{"id":1331,"date":"2010-06-09T11:17:06","date_gmt":"2010-06-09T15:17:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/blueberries\/?page_id=1331"},"modified":"2025-09-10T11:19:04","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T15:19:04","slug":"254-cultural-management-ph","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/blueberries\/resources\/nutrient-management\/254-cultural-management-ph\/","title":{"rendered":"Soil pH Management"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Fact Sheet No. 254<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Originally developed by David E. Yarborough, PhD, Extension Wild Blueberry Specialist, University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
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Updated by Lily Calderwood, PhD, Wild Blueberry Specialist and Assistant Professor of Horticulture, University of Maine Cooperative Extension.<\/em><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Soil Sampling for pH<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To take one sample, collect 15 to 20 soil cores at a three to four-inch depth and mix them together in a bucket. Be sure sample is a representative sample from all parts of your field. If field conditions are very different, take entirely separate samples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indicate that your sample is wild blueberry soil and that you only require pH analysis. The analysis report that you receive will give recommendations on the amount of sulfur needed to reduce your pH appropriately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fields differ in organic matter (OM) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) so pH change will vary from field to field. Re-sampling the field each year is necessary to determine what change has occurred and will help you to decide if a reapplication of sulfur is required. Note<\/strong>: Take leaf samples to determine your plant\u2019s fertilizer needs. Excess fertilizer will feed weeds and reduce blueberry yield and quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sulfur Applications to Wild Blueberry<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sulfur is an effective treatment for reducing soil pH to control weeds in wild blueberry fields. Experiments conducted in over thirteen locations in Maine from 2000 to 2005, sulfur applied at 500 or 1000 pounds per acre was effective in reducing the soil pH one-half to one pH unit. When the target pH (4.0) was reached, a reduction in weeds, especially grasses, was observed. When sulfur was applied with herbicide (Sinbar or Velpar) additional suppression was obtained. The application of 1000 pounds per acre to an organic field reduced the pH from 5.0 to 4.0 and resulted in a decrease in weeds two years after the application. Yield in the organic field was doubled by burning vs. mowing and with the use of sulfur on mowed areas. Importantly, when burning was combined with sulfur application, blueberry yield increased three-fold.<\/p>\n\n\n