If you didn’t already know, July is National Blueberry Month—the time when this delectable berry grows abundantly in New Jersey. Whether you prefer them by the handful, baked into muffins, or made into jam, now is the time to enjoy them fresh off the bush!
The “highbush” is the most common type of blueberry grown in the state, and it prefers a sunny spot with acidic soil with good drainage. It can take up to three years for the plant to produce berries but will continue to produce for the next 40-50 years. That’s a lot of blueberry pies!
A handful of sweet, juicy blueberries is literally a handful of health—full of vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants. One cup contains 25% of the daily requirements of vitamin C and almost 4 grams of fiber…so go ahead and indulge! Just rinse your berries in a berry bowl that allows the water to drain off and pop them straight into your mouth
When you can’t get enough of the summer fruit, save some for winter. Blueberries freeze in four minutes flat! The best way to freeze them is in the original container. Don’t rinse them ahead of time – just place the container into a ziplock bag and freeze for up to ten months.
Do you have questions about blueberry plants? Bring them to Sundays with Patti – conversations in the garden about all things garden from 1:00 – 2:00..
