Blueberries are a delicious super fruit, chock full of antioxidants and vitamin C. However, the immune-boosting properties of blueberries are only one of this juicy blue fruit’s endearing qualities. Blueberries may be most loved for their tart summer taste. They freeze well and make tasty ingredients for fruit smoothies and yogurt. Blueberries are also a favorite choice for preserving and sweetening everything from muffins to pies to pancakes year-round.

Blueberry plants require around 6 years to reach full maturity, so if you are wanting to harvest your first crop within a year, you will need to transplant mature bushes. If you are planting seedlings or starting seeds, be aware that it will be few years before you get to harvest that first batch.

Types of Blueberries

Before you start growing blueberries, make sure you are familiar with some of the most common variations so you can choose the best option for you. Here are some popular types of blueberries:

Highbush

Highbush blueberries may be the most common variety of blueberries. You can usually find this variety at the supermarket or your local nursery. This variety of blueberry is native to the east coast and thrives in low-lying habitats such as heaths and bogs. Highbush blueberries prefer acidic soil. If the soil is not acidic enough, you may end up with a lush, leafy plant but no fruit.

Lowbush

Lowbush blueberries are the variety often noticed growing wild in nature. They are a cousin of the more commonly cultivated Highbush and have a sweeter taste than their counterpart’s tart berries. They are native to North America, but usually in a more northern habitat than the Highbushes. They love loose sandy soil and commonly live in sandy forests or near bogs.

Rabiteye

Rabiteye blueberries are a popular variety to cultivate in the southern United States, partly because of its unique pest-resistance features. Rabiteye may not attract as many pests as other varieties. There are several sub-variations of Rabiteye blueberries, such as Garden Blue, Delite, Woodard, Climax, and Brightwell.

These berry plants require a specific pH level of 4.0 to 5.0. Without the right soil, this type of blueberry will not succeed. If you are planning to plant a large crop, it may be wise to test the soil beforehand planting.

When to Plant Blueberries

Blueberries should be planted in the early spring after any reasonable concern for frost has passed. If you are growing plants from seeds, strongly consider starting your seeds indoors around 6-8 weeks (about 2 months) before your zone’s ideal planting time. Blueberry seedlings can also be planted in mid-fall at least six weeks before the first expected frost date.

 

When to Harvest Blueberries

It takes new blueberry plants 2 – 4 years to become established enough to bear fruit. For the first few seasons, you will just notice leaves and flowers. Pull the flowers off to stimulate more growth in the plant so it will become productive as quickly as possible.

When the blueberries do begin producing fruit, they will be ready for harvesting during the months of June, July, and August depending on your growing zone. Do not pick the berries at the first sign of a blue hue, though. It may take a few days for them to be completely ready. When they are ripe, they should fall off the stem easily and not require much force when plucking them off the plant.

Here’s some Fun Facts!…

  • Commercial blueberries are native to North America, while the highbush varieties weren’t introduced into Europe until the 1930s.
  • Wild species of blueberry tolerate drought and fire. Certain types of blueberries produce more fruit after forest fires.
  • According to some studies, blueberries have been part of the human diet for at least 13,000 years.
  • Blueberries are known as the healthiest type of fruit, that is known to prevent development of numerous diseases.
  • They improve memory and motor skills. They’re known as anti-aging fruit because they delay senescence of cells.
  • Depending on the variety, blueberries have either deciduous or evergreen leaves. They are oval or lanceolate in shape. Deciduous plants change color of the leaves seasonally. Light green foliage is characteristic for the spring, while red foliage is characteristic for the fall.
  • Blueberries have bell-shaped flowers. They can be white, pink or red in color. Flowers contain both male and female reproductive organs.
  • Blueberry is a rare example of food that is naturally blue in color.
  • Blueberry is a rich source of dietary fibers and vitamins C, K, A, E and vitamins of the B It also contains valuable minerals such as iron, manganese, phosphorus and potassium.
  • Blueberries are used in the manufacture of delicious and healthy blueberry wine.
  • The United States is the biggest manufacturer of blueberries in the world. More than 500 million pounds of blueberries are produced in the United States each year.
  • The lifespan of blueberries depends on the variety and environmental conditions. Under ideal conditions, blueberries can survive up to 60 years.
  • Peak blueberry season in most of the United States runs from mid June to mid August. However, Florida blueberries have their peak production season in March and April.
  • Since “wild” is a marketing term generally used for all low-bush blueberries, it’s not an indication that those blueberries are free from pesticides.
  • In Peru, there are several private initiatives for the development of blueberries. Also, the government, through its agency Sierra Exportadora, has launched the program “Peru Berries” to take advantage of the existence of the ideal soil and climate required by the blueberry.
  • Chile is the biggest producer of blueberries in South America and the biggest exporter to the Northern Hemisphere, with an estimated area of 14,500 hectares, or 36,000 acres, in 2014.

            (Fun Facts from: tonsoffacts.com)

          –   Rachel Green