What to use in place of Peat Moss?

[Nel frattempo]

I need to amend the soil in holes where new BlueBerry Bushes will be planted. In years past, I used Peat Moss. This year, I cannot find peat moss anywhere and two places told me they will no longer carry it due to a huge increase in price? All they suggested was expensive potting soil with chemicals or chemical water mix fertilizers -- - but what else could I use to made the soil more acid and good for the Blueberry bushes? Thank you

[myheaven]

pine needles. pine shavings. I know you can add a rock I cant think of the type off the top of my head. Mix it with some soil. Im sure others will chime in with the name.

[Randy Rooster]

I live in eastern NC and all the growers down this way start and grow their blueberries in almost pure shredded pine bark. That would be the best amendment you could add- even better than peat moss if you can get it up your way.

[MullersLaneFarm]

to add acidity, aluminum sulphate. I have pine needles surrounding my blueberry and cranberry bushes.

[oldgaredneck]

coffee grounds and tea bags also add acidity

[ET1 SS]

I did notice that locally the store's peat moss all started having fertilizer mixed in it. Around here the change happened about March. We noticed because we burn peat in our stove.

I harvest some peat from my SIL's land, and burn it, but we ran out, so we were buying some peat for heating fuel this winter.

I guess that for next winter, I will need to harvest twice as much peat.

It is neat having such a eco-friendly fuel source growing close by.

About ten years ago, a guy wanted to start a business harvesting local peat and shipping it. But a petition stopped him, folks were scared that by bringing in jobs, it would raise our taxes.

[Nel frattempo]

Thank you -- we had dog emergency and I am just now getting back to this. Will try these ideas. Thanks for the infor

[dcross]

Originally Posted by oldgaredneck

coffee grounds and tea bags also add acidity

Not used coffee grounds! They're actually pretty close to nuetral, the acid goes into the cup

[Rick]

Originally Posted by Nel frattempo

I need to amend the soil in holes where new BlueBerry Bushes will be planted. In years past, I used Peat Moss. This year, I cannot find peat moss anywhere and two places told me they will no longer carry it due to a huge increase in price? All they suggested was expensive potting soil with chemicals or chemical water mix fertilizers -- - but what else could I use to made the soil more acid and good for the Blueberry bushes? Thank you

Do you have a Southern States Co-Op near you? That is where we located the big bales.