacreliving]

Well, I didn’t mean to, however so many came in that one bucket that I just planted six. And when I bought the newest plant it was supposed to be a Patriot but my husband grabbed a Duke by mistake, which was fine since my other Dukes are underperforming. So now I have four varieties but will get different ones if I pull out any of the small Dukes. 😊

[@hiltonhillfarms5995]

THANK YOU FOR THE INFO...I'M STRUGGLING WITH MY 4 BLUEBERRY BUSHES, SO THIS DEFINITELY LED ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION OF WHAT I NEED TO DO.

[@homeacreliving]

Fabulous! Thanks for watching.

[@henribg1]

mulch and then plant ground cover over the roots. i use wild lawn daisy. if it is sunny, use something taller like creeping flox. After 2 years you will thank me

[@homeacreliving]

Interesting, I hadn’t heard or read about that method. Thanks for watching.

[@se5594]

I looked on your info for a link to the test but couldn't find it. Where did you get it?

[@homeacreliving]

Sorry about that. I purchased it the first time at Home Depot and my latest kit from Amazon. I’ve used it for several years and learned the soil sample is the key, definitely dig down the 4-6 inches for the sample. Additionally, you can get a little sample from 4-5 beds (areas) and mix them together and then use that soil for the test. When you send a soil sample in for testing they always suggest to get various samples for a general test result. This year, after doing this test, I sent a soil sample in for testing for more exact detailed results. The PH and NPK seemed to be comparable. Like I said in the video, it’s a generalized test for a good starting point. Thanks for watching and your support. Good luck with your testing.

[@chocolate_chip21]

Why not use some synthetic liquid fertilizer to feed them this year while you wait for other stuff to break down?

[@nolosswes]

Won’t feed the soil

[@ManBearPigLOL]

@@nolosswes it will feed the soil but the plant will not be able to take it in

[@homeacreliving]

Thats definitely an option, though I’ve never used a synthetic product in any of my gardens. I stick to an organic methods. Sometimes that can be frustrating when there are other options out there but I try to exercise patience and trust in the process. I just think I wasn’t assertive enough with the blueberries from the get-go. Thanks for your suggestion and watching.

[@Shakerhood69]

Peat Moss, Sulfur, and wood Chips helped mine.

[@homeacreliving]

I recently read something about adding wood chips. I’ll try that on the two I’m planting this week. Thanks for the tip and watching.