A Guide To Creating The Healthiest Soil For Bigger Hydrangea Blooms

Many of us dream of having big, beautiful hydrangea blooms (Hydrangea spp.) filling our front yards. People love them for their showy and long-lasting flowers. And if you have ever read a guide on how to grow and care for hydrangeas, you know that picking the best spot to plant hydrangeas is only part of the equation. Soil conditions in USDA Hardiness zone 3 through 9 play just as important a role in keeping hydrangeas healthy and their blooms big. 

So, how can you create a healthy soil for growing hydrangeas? Well, it's rather simple. All you have to do is replicate the soil conditions that support healthy hydrangea growth in your garden, and you are good to go. For instance, hydrangeas grow best moist and well-drained soil. So, you should ideally plant them in loamy soils and water deeply but infrequently. Similarly, they perform best in a slightly acidic soil with a pH of 4.5 to 6.5. 

So, if the soil in your garden is alkaline, start by fixing that. Fertilizing the soil is important too, but definitely avoid overdoing it. Over-fertilization, especially when adding high quantities of nitrogen, leads to leaf growth instead of flowers and won't help you grow bigger blooms.

So, now that you know what the features of a healthy soil for bigger hydrangea blooms are, let's talk about how to prep your soil for successful planting if it is a bit off. If the soil in your garden is heavy clay soil instead of the preferred loamy consistency, you might want to start by adding some compost or organic matter to change the composition. Not only will it increase soil fertility, but it will also improve soil drainage. 

A well-drained soil allows water and air to reach your hydrangea's roots, which encourages healthy plant and flower growth. Once you have proper soil in place, take a look at your watering technique. Hydrangeas prefer deep, infrequent waterings that promote root growth. So, if you are used to watering your plants daily with light sprinkles, you might want to change that. You can also add mulch on top of the soil to improve moisture retention between waterings. 

Your hydrangea's pH is also of crucial importance when it comes to flower quality and size. This number can affect the way nutrients behave underground. For hydrangeas, a soil pH of 4.5 to 6.5 is usually the sweet spot. So, add lime if the soil is too acidic or sulfur if it is too alkaline. Before adding lime, sulfur, or any other soil amendment, don't forget to perform a soil test.