Thanks for the question! Acidic soil (soil pH 4.0-5.0) is a necessity for blueberries! Absolutely! When pH is too high (5.5 or above) the nutrients in the soil are not accessible to the blueberry plants and the plants will not thrive.

The best place to start is with a soil test to determine the soil texture, i.e. sandy loam, silty loam, clay, etc. Based on the soil test result you will need to amend the soil by adding sulfur. Below are a couple of examples:

—If the soil test shows sandy loam garden soil, —To lower pH by 1 (example 6.0 to 5.0pH)—Add 3/4 lbs elemental sulfur per 100 sqft. For your neutral soil (pH7.0) add 1 1/2 lbs per 100 SF to get to 5.0pH.—Dig trench and mix in the top 6” – 8”.

—Or, if silty loam garden soil, —To lower pH by 1 (example 6.0 to 5.0pH)—Add 2 lbs elemental sulfur per 100 sqft.—For your neutral soil (pH7.0) add 4 lbs per 100 SF to get to 5.0pH. Dig trench and mix in the top 6” – 8”.

—If the soil test shows clay garden soil – replace soil. Clay soil cannot be amended enough get to 4.0-5.0 pH. In this case a raised bed is a good solution.

Here is a link to complete advice for growing blueberries including information on having a soil test: https://extension.umn.edu/gardening-minnesota/growing-blueberries-home-garden

This up front effort is well worth it because blueberry plants are long lived, 50 years, and will produce berries year after year. Please do reply back if you have further questions.

Paul - Master Gardener volunteer