Once pollinated, those flowers develop into delicious berries over a few weeks' time.
Which season is blueberry season?
Here are typical blueberry harvest times for regions in the United States.
Credit: Rob Cardillo
Generally, wildblueberry plantsproduce smaller fruit than the cultivated blueberry fruit seen in grocery stores and fruit stands.
Not enough water when the fruit is developing also leads to smaller berries.
A more reliable way to harvest the ripest blueberries is to keep an eye on the color development.
Wait a few days and pick the ripe blueberries when they fall off in your hand when lightly touched.
The exception is rabbiteye blueberries(Vaccinium virgatum).
It generally takes about 6 years for most blueberry plants to reach full production.
Blueberry plants grow slowly and will reach their full size in 8 to 10 years.
To keep hungry birds away from the berries, tie some reflective streamers on to the blueberry branches.
The best way to keep yourblueberry plants productiveis tokeep them pruned.
In addition to maintaining a desirable plant size, pruning can boost fruit yields.
Blueberries produce their best fruit on growth from the previous season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Its important to knowhow to store berries to keep them fresh.
Blueberries should be refrigerated after you get them home from the grocery store or from a u-pick farm.
Line the container with paper towels to absorb excess moisture, then loosely cover.
Blueberry plants grow best in soils that are acidic with a pH of 4.5 to 5.0.
They like soil that is uniformly moist (not wet) and nutrient poor.
Its always summer somewhere, so getting your hands on fresh blueberries all year round is quite easy.
