Mid-Season
Bluecrop The leading commercial variety grown and is especially popular in New Jersey and Michigan. It produces high yields of large, bright blue berries that are firm and grow in large clusters. The berry flavor is superb, fresh or frozen. Bluecrop is known for its hardiness, vigor and consistent production. The plant grows to a height of 4-6 feet.
Best in Zones: 4-7
Flavor: Excellent
Berry Size: Large
Firmness: Very
Freezing Quality: Excellent
Duke is an early-season variety and is extremely popular in the Mid-Atlantic region. It is high-yielding and hardy. The fruit is medium to large, slightly tart, and very firm. It retains its quality better than most other varieties. Duke grows upright to a height of 4-6 feet.
Best in Zones: 4-7
Flavor: Good
Berry Size: Medium
Firmness: Very
Freezing Quality: Excellent
Mid-Season -Late July to Early August
Northland, a variety developed by Michigan State University, has excellent winter hardiness. It has produced a consistent crop following winter temperatures as low as -30F. The medium-size berries are very flavorful - similar to wild blueberries. The plant grows to about 4 feet, with attractive foliage throughout the fall.
Best in Zones: 3-7
Flavor: Excellent
Berry Size: Medium
Firmness: Firm
Freezing Quality: Excellent
Early Season Early to Mid July
Patriot is an early variety released by the University of Maine, where growing seasons are short and winter hardiness is a must. This variety is vigorous and grows upright to a height of 4 to 6 feet. Patriot adapts to many different soil types and has performed better in heavier soil than some other varieties. The fruit is large and has very good flavor.
Best in Zones: 3-7
Flavor: Good/Excellent
Berry Size: Large
Firmness: Moderate
Freezing Quality: Excellent
Early Season Early to Mid July
Reka, an early season blueberry variety bred in New Zealand, is one of the fastest growing and most adaptable varieties we have seen. A very vigorous variety, it grows well in light sandy soils, peat and heavier clay loams and is more tolerant to wetter ground than many other varieties. Reka ripens the season as Duke, but the berries have better flavor. Fruit is an attractive dark-blue color and the plant produces large crops. Its winter hardiness is rated equivalent to Bluecrop.
Best in Zones: 4-7
Flavor: Excellent
Berry Size: Large
Firmness: Firm
Freezing Quality: Excellent
Ripe blueberries should have a completely uniform blue color. Fruit with a red tinge are less mature and will not be as sweet as more mature berries even though they ship well and will turn completely blue within several days.
Ripe blueberries are easily removed from the bush. Fruit should be removed with the thumb and forefinger, keeping the hand cupped under the berry to avoid dropping it. The whitish, dusty appearance (bloom) of the blueberry is highly desirable,a sign of quality. Overhandling the berries will remove the bloom.
