Hi there, I'm new here, and I have a question. My wife bought a couple of
blueberry bushes. We live in north central Indiana, we have clay soil.
What do we need to do to it to be able to raise blueberries? Any help would
be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Jim
The major concern for blueberries is getting a soil pH of 4.5 to 5.5. Since you
already have the plants check to see if any of the bluegrass family grows in
the area.

If you have high pH loving plants, Than I would suggest digging your planting
holes at least three feet in diameter and a foot deep. Go to a garden center
and buy a container of soil acidifier. Popular brand here is Green Light. It
contains sulfur and iron compounds and and is a very fast acidifier. Some folks
use powdered sulphur but that is slower and less easy to use for a beginner.
Follow the instructions on the bottle. Plant the blueberry, they usually come
with instructions, water deeply use the acidifier and then mulch the plants
with pine straw. You will probably need to water once aweek if it doesn't
rain. Note that I did not say anything about amending the soil. That is
because, I find adding spagnum etc to the planting hole sometimes hinders the
plant. If you could have dug the holes last fall than an amendment would have
been in order. Blueberies are particular about soil base as long as the pH iis
right. In a year or so mulching will amend the soil.