American blueberries are the most famous acidophilic fruit shrubsBlueberries require very acidic soils with a pH of 3.8-4.8. However, it is worth knowing that the American blueberry is not the only fruit shrub that likes acidic soils, andmost popular shrubs require slightly acidic soilsFind out more about the soil requirements of individual fruit shrubs.
Fruit shrubs like acidic or slightly acidic soil
Fig. depositphotos.com
Fruit bushes for acidic soils
Highbush blueberry- grows best in extremely acidic soils (pH 3.8-4.8), light, moist and in sunny and wind-sheltered positions.Blueberry should be planted in groups of several cultivars as it is a non-pollinating species. Due to the shallow root system, it requires irrigation during drought. The blueberry does not need to be trimmed after planting. The first corrective cutting of the American blueberry is performed only after approx. 4 years after planting.
Lingonberry- similarly to American blueberry, it requires acidic soils, preferably with a pH of 3.5-4.5. The soil for lingonberry cultivation should be light and humus, and the position should be well sunny. Lingonberry is quite tolerant to soil moisture, but it does not tolerate wet soils. We should also avoid complete drying of the earth during drought and hot weather.
Fruit bushes on slightly acidic soil
Gooseberry- has low soil requirements and will grow even on very sandy ground. It prefers slightly acidic soils with a pH of 5.5-6.5. The exhibition is important for him (the southern one will be unfavorable), as the fruit of some varieties may be burned by the sun's rays.Gooseberries bear the best fruit in regions of the country with a lot of rainfall. Responds well to cutting.
Black chokeberry- prefers moist, sandy loam soil, but can grow in any conditions. It tolerates a fairly wide range of soil pH 5.0-6.5. It does not require a sunny position, it can also cope with partial shade. It is fully frost-resistant. It does not require any special care, apart from irrigation during drought and fertilizing every third year with manure or compost. Chokeberry does not require forming pruning, but sanitary pruning should be performed systematically, and every 5-6 years some of the oldest branches should be completely cut, thus rejuvenating chokeberry.
Chokeberry tolerates both acidic and slightly acidic soils
Fig. pixabay.com
Raspberry- prefers fertile, well-drained and moist soil with a pH of 6.0-6.5. It does not tolerate heavy soils and does not tolerate root flooding.The best position for growing raspberries is in a sunny place away from other species, because the raspberry grows very quickly and strongly. Raspberries are self-pollinating, but bear better fruit when pollinated with foreign pollen, so it is worth planting several different varieties next to each other.
Currant- red, black and white currants are the most popular fruit shrubs in our orchards, among others because of their taste and he alth. Fertile and rich soils are recommended only for black currants, the remaining ones will grow even on fallow land. The recommended soil pH for currants is pH 6.0-6.5. These plants respond well to organic fertilization with peat and manure. In autumn or early spring, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium mineral fertilization can be applied.
Wild strawberry- prefers semi-shaded and shaded positions. Full midday sun quickly leads to burns. The soil for wild strawberries should be humus, moist, well-drained and fertile, with a pH of 6.0 - 6.5.Plants are planted in the summer, in July or August, so that they have fruit for the second year. Growing wild strawberries in one place can take up to 3 years. Plants require frequent irrigation and compost fertilization twice a year.
Strawberries grow best in slightly acidic soils
Fig. pixabay.com
Strawberry- works well in fertile, humus-permeable soils with a pH of 5.5-6.2. The best fruit is obtained from a plantation that is very well sunlit. Strawberries require regular watering and mulching the soil, which reduces water evaporation. Like wild strawberry, it can be grown in one place for up to 3 years. It is possible to plant and grow strawberries in balcony boxes and pots.
Large-fruited cranberry- this shrub prefers poor, well-drained, moist soil with a pH of 5.5-6.2. It grows best in a position with a high level of groundwater and adequate sunlight.In snowless winters, cranberries are prone to freezing, so it is worth protecting plants from wind and sun. Every few years the bushes should be rejuvenated by removing some of the long shoots.
How to prepare soil for acidophilic fruit shrubs?
Acidophilic fruit shrubs require proper cultivation- from proper substrate preparation to fertilization, soil loosening and watering. If you want to plant bushes that prefer acid soil in the garden, we measure the pH of the soil (we can use both a simple soil acid meter based on colored papers and a more precise electronic pH meter) in the place of the planned planting.
A soil reaction below pH 5.5 indicates an acidic soil , while a pH between 5.6 and 6.5 is slightly acidic. If the indicated pH was slightly higher than that needed by our shrubs, we can correct it by adding an acidic substrate or a small amount of acid peat to the previously dug hole.It is also good to mulch the soil around the plant with pine bark or composted conifer sawdust, which will acidify the soil and prevent water from evaporating from the substrate.When planting blueberries and lingonberries, which require highly acidic soil, much more acid peat must be used and fill not only the hole dug for the plant with it, but also dig a slightly larger area of soil with peat around the place where the blueberries are planted.
The hole dug for the blueberry is seasoned with acid peat
Fig. © PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
In the cultivation of acidophilic fruit bushesone should focus primarily on appropriate fertilizers, which will not increase the soil pH. However, it is worth choosing acidifying fertilizers, such as, for example, ammonium sulphate. You can also support the roots of shrubs with mycorrhizal fungi, thanks to which the plant becomes stronger and has easier access to water and nutrients taken from the soil.The use of mycorrhiza makes the plants slightly better tolerate soil pH deviating from their requirements.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
