Some years the florida season overlaps with the imported blueberries on the front end, or we can overlap a little on the backside with the seasons of georgia and the carolinas. Whats in season in may 2020, and other timely information. We have opened april 1, 2020 for this years blueberry picking season. Florida blueberry growers in battle for survival news the. The blueberry season is late this year with the blueberries just being picked.
Strawberry fields are often opened for upick after the end of the commercial season and is also dependent on the weather. Mar 29, 2020 blueberries are in and so are blackberries here in central fl. The rabbiteye blueberry is a handsome plant which is native to north florida. Florida strawberry growers association 106,006 views 3. However, commercial farms do not open their fields to upickers until the end of the season, which is usually in april depending on the weather. Blueberry season in california and in texas will follow, from may to july in both states. Apr 16, 2018 florida blueberry season is a short window usually lasting about 6 weeks with peak season in midtolate april. Its blueberry picking time in northwest florida walton. Lakeland some florida blueberry growers are singing the blues at the end of a moderately profitable season. Blueberry downs pick your own blueberries in anthony, fl.
When i moved to florida, i was surprised to find that the blueberry season is april through may. Blueberry season ripening in central florida orlando sentinel. Florida blueberry season is officially here the popularity of blueberries in recent years is undeniable. Florida blueberry season is a short window usually lasting about 6 weeks with peak season in midtolate april. Theyre characterized by a sweet, large berry with a silvery blush, and require fewer hours of chilling, so theyre able to tolerate floridas heat and mild winters. To learn more about growing your own blueberry plants, go to. We have been growing sunshine blue for several years here in florida and it is truly amazing. As a matter of fact people in northern california also grow them. The first blueberries in florida are being picked for the season as growers begin what is the first us domestic season blueberries for. It is remarkably well adapted to the climate in the northern part of the state, and to a lesser extent, in central florida. Most deciduous fruits do not grow well in florida because they require a winter chilling period to set fruit. Pick your own blueberries in florida, fl pickyourown. Blueberries from florida is sponsored by the florida blueberry growers association.
Most deciduous fruit cultivars have high chilling requirements and do not grow well in florida. With our love for blueberries, hard work, and use of the newest technologies. Locally, obrien family farms has blueberry bushes on the property for fresh picking for you to pick your own in the florida sunshine. Gainer blueberry farm 2876 orange hill road, chipley, fl 32428 open starting june 7 thurs. It looks like a berry good year for florida blueberry farmers. The farm gladly provides a bucket and instructions for a berry nice day. And, florida varieties produce only 4 to 5 pounds of berries per bush, while northern bushes can yield up to 20 pounds of fruit. As floridas blueberry season heads into its final weeks, central florida growers expect their plants to produce less fruit this year after hurricane irmas devastating winds broke off. Floridas winter season is short and mild with intermittent periods of warm temperatures. Central florida blueberry upick info southern hill farms.
This is a short video of a local grower and his youpick farm located about a mile from the villages, florida. Florida blueberry plants are a variety called southern highbush, as opposed to northern highbush grown north of the state. Garden guides how to plant blueberry bushes in florida. I want share with you a few highlights from some of the differents states blueberry seasons. Coronavirus covid19 information and resources for travelers skip to main content. We provide the discriminating blueberry consumer with highquality fresh fruit in late march, april and early may. Upick season for blueberries usually starts at the beginning of april depending on the weather. The season gives florida farmers an advantage by limiting their competition. Blueberry season means long, hot summer days with icycold lemonade.
Going to the berry farms is free, the berries you pick are reasonably priced much less expensive than the blueberries in store, and everyone works together as a family. And, florida varieties produce only 4 to 5 pounds of berries per bush, while northern bushes can yield up. The farm is family owned and along with our employees we work hard to make the best and most tasty blueberries in florida. Soil ph is another factor to consider when growing blueberries in florida. Florida crops in season florida department of agriculture. For areas south of ocala and north of sebring, the southern highbush blueberry is a better choice than the rabbiteye. While blueberries have grown wild in florida for hundreds of years it is only in the last several decades that farmers began commercially cultivating the crop. Florida, which falls between usda hardiness zones 8 and 11, has short, mild winters and hot summers. Blueberry season typically runs from early june through early july. Florida upick blueberry farmsblueberries from florida. Its florida blueberry season call florida home real estate.
Please feel free to bring container to transport your berries home. The 2018 florida blueberry season is in full swing and crops are especially tasty. All florida department of agriculture and consumer services offices will be closed to the public until may 17 the department is working in collaboration with other state and local officials to ensure the safety of our employees and community. Florida upick blueberry farms there are some blueberry upick farms in florida open during the entire season december april. Mar 15, 2019 the first blueberries in florida are being picked for the season as growers begin what is the first us domestic season blueberries for the year. Floridas upick blueberry season is in full swing from april to may, so check the schedule here to find a farm in central florida. While blueberry season seems a little early this year, summer is so close. Blueberry season also means scarves and steaminghot muffins. Blueberry bunch farm, is floridas most southern blueberry farm.
Since the winter season in florida is mild and warm, not all blueberries will grow there. Bmb farms is a upick blueberry farm with the occasional addition of other fruitveggies for upickpurchase. You will find the first blueberries of the year during april and may in florida. The funk stems from the fact that the industrys longterm outlook remains glum. Pete crosby owns and operates blue sky farm an organic upick blueberry farm in monticello florida. Apr 29, 2018 as florida s blueberry season heads into its final weeks, central florida growers expect their plants to produce less fruit this year after hurricane irmas devastating winds broke off limbs and. Apr 06, 2020 update 5420 due to current social distancing guidelines and floridas safer at home order, some blueberry farms are not opening for upick this year, or may change their operations on short notice.
This document is hs967, one of a series of the department of horticultural sciences, florida cooperative extension service, institute of food and. Apr 16, 2020 pete crosby owns and operates blue sky farm an organic upick blueberry farm in monticello florida. Find recipes, blueberry news, growing tips, and all things blueberry. Florida blueberry growers welcome fresh blueberry lovers. How to choose and grow the best blueberries in south florida. There are many farms from plant city to odessa that are offering upick blueberries for the 2020 season. Upick strawberries are typically february and march, then tapers off in april. Last year, my husband and i went to a upick farm and loaded our freezer up for the year of blueberries. Apr 17, 2016 the season gives florida farmers an advantage by limiting their competition. Nov 22, 2017 soil ph is another factor to consider when growing blueberries in florida. First florida blueberries being picked for the season. Guide to blueberry season in pensacola pensacola with kids. Jun 11, 2012 i want share with you a few highlights from some of the differents states blueberry seasons.
Florida blueberry season is officially here wish farms. Fl blueberry season arrives early as import season winds down. Blueberries typically ripen from april in florida and texas through june and august in the upper midwest and new england. Mississippis blueberry season is june through july. This high bush blueberry only requires 150 hours of chill. April is the month when its time to visit a commercial grower and start picking. Blueberries are easy to grow in north florida grow. Sep 21, 2017 florida, which falls between usda hardiness zones 8 and 11, has short, mild winters and hot summers. If you live in florida, lowchill blueberry cultivars can produce fruit in mild winter climates. May 02, 2016 mississippis blueberry season is june through july.
The start of april brings tampa bay areas upick blueberry season. Upick blueberry season is in full swing right now april may and theres probably a farm near you. Our blueberry jubilee festival is always a lot of fun and hot. Blueberries in florida ufifas extension indian river county. The farm is 4 acres and has all natural blueberry plants. Check kirland farms blog for updates on current upick dates. Why not make this a family event and pick ur own at one of the awesome family blueberry farms in the west florida area. Blueberries, however, are one deciduous fruit that has adapted well to floridas climate. Young blueberry plant with blueberry stem blight caused by stress associated with fruit set without leaves.
Apr 30, 2019 lakeland some florida blueberry growers are singing the blues at the end of a moderately profitable season. This blueberry bush is a real champion in south florida. The membership of the florida blueberry growers association is dedicated to one thing and one thing only. Our love for heathy food and fruits lead us to purchase the farm 15 years ago. Blueberries, however, are one deciduous fruit that has adapted well to florida s climate. The blueberry fields at blueberry downs are well kept, clean and organized. Blueberries are in and so are blackberries here in central fl. The friendly staff offers personal attention for all of your blueberry picking needs. Maassens berry patch delicious blueberries from arcadia, fl. There are some blueberry upick farms in florida open during the entire season december april. Like strawberry picking, blueberry picking is a great activity to do together as a family. June dominates as the month for blueberry production and festivals unlike strawberries, which grow almost anywhere, blueberries are grown commercially in half as many states. Apr 23, 2019 florida strawberry growers association 106,006 views 3.
Sure, florida has always been known for fresh, delicious citrus, fat tomatoes and even its juicy red strawberries, but now blueberries are entering the arena. The season in new jersey is a big hit with a huge production filling the stores between late june and august. Bring the family and enjoy the morning or afternoon picking beautiful, ripe, and juicy florida blueberries. You can taste blueberry everything from pies, ice cream, jams, and more. Not only are blueberries the perfect ingredient to many recipes, they are also a superfood rich in essential vitamins. Florida offers the first blueberry crop of the year to make a scene on the national level, giving them a huge advantage. Pick your own blueberries in central florida pickyourown. Of course florida is known as one of the worlds leading citrus fruit providers, but we also have a lot of blueberry farms. The season is wedged between blueberry seasons in chile and georgia, and wish farms is keeping the organic blueberry train rolling with their innovative new farm misty organics. Picking blueberries at blueberry downs, located in a beautiful setting in anthony, florida is great family fun for all ages.
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