There are two types of blueberry plants that grow in Michigan: lowbush blueberry and highbush blueberry. Wild lowbush blueberry is native to Atlantic Canada, Quebec and Maine. These plants are low growing plants that produce small, wild tasting blueberries.
Are there wild blueberries in Michigan?
Some berries found in Michigan include brambles (raspberries and blackberries), blueberries, strawberries and juneberries.
What state are blueberries native to?
Origin and history of cultivation
Highbush blueberries were first cultivated in New Jersey around the beginning of the 20th century. North American native species of blueberries are grown commercially in the Southern Hemisphere in Australia, New Zealand and South American nations.
Where do blueberries grow natively?
Blueberry bushes can grow all over the U.S., and farmers in 26 states produce blueberries commercially. More than 98% of that production happens in just 10 states, spanning the country from coast to coast: Oregon, Washington, Georgia, Michigan, California, New Jersey, North Carolina, Florida, Texas and Minnesota.
What percentage of blueberries come from Michigan?
Michigan produced 65 million pounds last year, according to the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), which was 32.2 percent of North America’s cultivated crop of 201.4 million pounds.
What fruits naturally grow in Michigan?
What Fruit Trees Grow in Michigan?
- Apples. Grown throughout the state, but arguably the only fruit tree that reliably produces a crop in the Upper Peninsula, apple is the most important commercial fruit crop in Michigan.
- Cherries. Both sweet and sour cherry trees grow in Michigan.
- Peaches.
- Pears.
- Uncommon Fruits.
What berries are poisonous in Michigan?
The most commonly found poisonous berries in the mid-Atlantic region include:
- American Bittersweet. American bittersweet is a woody vine often used in fall wreaths and dried flower arrangements.
- Cotoneaster.
- Holly.
- Juniper.
- Pokeweed.
- Yew.
What is the blueberry capital of Michigan?
SOUTH HAVEN
SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. — Often called the blueberry capital of the world — or at least one of them — this southwestern Michigan port town is celebrating its 49th annual National Blueberry Festival in August.
What is the blueberry capital of the United States?
Hammonton is a town in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, known as the “Blueberry Capital of the World”.
| Hammonton, New Jersey | |
|---|---|
| • Total | 41.32 sq mi (107.01 km2) |
| • Land | 40.75 sq mi (105.54 km2) |
| • Water | 0.57 sq mi (1.46 km2) 1.37% |
Where is the blueberry capital of the world?
Hammonton, New Jersey
A farmworker from Guatemala in Hammonton, New Jersey. Hammonton calls itself “the Blueberry Capital of the World,” with 56 farms in a town of 14,000 people.
Are blueberries invasive?
Over time, the size of the blueberry bush grows gradually as new suckers form. Some plants, like blackberries, spread aggressively using this method, but the spread of blueberries is slow and not invasive in the home garden.
Are blueberries indigenous to North America?
Our favorite boost of blue isn’t new – blueberries, native to North America, have been part of life here for 13,000 years. The first highbush blueberry bush was successfully cultivated for commercial production in the early 1900s, and today, we grow nearly 1 billion pounds of blueberries in North America each year.
Are wild blueberries actually wild?
Genetic composition. Those differences in taste, color and size are largely due to genetic diversity. As mentioned before, wild blueberries grow 100% wild – not planted or tampered with by people.
What state has the most wild blueberries?
Maine was the leading producer of lowbush, or “wild” blueberries, producing and utilizing 101.6 million pounds. Fresh blueberries accounted for 380,000 pounds, and 101.2 million pounds were processed. In total, fresh and processed wild blueberries were valued at $27.7 million. (NASS 2020).
Why do blueberries grow well in Michigan?
Most of Michigan’s commercial blueberry production is located in southwest Michigan where sandy glacial soils and high water tables result in excellent blueberry soils. These soils are moist with soil pHs in the 4.5 to 5.5 range. Over 20 blueberry varieties are grown in Michigan.
Which U.S. state grows the most blueberries?
Washington
Most Blueberries Come from These 8 States:
Washington – The highest blueberry producing state, with just over 160 million pounds in 2019. Georgia – Not long ago, Georgia only grew about 3,500 acres, but today the state is producing over 20,000 acres.
Are peach trees native to Michigan?
There are two varieties of peaches native to Michigan: sour cherry and sweet. Both varieties are suited to the climate of the lower peninsula. The southern-most peach orchards are located in Oceana County, while the eastern-most orchards are found in Mackinaw County.
What is Michigan’s number one crop?
Potatoes. In terms of revenue and production numbers, potatoes are Michigan’s top crop. Potatoes are grown throughout the state, from the southernmost counties of the Lower Peninsula all the way up into the cold climates of the Upper Peninsula.
What fruit is Michigan known for?
The northwest counties of Michigan are so well known for cherries that Traverse City hosts the annual National Cherry Festival. Michigan is the largest producing region in the world for Montmorency tart cherries. This unique variety is known as “America’s Superfruit.”
Are wild blueberries safe to eat?
While wild blueberries grow throughout the United States, they are most prevalent in Maine and New Jersey. Wild blueberries are safe to eat but taste best when fully ripened. To test for ripeness, tickle the fruit bunches and eat only the fruit that falls off easily.
Where can I pick wild blueberries in Michigan?
“A lot of the areas where blueberries are plentiful are areas that are drier and in particular, what they call Jack Pine Barrens,” Pepin said. According to Pepin, they’re just referred to as barrens. What you’re looking for are dry, sometimes sandy areas, with Jack Pine Trees and ferns.