Growing Blueberries In the South

In the U.S. blueberries are most often thought of as plants that are grown in the northeastern states, and generally not a plant for hot and humid states. Most people also don't think of vineyards and wineries when they think of Florida.

Nor, do most people think of blueberries when they think of a fruited wine. It's time to change that thinking, and share what Florida blueberry farms know about this super fruit.

Here's just one example of some of the exciting things that are happening in the world of blueberries. Just a couple of miles off Interstate 4, in Plant City, Florida is a blueberry farm extraordinaire.

It's not particularly big, just a mere twenty-five acres with about seventy-five thousand blue berry plants on it. It didn't start out to be a winery. It's the genius of one native blueberry farmer, who had only been in the business for less than ten years

Now back in 2003, Joe Keel, had a problem. Blueberries ripen in Florida in April, and what berries can't be sold fresh during the season, end up being frozen. Everyone knows that fresh blueberries vs. frozen blueberries -- just aren't the same.

What could he do with his excess frozen blueberries that would still taste good?

The usual solutions came to mind:

• Blueberry Jellies
• Blueberry Jams
• Blueberry Pies
• Blueberry Muffins

Somehow that seemed just to tired and not as profitable as he dreamed of. Joe then remembered, blueberry wines. Was there a market in fruited wines? More importantly, was there a market in high bush blueberries that are hand-picked?

Joe Keel knew the blueberry farming end of the business and teamed up with a man from Vermont, Chase Marden -- who had experience in developing fruit wines. They came up with the label of "Keel and Curley" and began bottling 100% blueberry wines.

For the past ten years, they've been making blueberry wine history and their patrons and customers are blueberry thrilled. Two hundred thousand bottles of wine this year are a fine testament to their success. If you are ever in Central Florida, their interesting additions to wines can be found in most Publix Grocery stores.

• As with any plant, buy healthy young plants
• Blueberries do better with a 2nd variety as a cross pollinator
• Always plant blueberries in the spring (here in Florida that means planting them from mid-December to mid-February)
• Always plant blueberries in full sun
• Blueberries should be lightly pruned at the time of planting
• Always plant blueberries in acidic soils with a pH of 4.0 to 4.5 (If your soil is not acid enough, increase acidity before planting)
• Unlike other fruits, blueberries actually can thrive in clay or other poor soils
• Pine bark mulch works very well with blueberry plants
• Blueberries need frequent and light fertilization (1 ounce per plant of 12-4-8 with 2% magnesium at initial planting on ground, not in the plant hole)
• Camellia-azalea fertilizers work well on blueberry plants
• Blueberry plants do not like to be near any kind of tree
• Blueberry plants need to be spaced widely apart, approximately five to six feet and in rows that are at least eight to ten feet apart
• Always keep a thick layer of mulch around blueberry plants as they are weed intolerant and need moist soil
• Water well in the first weeks for optimum root growth
• Blueberries require adequate drainage
• Beware of blueberries and birds -- they will be your biggest challenge in growing blueberries
• Blueberries require patience, as it takes three years to really harvest their fruit from a new blueberry bush
• Add fertilizer each spring and at the beginning of fall for next year's growth
• Blueberries can successfully be grown in containers

Normally, blueberries can't be container grown unless you understand that you must buy the dwarf variety. The standard blueberry bush would grow too massive to be successfully grown in container pots.

I have grown the dwarf variety of blueberries here in Florida for a number of years and have always had to seek my plant sources from mail order catalogs or online.

Since blueberry bushes grow for a number of years, this has worked out very well and provided us with many enjoyable blueberry harvests with minimal effort once having established them.

There are only four things that are important to remember with container grown blueberries:

1. The containers must be well draining pots.
2. Your soil must be the right acid ph.
3. They need full sun.
4. They should be placed where they don't have to be moved.

The sole reason I grow them in containers is that this is one sure way to control the bird issue, as a container grown bush is easily protected from birds.

One of my favorite things to do with excess blueberries is to make Blueberry Sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of fresh picked blueberries
• 3 to 4 tablespoons of water
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 cup of cold water
• 1/4 cup of sugar (sometimes I substitute 1 cup of honey).

Instructions:

• Boil the blueberries in 3 to 4 tablespoons of water.
• Stir cornstarch into 1/4 cup of cold water.
• Stir into hot blueberries with sugar (or honey).
• Stir over medium heat until thickened and clear.
• Serve immediately

Note: Normally, I spread it over cake, ice cream, bread pudding, or regular puddings. Also if you are using blueberries in muffins or cakes and don't want your delicious culinary delight to be "too blue" -- coat your blueberries with flour or cornstarch first, before mixing them in your batter.

The honeybee plays an important role in the growing of blueberries. Growers like Keel and Curley have to resort to renting honeybee hives to help with the pollination process.

A long time ago bee hives could be rented for ten dollars per hive -- it takes two hives per acre, so a vineyard of twenty-five acres would need fifty hives -- today, that means an extra expense of one hundred and fifty dollars

They have the bees sent in around the middle of January each year when the first sign of blooms opening.

Later by late March, once all of the blooms are certain to have been pollinated, the honeybees are no longer needed.

Once the pollinated bloom falls to the ground the actual blueberry starts to take shape -- an eight to ten week process, the blueberries are finally fully ripe.

One old time drink dating back to Civil War times, is still often served here in the South, is called "blueberry tea."

Actually, it really had no blueberries in it, but does according to some, taste like blueberries. It was usually served as a hot toddy. It's ingredients are:

• 1 oz. amaretto almond liquor
• 1 oz. orange liquor
• Hot tea to taste

Today, however, you can buy blueberry flavored teas that can be served hot or cold. You can also make your favorite iced tea and add either blueberries or blueberry juice to the drink.