Blueberries

— Written By Mary Brennan and last updated by
en Español / em Português
Español

El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.

Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.


Português

Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.

Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.


English

English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.

Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.

Collapse ▲

Image of kids picking blueberries

Come summer, you can enjoy a delicious and nutritious treat and a visit to a local farm at the same time. Blueberries are ready to harvest and will be available through mid-August. The nutritional benefits of eating blueberries are that it is a food that is low fat, saturated fat-free, sodium free, cholesterol free, good source of dietary fiber, and good source of vitamin C. The natural antioxidants in fruits will help keep your body working at its best. Besides those benefits, your taste buds will celebrate!

Check out Pick-Your-Own Blueberry Farms on the Visit NC Farms App

Blueberries are an excellent fruit to grow in northwest Piedmont. Whether you are growing your own, buying at the farmers’ market, or planning to visit a pick-your-own operation, the blueberry harvest has begun.

There are several types of blueberries that can be grown in our area. The Rabbiteye blueberries are the easiest type to grow and are usually the best choice statewide for homeowners, pick-your-own operations, and for local markets. Early rabbiteyes (Climax, Premier) begin ripening in late June to early July. There are other varieties that will be ripening into August. The other two types are a bit more demanding to grow in our clay soils of the piedmont.

Highbush and southern highbush blueberries may be grown in well-drained soils with extensive site modification, including raised beds, addition of organic matter, acidification, and irrigation. They are more difficult to grow, but ripen earlier than rabbiteye – and for this reason are grown commercially in southeastern NC for fresh shipping in the early summer market window (May-June). Early-blooming southern highbush cultivars like Legacy, O’Neal, and Star are prone to crop loss due to late spring freezes and may require freeze protection irrigation.

To select ripe blueberries, choose firm, plump, dry blueberries with dusty blue color and of uniform in size.

With Rabbiteye blueberries – pick every 7-10 days to allow fruit to fully ripen. With Highbush and southern highbush blueberries –pick all ripe berries every 5-7 days or less. The general guidelines are to pick all ripe fruit on the bush at each visit.

To avoid decay, do not handle fruit when it is wet. Refrigerated berries will last for to 2 weeks. Blueberries are also very easy to freeze for use later.

To learn more about growing blueberries visit this site:

Blueberry Notes

For information about freezing blueberries check out this NC State Extension leaflet:

Blueberry