FAQs

Where can I pick wild blueberries in Nova Scotia ?

Try looking at the list at http://www.gov.ns.ca/agri/marketing/contact/landsea/upicko.pdf for a whole list of pick-your-own operations in Nova Scotia.             

Where can I pick wild blueberries in Maine ?

Try looking at the list at http://www.getrealmaine.com/ for a whole list of pick your own operations in Maine.

Can blueberry fields be created by planting seedlings?

Lowbush blueberry plants are available for purchase from several sources. Please refer to http://umaine.edu/blueberries/factsheets/

These plants are usually quite young and small in size. Due to the growing and spreading habit of lowbush blueberries, it can take several years before these plants begin to fill in. Generally wild blueberry fields are developed from existing stands growing on abandoned farmland. These plants have already established an underground rhizome and root system that spreads fairly quickly once management begins. Mulching with a materal such as sawdust will assist the process.

Hand Rakes: Where can I buy one?

Hand rakes for lowbush blueberry harvesting are available from:

Liberty Enterprises Ltd.
RR#3, Amherst Nova Scotia B4H 3Y1
Phone: (902) 667- 5002

Acadian Machine Works Ltd.
Tidnish PEI C0B 2B0
Phone: (902) 882-2349

Maine Blueberry Equipment
Tibbitts Town Rd. Box2
Columbia Falls, ME 04623
Phone: (207) 483-4156

Recipes: Do you have a recipe for...?

Our experts do not publish or republish recipes, however, the Wild Blueberry Network Information Centre does have a Recipe links page.

What is the difference between wild and cultivated blueberries, highbush and lowbush blueberries?

The term wild and lowbush basically refer to the same plant. Traditionally the term lowbush was used by extension, researchers and educators. Wild was used by the trade and marketing sectors. Now, the term wild is being accepted and used by all sectors of the North American industry. These plants naturally occur in Eastern Canada and Maine, and are managed on a commercial basis.

Some lowbush blueberries are planted for production and therefore the word wild would not be used.

Cultivated blueberries and highbush refer to the same plant. These are a larger growing shrub than lowbush and produce a larger fruit. Cultivated bushes are planted in rows. Most of this fruit is sold fresh compared to wild blueberries which are mostly processed and sold frozen.

These two products compete together on the wild market.        

Why prune lowbush blueberries?

Chris Prouse, Co-ordinator - Agriculture Resources Team
Prince Edward Island Agriculture & Forestry

The main reason lowbush blueberries are pruned is to increase yields and possibly stimulate runner growth. Blueberries do not produce flowers on the first years growth. On second year growth the maximum number of flowers are produced. On older growth (third, forth year etc.) there will still be flowers produced but in general the number of flowers will be less.

In addition to maximizing yields,weed control is more effective if you prune the blueberries. In fact, some of the herbicides can only be used after the plants have pruned.