Jersey Blueberry Bushes

History

• In 1908, U.S. Department of Agriculture researcher Frederick Coville began seeking superior wild blueberries to breed into a commercial crop. In 1911, market grower Elizabeth White invited him to partner with her in the search for a marketable blueberry, and the pair produced their first crop in 1916 at Whitesbog, New Jersey: the New Jersey blueberry.

Characteristics

• Jersey blueberry, a cold-hardy variety, grows 6 by 6 feet. The bushes bloom in May and fruit from July through September. A mature bush can yield 10 pounds per season. Blueberries are self-fertile, meaning they produce a crop without a pollinator plant. However, planting two different varieties results in a better crop on both, due to cross-pollination.

Culture

• Jersey blueberries need full sun and well-drained, acid soil, so amend the planting area with an acid planting mix, spaghnum peat moss, homemade compost and/or sulfur. Mulch with sawdust, wood chips or pine needles. Water blueberries weekly, soaking them with at least 5 gallons of water at a time. Feed in early spring with a fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants, often sold as rhododendron, camellia or azalea fertilizer. Cover the plants with netting before the fruit ripens, or birds will eat your crop.

Health Benefits

• Blueberries are among the highest-ranking fruits for antioxidants, which help protect the human body from diseases such as cancer and heart disease. They also have anti-bacterial properties and can aid in preventing urinary tract infections.