The blueberry crop has not been great this year, but some patches are thriving
NEGAUNEE TOWNSHIP -- You may need to look harder than normal, but they're out there. This year's blueberry crop has had something of a mixed season. While some locations have been thriving, blueberries just aren't at their best.
On Facebook, Kenneth Hurrell says, "Not good this year, have been out looking and none to be found."
You can normally find blueberries growing in open fields and sandy areas or around pine trees, but thanks to a warm start to our spring followed by colder and drier conditions, they're now more likely to be found in shaded and moist areas.
"They're really not that picky, but just a few off days can ruin the crop. So you can put a little bit of human input in and make a big difference," said Meredith Seppanen, a blueberry picker from Ishpeming.
If nature won't cooperate, try a sprinkler. Or for more long-term benefits, you can take a more drastic approach. Wildfires encourage blueberry growth by forcing nutrients from the trees into the earth. If you don't want to ignite a blaze in your own backyard, you can imitate the effects by cutting the plants down and leaving the remains as mulch.
"It's like a chainsaw prune. Sometimes even running them over with a lawn mower, even though you won't get a good crop this year, within two years you'll be surprised at how much comes back," Seppanen said.
At Spiessl's Produce in Ishpeming, blueberries are one of their biggest sellers. They sell blueberries from various locations across the country depending on the success of the crops. They're currently selling some from downstate, but later in July, they'll be selling blueberries from the Copper Country, where blueberries have been flourishing. Although blueberries in the U.P. have been less than great this year, the upcoming seasons are looking optimistic.
"With all the wildfires, I believe that the future blueberries will be good," said employee Maureen Spiessl.
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