Knowledgebase
Lingonberry Plant #396083
Asked April 26, 2017, 10:49 AM EDT
Olmsted County Minnesota
Expert Response
Many nurseries will special order plants for the customers. The following site has the cultivar names of lingonberry.
http://msue.anr.msu.edu/uploads/files/e2747.pdf
Lingonberry is a shiny leaved, short spreading, evergreen shrub. Branches sprout from both underground runners and the plant base. Mature plants reach 12 to 18 inches in height and spread up to 18 inches. The acid-loving plant grows best in a cool climate and is hardy to at least 30 below zero with snow cover. It does need protection from drying winds in open winters. The best soils are acidic (pH 5. 5 to 6) and sandy and contain at least 2 percent organic matter. Many location in Olmsted county have basic soil. It may be necessary to prepare a special raised bed for the plants to grow well. The soil preparation for the raised is similar to the preparation needed for a blueberry bed. If the pH of the soil is between 5.5 and 7.0, and the texture is sandy to sandy loam, simply add some sphagnum peat to the soil. Mix 4 to 6 inches of peat into the top 6 to 8 inches of soil. The peat will increase the soil organic matter content and acidify the soil. Soils with a pH greater than 7.0 require very high rates of acidifying amendments and are not recommended for growing blueberries. However, you can still grow blueberries by creating a raised bed filled with an acidic planting mix. To create a raised planting bed 15 inches deep by 24 inches wide by 48 inches long. Fill with a soil mixture of sphagnum peat and loam soil at a ratio of about 2:1 (peat:soil). As this soil settles and decomposes over the years, you will need to continue adding peat to the planting bed. Continue to have your soil's pH tested every year or two, and amend as needed. It is best to collect rain water to water the plants. The water from many city wells is very basic and will increase the pH of the soil in the acid bed.
The following site has information on growing blueberries. Lingonberry has similar cultural requirements.
http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/fruit/blueberries-for-home-landscapes/