Despite some of the frost events from earlier this spring, small fruit harvest is starting in Michigan’s most southwestern counties.
“Southwest Michigan is always some of the first areas to have blueberries ready to go,” said Kevin Robson, executive director of the Michigan Blueberry Commission. “There’s no doubt about it that our farmers have been tested multiple times this year with some frost events and cold weather that happened in March and the first part of April. Now as we’re coming into the growing season, we’re having to deal with adverse weather events.”
Robson said the dry weather hasn’t done too much harm to the state’s crop since the majority of blueberry acres are irrigated.
“The ponds are down, there’s no doubt about it,” he said. “Farmers have been using a lot of water for frost protection early on in the season, and then they’ve been using quite a bit of water recently to keep the bushes hydrated and growing.”
Some of the older varieties were impacted by frost this year, but the bushes protected by Lake Michigan or a tree line fared well.
“They’re turning color right now, so they should be here in a week or so—there will be blueberries ready in Berrien County,” said Robson.
Robson added that the Michigan Blueberry Commission has been investing in research projects that enhance production practices.
“We’re really looking forward to some of these newer varieties that are going to be producing blueberries this year, having a better storage life for the end of the season, they’ll do better in those late-season conditions,” he said. “Overall from a blueberry grower’s perspective, we’re looking pretty optimistic for 2021.”
