Welcome friend! As a proud New Jersey native and home improvement expert, I‘m so excited to share this comprehensive guide to blueberry season in our beautiful state. Get ready for a mouthwatering summer adventure!
When is Blueberry Season in New Jersey?
Wondering when you can get your hands on fresh, local blueberries? Here‘s an overview of the typical timing:
-
Early to mid June – The very beginning of the season when early ripeners like Duke and Spartan come in. Yields are still limited at this stage.
-
Late June – Harvest picks up steam as popular mid-season varieties like Bluecrop reach optimal ripeness. Berries become more readily available.
-
July – Without a doubt, the peak of blueberry season in New Jersey! Berries are abundant, sweet and juicy during the long, sunny days of July. This is the prime time for picking your own or frequenting farmers markets.
-
Early August – The tail end of the season with high bush varieties still going strong. Quantities start to dwindle a bit but there are still great berries to be had in early August.
-
Mid to late August – Supplies decline as the season winds down. Some late-ripening varieties may still be available.
Here‘s a helpful table summarizing the season:
| Month | What‘s Happening |
|---|---|
| Early – Mid June | Early varieties starting to ripen |
| Late June | Harvest picks up |
| July | Peak season! |
| Early August | Winding down but still plenty |
| Mid – Late August | Limited availability |
Now keep in mind, the exact timing in any given year depends on weather patterns and other farming conditions. I always recommend calling your favorite pick-your-own farm or checking their website for current updates on crop status and harvesting schedules.
Celebrating Jersey Blueberries
One of my favorite parts of blueberry season here in the Garden State is all the festivities! Here are some signature events:
Hammonton Blueberry Festival
-
Held every July in Hammonton, NJ, this is a must-do festival!
-
Full day event with live music, food vendors, crafts, pie eating contests and more
-
Local farms offer u-pick opportunities so festivalgoers can pick fresh blueberries
-
Hammonton dubs itself the "Blueberry Capital of the World" – they‘ve been major producers since the 1950s
Whitesbog Blueberry Festival
-
Takes place annually in mid July in the historic village of Whitesbog
-
Honors the town‘s legacy as site of the very first commercial blueberries in NJ back in 1916
-
Family-friendly activities teaching about blueberry cultivation and history
-
Showcases Whitesbog and other local blueberry farms
Red White and Blueberry Festival
-
Late July festival held in Pemberton, NJ
-
5 acre u-pick farm opens for festival attendees
-
Enjoy blueberry inspired food, live music, crafts, and family activities
-
Berry pie baking contest – chefs compete for best blueberry creation!
Bloomfield Blueberry Festival
-
Popular late August street fair in downtown Bloomfield
-
Blocks of food trucks, music, craft vendors, contests and kids‘ activities
-
A sweet summer sendoff highlighting NJ‘s blueberry bounty
With so many fun events to choose from, you‘re sure to find a festival that appeals to you and your family!
Why New Jersey Blueberries Are So Good
Wondering what makes the Garden State such an amazing place to grow delicious blueberries? Here are the key reasons:
Climate
New Jersey‘s humid, continental climate with warm humid summers is ideal for blueberry plants. They thrive with hot summer temperatures plus adequate rainfall.
Soil Composition
Jersey blueberries grow well in the state‘s naturally acidic, sandy soils. This is especially true in the Pine Barrens region, which has a high sand content.
Long History
New Jersey has an extensive background of cultivating blueberries, dating all the way back to 1916 when the first commercial crop was harvested.
Leading Producers
Major New Jersey blueberry farms like Hammonton Blueberry Farm, Atlantic Blueberry Company, and Whitesbog Blueberry Farm significantly contribute to the state‘s massive yields.
High Bush Varieties
Unlike wild, low bush berries, New Jersey focuses mainly on the high bush varieties which produce substantially bigger yields.
Local Breeding
Rutgers and other New Jersey institutions have breeding programs to develop customized blueberry varieties optimized for our growing conditions.
Supporting Industries
Nearby processors, packagers, and food manufacturers provide infrastructure to harvest, process, and get NJ berries to market.
With this ideal environment, it‘s no wonder New Jersey delivers such top-quality blueberries each summer!
Pick Your Own Blueberry Farms in NJ
Personally, I love heading out to pick my own juicy, flavorful Jersey blueberries. Here are some excellent u-pick farms to check out:
North Jersey U-Pick Farms
- Happy Day Farm – Manalapan, NJ – family-run for over 60 years!
- Alstede Farms – Chester, NJ – pick then enjoy lunch and activities
- Elwood Blueberry Farm – Hammonton, NJ – open late for evening picking
- Cranberry Hall Farm – White Township, NJ – picturesque views
Central Jersey U-Pick Farms
- Battleview Orchards – Freehold Township – 10 acres, lots of variety!
- Wemrock Orchards – Freehold, NJ – 6 different blueberry varieties
- Emery‘s Berry Farm – New Egypt, NJ – berries and wine tasting!
South Jersey U-Pick Farms
- Blueberry Ridge Farm – Millville, NJ – open late on weeknights
- Gaskos Pick your Own – Cologne, NJ – fun for kids
- Ort Farms – Longport, NJ – been operating since the 1920s
- Kirbys Farm Market – Elmer, NJ – picturesque countryside setting
I recommend calling ahead to check availability, directions, and other updates. Many farms also have helpful picking tips on their sites – don‘t forget your sunscreen!
Enjoying Your Fresh New Jersey Blueberries
Once you‘ve brought home your haul, here are some of my favorite ways to devour NJ‘s amazing blueberries:
-
Mix into yogurt, cereal or oatmeal – great nutrition boost to start your day
-
Top your pancakes or waffles – sweet bursts in every bite!
-
Toss into fruit salads – combine with other summer fruits
-
Blend into smoothies – they create a thick, frosty texture
-
Bake into muffins, pies, crisps – so many sweet treat options
-
Cook down into jams and preserves – capture that summer flavor
-
Grill for unique recipes like blueberry BBQ sauce or blueberry chicken
-
Enjoy plain by the handful for a refreshing snack!
Storing Tip: Wash berries right before eating and keep unwashed ones loosely packed in the fridge.
Fun New Jersey Blueberry Trivia
-
New Jersey produces nearly 40 million pounds of blueberries each year!
-
Over 10,000 acres in NJ are dedicated to blueberry farming.
-
Most blueberries here are the highbush type native to North America.
-
Whitesbog Village grew the nation‘s first commercial blueberries back in 1916.
-
Hammonton dubs itself the "Blueberry Capital of the World."
-
Blueberries have the antioxidant anthocyanin that‘s great for health.
-
NJ‘s acidic, sandy soil makes the ideal environment for blueberries.
How New Jersey Stacks Up to Other States
So how does Jersey stack up against other major blueberry states? Here‘s a comparison:
Michigan
-
Produces the most blueberries in the U.S.
-
Relies on acidic, sandy soils like New Jersey
-
Harvest is concentrated in July and August
Oregon
-
Major producer of wild, low bush blueberries
-
Supplies both cultivated and wild varieties
Georgia
-
Leader in early season blueberries, as early as April
-
Relies on farms with irrigation and planting on raised beds
North Carolina
-
Harvests blueberries May through August
-
Many certified organic blueberry farms
Washington
-
Large supplier of processed blueberries (juices, jams, fillings)
-
Lower production costs allow competitively priced berries
While these states also grow impressive blueberry crops, New Jersey is special for its centuries-long cultivation history, prominence of high bush varieties, iconic blueberry festivals, and farms embracing u-pick.
To sum it up, blueberry season is a highly anticipated summer tradition in New Jersey. July is the peak month where ripe, juicy berries are in abundance. Celebratory festivals like Hammonton give locals and visitors a chance to embrace the state‘s blueberry heritage. The acidic soil, favorable climate, and dedicated growers help make New Jersey a top producer. Pick your own farms offer a quintessential experience. And the bounty of antioxidants and nutrients in fresh blueberries make them a super healthy choice as well. I hope this guide gets you excited to fully enjoy everything that blueberry season in New Jersey has to offer! Let me know if you have any other questions.
