When is Blueberry Season? Plus, How to Tell When the Fruit is Ripe

2023-03-11
When is Blueberry Season? Plus, How to Tell When the Fruit is Ripe

Blueberry plants thrive in the hot days and cool nights of summer, which are the conditions they need to produce their sweet, smooth-skinned fruits that berry lovers can’t get enough of. The blueberry growing season starts in the spring with the appearance of delicate, bell-shaped blossoms that are white to pink in color. Once pollinated, those flowers develop into delicious berries over a few weeks' time. Here’s what you need to know to make the most of blueberry season, including its timing, how long it lasts, and how to tell when the fruit is truly ripe.

Which season is blueberry season?

Blueberry season is when the fruit is in its prime and ready to be harvested for the freshest tasting berries with outstanding flavor. According to the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC), the blueberry harvest season in North America runs from April to late September. Exact timing depends on the weather conditions of where they’re grown, so the best month for blueberries in Michigan will be different than Maine or Florida.

How Long Blueberry Season Lasts

In addition to climate, when your area's blueberry season is also dependent on the variety. Here are typical blueberry harvest times for regions in the United States.

California: March–June

Northeast: Late July–September

Southeast: April–May

Midwest: Mid-July–Early September

Rocky Mountains: Mid-July–Early September

Northwest: July–September

Southwest: April–June

How to Tell When Blueberries Are Ripe

You can't go by the size of blueberry fruits to determine ripeness because that will vary depending on genetics. Generally, wild blueberry plants produce 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. When this fast-growing fruit is ripe enough for picking, it will be blue (or sometimes pink, depending on the variety) all the way around. Then let the fruit hang for another three to four days because that’s when they’ll have the most sweetness and flavor.

The area around the stem that connects to the fruit will be the last to ripen; if this area is still green or reddish, the berry is not quite ready to be picked. As the berries ripen to a deep purple-blue to blue-black, they’ll develop a protective waxy coating known as the bloom. 

Blueberry Picking Tips

Don’t rush to pick the berries as soon as they turn color because the berry is often blue for quite a while before it’s fully ripe. Wait a few days and pick the ripe blueberries when they fall off in your hand when lightly touched. All the fruit on a blueberry plant doesn't ripen at the same time, so check the remaining blueberries on the stems every day to monitor their ripeness.

How to Get the Best Blueberry Harvest

To achieve the best fruit production, you should plant at least two different blueberry cultivars, so it can cross pollinate and produce an ongoing harvest from midsummer through fall. But if you have limited planting space, you can still get a lot of berries with only one cultivar because most blueberry plants can pollinate themselves. The exception is rabbiteye blueberries (Vaccinium virgatum).

It’s normal for blueberry plants to not have much fruit for the first 2 to 3 years, so don’t get discouraged about a small harvest. 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 your blueberry plants productive is to keep 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

  • Should blueberries be refrigerated?

    It’s important to know how 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. Store unwashed berries in a single layer—such as in a short, wide storage container—to keep the fruit from getting crushed. Line the container with paper towels to absorb excess moisture, then loosely cover.

  • How do the growing conditions of blueberries differ from other berry plants?

    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. The species evolved in swamps, wetlands, and along ponds, so it generally tolerates fluctuating soil conditions better than other plants.

  • Can you buy blueberries year round?

    It’s always summer somewhere, so getting your hands on fresh blueberries all year round is quite easy. And if you want blueberries ready at hand to make blueberry pancakes, or blueberry desserts, buy them from your grocery store’s freezer section or freeze your own blueberries.

Related Article

How to Plant and Grow a Sourwood Tree

How to Plant and Grow a Sourwood Tree

This guide to growing sourwood, anative tree that offers year-round interest, includes must-know planting, pruning, and other care tips.
How to Plant and Grow Weigela

How to Plant and Grow Weigela

Learn to grow weigela, which comes in various sizes, shapes, and colors. They grow quickly so you'll have a beautiful shrub very soon after planting.
How and When to Prune Clematis Vines to Get the Most Flowers

How and When to Prune Clematis Vines to Get the Most Flowers

Pruning clematis correctly, depending on the group it's in, will help your vine look its best year after year.
19 Colorful Window Box Ideas to Brighten Up Your Exterior

19 Colorful Window Box Ideas to Brighten Up Your Exterior

Use these window box ideas for a no-fail way to dress up your home. We share the right plant combinations to create maximum curb appeal.
25 Outdoor Succulent Container Ideas that Resist Heat and Drought

25 Outdoor Succulent Container Ideas that Resist Heat and Drought

These outdoor succulent container ideas feature not only dramatic arrangements, but resistance to heat and drought.
How to Plant and Grow Anemone Bulbs

How to Plant and Grow Anemone Bulbs

Add a splash of springtime color to your yard with bulb-type anemones. Learn how and where to plant the bulbs and care for the plants to enjoy their beautiful flowers.
How to Grow and Care for Cordyline Plants in Your Garden or Home

How to Grow and Care for Cordyline Plants in Your Garden or Home

Learn how to plant and care for cordyline to add a tropical feel to your garden or home, including watering, light, and soil requirements.
How to Plant and Grow Clivia

How to Plant and Grow Clivia

Find out how to grow clivia to enjoy its vibrant blooms in your home or garden.
How to Plant and Grow Water Clover

How to Plant and Grow Water Clover

Water clover may look like a dense mat of lucky four-leaf clovers, but it’s actually a fast-growing aquatic fern.
14 Easy Landscaping Ideas to Create Lots of Visual Variety

14 Easy Landscaping Ideas to Create Lots of Visual Variety

New to landscaping? Try our easy landscaping ideas to get maximum impact in your garden. We'll help you plan for color, texture, contrast, and more.
Make Your Yard a Relaxing Oasis by Adding an Outdoor Wellness Space

Make Your Yard a Relaxing Oasis by Adding an Outdoor Wellness Space

Who among us isn't interested in being more relaxed? Creating outdoor spaces that promote wellness and relaxation is a trend we love, and these experts agree.
This Hosta-Filled Shade Garden Plan Is Perfect for Planting Around Trees

This Hosta-Filled Shade Garden Plan Is Perfect for Planting Around Trees

Transform empty areas around trees into a lush display with this hosta-filled shade garden plan.
6 Natural Ways to Keep Mosquitoes from Ruining the Party

6 Natural Ways to Keep Mosquitoes from Ruining the Party

Get these annoying pests to bug off without having to spray harsh pesticides.
How to Get Rid of Flea Beetles in Your Garden

How to Get Rid of Flea Beetles in Your Garden

Learn how to identify, treat, and prevent flea beetle damage in your garden with this beginner-friendly guide.
How to Prune a Lemon Tree—8 Tips for Making the Right Cuts

How to Prune a Lemon Tree—8 Tips for Making the Right Cuts

These key techniques and tips for when and how to prune a lemon tree will help you maintain a healthy and productive plant.
The 10 Best Companion Plants for Strawberries

The 10 Best Companion Plants for Strawberries

Since they make sweet treats for pests, the right strawberry companion plants can protect your fruit garden. Here are the ten best.
12 Tips for Designing a Beautiful Flower Garden

12 Tips for Designing a Beautiful Flower Garden

With these landscape design tips, even a beginner gardener can create a magnificent and mesmerizing flower garden full of blooms and curb appeal.
How to Plant a Border Garden that Will Add Color to Your Landscape

How to Plant a Border Garden that Will Add Color to Your Landscape

Learn how to create a vibrant border garden that will compliment your landscape and provide visual appeal of completeness.
15 Rooftop Plants That Will Elevate Your Your Garden

15 Rooftop Plants That Will Elevate Your Your Garden

From groundcovers to shrubs and small trees, these top-notch rooftop plants thrive despite tough growing conditions such as high winds found at higher elevations.
Top Plants for Florida Landscaping and Gardens

Top Plants for Florida Landscaping and Gardens

The tropical environment means top plants for Florida will thrive and grow, adding lush, green bulbs, trees and perennials to landscapes and gardens.