Bluecrop High-bush Mid-season Blueberry

Vaccinium corymbosum 'Bluecrop'

Bluecrop is considered one of the "gold standards" of blueberry varieties. It not only is a leading commercial variety, but it is one of the best varieties for the home garden too. It ripens in the main season in Michigan, starting in mid-July through mid-August. It has large, firm, bright blue berries that are great for fresh eating, preserves, baking and freezing. It is a prodigious producer with 12-20 pounds of fruit per bush when mature. It ripens over a month long period and maintains good size. It is hardy and frost resistant. It does not produce spectacular fall foliage like other varieties, but more than makes up for it with its huge crops of quality fruit.

Pricing

Bluecrop Blueberry, Large 18-24" plants    -    $11.99

Height 4-6 Feet

Spread 4-6 Feet

USDA Hardiness Zone 4-7

Homeowner Growing and Maintenance Tips Almost all blueberries are self-fertile, but experience has shown that you may get larger crops of bigger berries if cross-pollinated with other varieties. Make sure you have adequate cultured or wild bees for pollination. Blueberries do best on soils with high organic matter, adequate moisture all through the summer, and a pH in the range of 4.5 to 5.0. For once Grandpa recommends amending your soils with lots of well decomposed organic materials like weathered sawdust, wood chips, bark, or good peat additives. Make sure you try to bring the pH into the optimum range before planting. Most blueberries will tolerate soil with higher, but not flooded, water tables. If you are growing in a more "upland" site, with sandy soils, make sure to irrigate regularly to maintain a moist, but not soaked soil condition through the season. Prune bushes when dormant to open them up to better sunlight penetration when they grow up and get too thick. See Grandpa's Growing Tips for more on blueberry culture.

A Little History Bluecrop is another variety introduced from New Jersey. Since it was introduced in 1952., it has become one of the most widely planted varieties.

Characteristics & Attributes

Bloom Character • Late blooming • Self-fertile	Fruit Characteristics • Large fruit	Growth Rate/Habit • Average vigor • Very productive	Harvest Period • Early summer • Extended harvest • Mid-season
Other Attributes • Aromatic • Complex flavor	Site Requirements • Winter hardy • Full Sun • Frost Resistant	Skill Required • Easy to grow	Uses • High dessert quality • Cooking or baking • Good for drying • Good for pies • Canning or freezing