Useful Information


In General:

Blueberries are perennial, long-lived, deciduous, woody shrub that can grow up to 20 feet tall at maturity. If properly maintained, productivity will continue for 40 to 50 years. Fruit are borne entirely on shoot growth made the previous season and are deep blue in color. Freshly picked blueberries will have a lighter, powdery gray-blue color before they are washed.


Growing Blueberries:

The primary factor to insure successful blueberry production is to select the proper field site. Careful attention must be given to irrigation water and the soil characteristics of pH, texture, organic matter, depth and horizon, drainage and nutrient content. An adequate supply of high quality water is necessary for establishment and production of blueberries. One mature plant can require 15 to 20 gallons of water daily during a hot and dry summer. Blueberry plants grow best in porous loam or sandy loam soils with a pH value from 4.0 to 5.5. If little or no organic matter is present, it must be added and incorporated into the soil. Adequate soil drainage is essential to prevent plant injury by flooding, poor drainage, drought and low temperature.

Variety selection will be based upon your specific location and variety characteristics differ and are to numerous to be covered here. But, remember that blueberry plants are not self-pollinating so you must purchase two cultivars and plant at least two plants.


Blueberry Processing:

Blueberries are harvested either by hand or by mechanical harvester and brought to the packing plant where they are conveyed through an array of sorting equipment. Once here the berries are cleaned, sorted, packed for the fresh and/or frozen market, immediately refrigerated and rushed to the retailer as quickly as possible.


Buying Fresh Blueberries:

Look first at the place of purchase and how they store and care for their blueberries. The berries should be kept cold and dry to maximize their shelf life. The higher the temperature above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the faster spoilage will take place. The blueberry grower has gone to a great deal of trouble and expense to deliver a quality product to the retailer. If the retailer treats your future blueberries with this same respect, you will enjoy your purchase.

The berries themselves should be firm, plump, free of foreign debris, and as close to ripe as possible. Reddish berries are not ripe and will have a bitter taste due to the low sugar content. (Blueberries will not continue to ripen after they are harvested.) Over ripe berries will be soft and may have a wrinkled appearance. Fresh blueberries should be stored in the refrigerator and washed just prior to using.


Preparation For Use:

Fresh blueberries should not be washed until just before using. Commercially frozen berries are washed then dried prior to freezing, saving you this step in preparation. If you want to freeze your own fresh berries for later use, spread the dry (washed or unwashed) blueberries on a flat tray and place in the freezer. Once frozen solid you can transfer them to any closed container.


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