Preparing your soil before you plant will greatly improve your plant’s performance and promote healthy, vigorous growth. It is a good idea to have your soil tested to determine if it is lacking in any essential minerals and nutrients. This can be done through your County Extension Office or with one of our digital meters.
The goal of soil preparation is to replenish vital minerals and nutrients, as well as break up and loosen any compacted soil.
NOTE: This is part 5 in a series of 10 articles. For a complete background on how to grow hydrangeas, we recommend starting from the beginning.
When To Prepare Your Soil
Soil preparation can be done at any time that the ground is not too wet or frozen. Your trees may be planted even when temperatures are quite cool. If a hard frost is expected, it is advisable to delay planting for a while until temperatures become more moderate. Generally, as long as your soil is workable, it is fine to plant.
How To Prepare Your Soil
- Roots grow faster when they’re spread out. Dig the hole deep and wide enough so the root system has plenty of room to easily expand. Keep the topsoil in a separate pile so you can put it in the bottom of the hole, where it’ll do the most good.
- To loosen the soil, mix dehydrated cow manure, garden compost or peat moss (up to 1/3 concentration) into your pile of topsoil. Make sure the peat moss you get is either baled sphagnum or granular peat. You can also add our Coco-Fiber Potting Medium or 2 or more inches of organic material and work in evenly with the existing soil.
Your lawn can provide you with ideal organic materials such as grass clippings and shredded leaves. Not only will the grass and leaves break down to provide soil nutrients, but they will help loosen the soil as well. You can gather these in the fall with spring planting in mind.
Common soil amendments:
- compost
- sand
- manure
- lime
- peat moss
Adding organic materials, such as our Coco-Fiber Potting Medium and compost will improve most every soil type. Organic materials bind sandy soil particles so they retain moisture and nutrients better. They also break apart clay and silt particles, so that water can infiltrate and roots can spread.
Soil Types
- Clay and silt soils are made of very small particles. They feel slick and sticky when wet. Clay and silt hold moisture well, but resist water infiltration, especially when they are dry. Often puddles form on clay or silt soils, and they easily become compacted.
- Loam soil is a mix of sand, silt or clay, and organic matter. Loam soils are loose and look rich. When squeezed in your fist, moist loam will form a ball, which crumbles when poked with a finger. Loam soils normally absorb water and store moisture well. Loam soils can be sandy or clay based, and will vary in moisture absorption and retention accordingly.
- Sandy soils contain large particles that are visible to the unaided eye, and are usually light in color. Sand feels coarse when wet or dry, and will not form a ball when squeezed in your fist. Sandy soils stay loose and allow moisture to penetrate easily, but do not retain it for long-term use.
FAQs
Preparing the Planting Site
Good soil preparation is the key to the success of your tree. Hydrangeas do best in soil rich in organic material, well-drained but that does not become completely dry.
Should I soak hydrangeas before planting? ›
Before planting: soak roots in a tub or large trash can of water for one to two hours to keep them from drying while you dig. Do not soak more than six hours. DO NOT expose roots to freezing temperatures while planting.
Will coffee grounds turn hydrangeas blue? ›
Some gardeners report success in turning their hydrangeas blue by applying coffee grounds to the soil. The coffee grounds make the soil more acidic, allowing the hydrangea to more easily absorb aluminum. In addition, fruit peels, lawn clippings, peat moss and pine needles, are thought to have a similar effect.
Should I use peat moss when planting hydrangeas? ›
Hydrangeas grow best with a slow-release fertilizer or an organic material combination of peat moss, compost, and sulfur. Never fertilizer directly under the hydrangea or on its roots. Instead, fertilize the area encompassing the plant.
Is Miracle Grow potting soil good for hydrangeas? ›
In warmer regions (zones 7 and warmer), where winter tends to be mild, you can also grow hydrangeas in containers. Create just the right environment for them by filling pots with Miracle-Gro® Moisture Control® Potting Mix.
What is the best fertilizer for hydrangeas? ›
Hydrangeas thrive when fed a balanced or all-purpose fertilizer like 10-10-10 NPK or 12-4-8 NPK. Fertilizers formulated for roses are another good choice. When is the best time to fertilize hydrangeas? Spring is the best time to start fertilizing hydrangeas.
What month is best to plant hydrangeas? ›
This timing will vary by region. For instance, in areas with winter freezing and snow, hydrangeas should be planted in early spring or early fall (as soon as summer heat breaks). In warmer regions with mild winters, the window for planting hydrangeas is longer, from fall all the way through to early spring.
How do you prepare the hole for planting hydrangeas? ›
Create a hole twice as wide as the plant's root system, and about six inches deeper than the plant's pot. Break up the soil a bit before you plant to help the roots easily establish themselves. Score, or rough up, the sides of the hole before planting your hydrangea.
What time of day should you water hydrangeas? ›
Water your hydrangeas in the morning before the heat of the sun is strong enough to quickly evaporate soil moisture. Try to avoid watering at night, which can encourage mold and mildew as the moisture sits through the cool night. Water your hydrangeas through the growing season as well as in late fall.
Are egg shells good for hydrangeas? ›
Growing hydrangeas can be challenging and rewarding. An important element in their success is using the right type of soil for optimal results. Eggshells contain nutrients that can improve soil acidity, providing an ideal environment for growing hydrangeas.
Adding baking soda to the soil makes it naturally more alkaline and reduces acidity, which will lead to a more optional garden environment for your plants. Within a week, Courtenay was impressed to see her hydrangeas has immediately gotten bigger and stronger.
Are Epsom salts good for hydrangeas? ›
The Short Answer. Unless your soil is deficient in magnesium (or inhibits the uptake of magnesium), Epsom salt is bad for hydrangeas. It does not change soil pH and, by extension, flower color, or improve flowering without deficiencies present. It also does not deter pests and diseases.
What do I put in my soil before planting hydrangeas? ›
Amend your garden soil with rich organic materials and well-decomposed compost. Mulch your garden, focusing around the base of the plants to help regulate temperature and moisture levels. The pH of the soil can impact the color of your hydrangea plant.
Where should you not plant hydrangeas? ›
Where should you not plant hydrangeas? Hydrangeas should not be planted in USDA hardiness zones 1 and 2 as they won't be able to tolerate the colder climate. Hydrangeas also should not be planted under trees because there will be too much root competition and lack of sun for these plants to adequately thrive.
What not to plant with hydrangeas? ›
Not all plants pair well with hydrangeas. Here are some combinations to avoid: Sunflower prefers full sun and hotter conditions than hydrangeas, which require some shade. Lavender is a sun-loving perennial that performs best in dry conditions and leaner soil, so will not thrive near hydrangeas.
What do you add to soil to make hydrangeas bloom? ›
Organic acidifiers include sulfur and sulfate. There are also easy-to-use soil additives made specifically for hydrangeas. Bailey's Color Me Blue (soil sulfur) or Bailey's Color Me Pink (garden lime) change the pH of the soil so you can enjoy the hydrangea bloom color you want.
Can you use regular potting soil for hydrangeas? ›
Hydrangea growing in pots, planters and other containers will appreciate a moist but well-drained soil. We suggest the use of a quality potting soil or potting mix or, better yet, a 50/50 combination thereof. Make sure the container you are planting in has a drainage hole(s).
How do you treat soil for hydrangeas? ›
To encourage blue hydrangea flowers, grow the plant in soil that has a pH of 5.2-5.5. If your soil is more alkaline, you can lower the pH by applying Soil Acidifier at the rate specified on the package. Soil pH can also be lowered (more gradually) by applying an acidic organic mulch, such as pine needles or pine bark.
How do I make my hydrangeas soil acidic? ›
You can lower soil pH by adding soil sulfur (also called elemental sulfur). You should be able to buy it at a garden center. Avoid using sulfates, which are not appropriate for organic gardens. Add sulfur at the rate of 2 pounds per 100 square feet.
