North Carolina Blueberries

Berries are Big Business in North Carolina

First commercially developed and grown in New Jersey, blueberries are now grown across the country and the world, but North Carolina is one of the places they love best. In the wild, blueberries are typically found in or near wetlands, so they thrive in acidic soils that are high in organic matter. These conditions are particularly prevalent in the southeastern part of the state, which is known for its “salt and pepper soils.” Named for their color — which comes from the mixture of light sand and dark organic matter — these soils are slightly acidic and tend to have high water tables — exactly what blueberries crave. While these are poor conditions for most other crops, blueberries are highly productive in such soils, thus making the areas they occur in — namely Bladen, Pender, and Sampson counties — the center of commercial production in North Carolina.

But that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck if you live outside the blueberry belt. So long as their preferred soil conditions are met, which can easily be done through soil amendment, blueberries can be grown throughout the state. To account for the diverse geographic and climatic conditions across the state, farmers grow different varieties of blueberries; the most common ones found in North Carolina are:

Highbush - As you might have guessed from the name — which actually refers to its height advantage over lowbush blueberries — this variety thrives in higher elevations, preferably above 2,500 feet. Therefore, highbush blueberries are most commonly found in the mountains, where the cooler temperatures meet the berries’ high “chilling” requirement — the number of hours below 45°F required for the plant to set flowers. Highbush blueberries ripen early, from mid-May to late June, and are probably the first fresh blueberries you eat each year!

Rabbiteye - Named for their immature pink berries that resemble an albino rabbit’s eye, this variety is native to the southern U.S. and has a lower chilling requirement than highbush berries, so it does well in the warmer climes of the piedmont and coastal plains. Rabbiteyes are generally regarded as the most productive and tolerant blueberry variety in the state, thus making them a favorite among home gardeners and small-scale farms. Rabbiteyes ripen later, so by the time highbush berries are waning, these berries will be ready step in from mid-June to mid-August and sweeten the rest of your summer!

Southern Highbush - Bred as a cross between highbush and rabbiteye berries that seeks the best of both, the southern highbush blueberry boasts greater adaptability and moderate chilling requirements that make it a popular commercial choice through the piedmont and coastal plains. Like highbush berries, most cultivars ripens throughout May and June and are some of the first local berries of the season.

A Spoonful of Sugar Helps the Medicine Go Down

Or maybe a handful of blueberries is more accurate? Although we often associate them with dessert due to their sweetness, blueberries are actually nutritional powerhouses that may improve your health in the long-term. These nutrient dense delights are loaded with anthocyanin flavonoids, antioxidants, essential vitamins and minerals, and dietary fiber, all while containing just 80 calories per cup.

Multiple scientific studies have linked high blueberry consumption to potential improved health outcomes, including heart health, weight maintenance, higher cognitive skills, diabetes prevention, and gut health. Most researchers recommend eating a cup of fresh or frozen mixed berries a day or one-and-a-half cups a week for optimal effect.

 Curious about the future of blueberries in human health? Check out this video from N.C. State University’s Plants for Human Health Institute to learn more!