Pine needles

[Mumbles]

I have read that a mulch of pine needles around my blueberry and cranberry plants is good for the soil acidity.
I am moving both plants from the garden to allotment over the next few months, my question is would a layer of pine needles in the bottom of the planting hole be a good idea?

Thanks


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[roitelet]

Yes, anything that keeps up the soil acidity and retains moisture will help.you could also mix the pine needles with the soil you use to plant the bushes or buy ericaceous compost but that is expensive! An annual mulch of acidic material will also be a help. I have access to coffee grounds and use those along with wood ash and my blueberries seem fine.

[Mumbles]

Hadn't thought of mixing them in, great idea thanks. I have a HUGE pine tree right outside my house so getting hold of plenty of needles isn't a problem


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[Patsy]

I've read somewhere (either on here or a veg mag) that a mulch of rhubarb leaves round blueberries helps with acidity. Anyone else know of this?

[datz]

I'd always thought that you kept wood ash away from blueberries as it has a similar action to lime?

[Kristen]

My understanding is that Blueberries want significantly acidic soil, so if you don't have that to start with planting them out is a non starter. If you do have acidic soil then I don't see any benefit in including pine needs in the bottom etc. although a mulch will clearly help, and using something acidic will be important.

But I'm just thinking out loud

[Mumbles]

Been and swept up 3 bin bags full today. Does half and half mix with the soil sound about right?


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[VolesAteMyPeas]

To be honest, I'd say it's the surface mulch that's going to be most important as the acidity is created primarily as water percolates through the pine needles from the surface. But I don't see how a fifty fifty mix for planting will do any harm. Pine needles are slow rotting so that mix should create quite a nicely free draining soil.

[4390evans]

50 liter ericaceous compost is on 2 for £10 at homebase atm
Just got some myself xx