Blueberries

Blueberries have uniquely demanding soil and nutrient requirements that set them apart from nearly every other garden fruit. Their shallow, fibrous root systems lack root hairs, making them exceptionally sensitive to fertilizer salt concentration and soil pH. Blueberries require strongly acidic soil (pH 4.5-5.5) to properly absorb iron, manganese, and other micronutrients — even a slightly elevated pH can trigger severe chlorosis and decline. Nitrogen is the most critical macronutrient, but it must be supplied in the ammonium form (not nitrate), as blueberry roots cannot efficiently process nitrate nitrogen. This makes fertilizer selection more important for blueberries than almost any other crop in the home garden. Sulfur-coated urea or ammonium sulfate are preferred nitrogen sources because they also help maintain soil acidity. Over-fertilization is a common killer of blueberry bushes; their sensitive roots burn easily, and excessive nitrogen produces soft, flavorless berries that split in the rain. Proper fertilization combined with acidic mulch (pine needles, wood chips) creates the ideal growing environment. Most blueberry failures in home gardens trace back to incorrect pH or using the wrong type of fertilizer rather than too little nutrition overall.