what type of acid should be used on blue berries? - Ask Extension
We already have blueberries plants growing. My husband has been checking on the PH level.
He thinks it is okay to use liquid battery acid in the soi...
Knowledgebase
what type of acid should be used on blue berries? #873599
Asked June 18, 2024, 11:56 AM EDT
We already have blueberries plants growing. My husband has been checking on the PH level.
He thinks it is okay to use liquid battery acid in the soil. I am worried about any danger of eating
the berries with this type of acid. Are all acids the same?
Barry County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello Susan, No, not all acids are the same!
For example, boric acid is used as an eye wash, Lemon juice is an acid we use to flavor food; you certainly wouldn’t use just any acid to replace them.
To lower soil pH, and thus making it more “acid”, you may use garden sulfur or ammonium sulfate fertilizer. The amount to use depends on your current pH and soil type.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/reducing_soil_ph_in_landscapes
To get a reliable reading of these two factors you need a soil test conducted by a lab. If you would like more information about this, please see
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/soil-testing-returns-through-msu-extension
Here are some research based articles on how to safely acidify soil, i.e. lower the soil pH to the correct level for blueberries.
https://extension.illinois.edu/small-fruits/growing-and-caring-blueberries
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/documents/ec1560.pdf
For example, boric acid is used as an eye wash, Lemon juice is an acid we use to flavor food; you certainly wouldn’t use just any acid to replace them.
To lower soil pH, and thus making it more “acid”, you may use garden sulfur or ammonium sulfate fertilizer. The amount to use depends on your current pH and soil type.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/reducing_soil_ph_in_landscapes
To get a reliable reading of these two factors you need a soil test conducted by a lab. If you would like more information about this, please see
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/soil-testing-returns-through-msu-extension
Here are some research based articles on how to safely acidify soil, i.e. lower the soil pH to the correct level for blueberries.
https://extension.illinois.edu/small-fruits/growing-and-caring-blueberries
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/documents/ec1560.pdf
