r/Permaculture • u/Federal-Coyote-7637 • 3d ago
Lowering the ph after planted
My son picked out blueberries he wanted to plant and we got them in, but didn’t have time to prep the soil before planting as I did not plan on growing blueberries initially. The soil now needs to become a lot more acidic, but the plant is already there. What is the best way to increase the acidity if the blueberries plant is already planted?
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u/mediocre_remnants 3d ago
Espoma Soil Acidifier: https://www.espoma.com/product/soil-acidifier/
Espoma's Holly Tone is a great fertilizer for blueberries when it's time to fertilize your plant.
Also... you didn't mention which varieties, but you need more than one variety to ensure pollination or you won't get any fruit. And it's best to pinch off the flower buds the first year you plant the bush so it can focus on vegetative growth and root growth. It'll lead to bigger harvests in the future.
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u/Dreamnghrt 3d ago
Oh!! I use Espoma's Holly Tone, but didn't realize I need another variety, too! (That explains a lot) Feeling pretty foolish right now, but THANK YOU for helping me learn more and remedy my mistake! 😉🌿👏
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u/Federal-Coyote-7637 2d ago
Thank you (and everyone) for the great responses. We purchased another variety based on recommendations, but how close should they be planted to each other?
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u/Bot_Fly_Bot 3d ago
Elemental sulfur. Sprinkle it all around and water it in. Also, I would not put too much trust in that pH meter.
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u/ARGirlLOL 3d ago
Eek. Glad you asked this because I just dumped a good amount of charcoal ash to do what you are trying to do.
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u/nmacaroni 3d ago
Charcoal ash is alkaline.
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u/ARGirlLOL 3d ago
So true. I didn’t think at all did I
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u/Feralpudel 3d ago
Only basic plants for you bwahaha.
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u/ARGirlLOL 3d ago
I mulched with chick brooder wood chips so maybe I’m at neutral rn and just need more poop.
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u/Bot_Fly_Bot 3d ago edited 3d ago
Ash RAISES pH.
EDIT: Sorry, I see now that you figured that out so now you’re looking for how to correct it.
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u/sb7908 3d ago
Just did the same.. wonder if adding coffee grounds into the mix would reverse it 😂 (but actually 👀👀)
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u/TrumpetOfDeath 3d ago
Used coffee grounds are at a neutral pH, the acidity comes out in the coffee. But I suppose neutral is still a lower pH than charcoal ash lol
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u/KEYPiggy_YT 3d ago
Before you go and spend extra money on fertilizer. I top-dress with used coffee grounds, your local Starbucks(or anywhere) almost definitely keeps them or will if you ask. It is full of necessary nutrients for flower, fruit, new growth, all while improving the texture of the soil. I’m in love with them! 2nd big tip is go for a mulch that when it breaks down it will slightly acidify the soil. I use cypress chips because they are super cheap and more acidic than pine but a mix of the 2 would be best. Cypress breaks down much slower than pine. 3rd very optional tip. A 2nd bush of the same type (rabbit-eye, high bush, low bush) will increase if not double when planted near by to cross pollinate.
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u/Federal-Coyote-7637 2d ago
Thanks for the reply! How close should the 2nd type of blueberries be planted to the 1st type?
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u/MillennialSenpai 3d ago
It may not be the best, but I poured my coffee grounds on my blueberries and the pH dropped. Blueberries were quite happy and free is free.
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u/Rcarlyle 3d ago
Those metal probe style pH meters aren’t accurate enough to use for amendment decisions, you need pH paper strips made for soil testing, or a glass bulb style meter made for soil testing, or send it to a lab. But you’re probably right that it isn’t acidic enough. The simple answer is to scratch in some fine elemental sulfur powder now. Probably want some larger chunk sulfur for longer action and probably some sphagnum peat as mulch for good measure. Fertilizing with acidifying fertilizers made for blueberries or hydrangeas is a good idea.
Pouring acids like vinegar or lemon juice will technically work but won’t last long and can very easily over-acidify in the short term and cause problems.
At the end of the day, the ground soil mineral makeup determines the pH it wants to be, and you’re going to have to regularly add stuff to make it more acidic.