Acidic Fertilizer for Blueberries

[Yvonne]

Hi All,
Now that I live in Southern California, I have to plant my blueberries in containers since the soil is alkaline here.  They've been in pots for a little over a year now, and I've noticed that they aren't as vigorous as they were when I bought them.  I'm guessing they need some fertilizer, since I really haven't added any since I planted them. I'd like to make my own mixture, and was wondering if anyone else does this as well.  My online research says that coffee grounds would be good to add to the mix, but I'm not sure what else and what ratios would be good.  Any advice from someone doing this would be great!
Thanks!
Yvonne

[Stephanie Lucas]

Hi Yvonne!

 

I’m impressed that you can grow blueberries at all in Southern California.  But I guess there are new varieties for the warmer, sunnier, dryer areas of the country (which sounds like a nice place to be these days).   I’m guessing that your water tends to be alkaline as well as the soil.  Coffee grounds (and tea leaves) are great as an acidic top dressing, as is watering with leftover coffee (or tea).  I do this on potted citrus and they seem to do well.  I’ve read that you can further acidify your water/soil by adding a tablespoon of vinegar to a gallon of irrigation water.  I also read that fertilizing with cottonseed meal will help keep your soil acidic.  You could use it in place of alfalfa meal for the homemade formula:  5 parts meal (alfalfa or cottonseed)

                                                                                                                                                                                               2 parts phosphate rock

                                                                                                                                                                                               1 part kelp meal

                                                                                                                                                                                               1 part granite dust or green sand

 

I don’t really think these proportions need to be exact.   Incidentally, I also tend to mulch my berries with evergreen needles and/or chipped branch wood.

 

Hope this is helpful!

 

Stephanie

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