Blueberries and related Vaccinium species thrive across Alaska’s diverse landscapes, making them a significant natural resource. The state’s vast wilderness, from coastal forests to high alpine tundra, provides the necessary conditions for these plants to flourish. These wild berries are a major source of sustenance for both wildlife and people, and they are deeply integrated into the region’s cultural heritage. The late summer season sees a widespread tradition of foraging across the state. While most blueberries consumed are wild, the unique climate also presents specific challenges and opportunities for controlled cultivation.
Native Alaskan Blueberry Varieties
The term “blueberry” in Alaska refers to several native species, distinct from the cultivated highbush varieties common in other regions. The bog blueberry, Vaccinium uliginosum, is the most widespread, found across the circumpolar north in subalpine heath, bogs, and open woods. This low-growing shrub produces a dark blue, round berry, often covered with a fine waxy coating, and is favored for its intense flavor.
Other native species include the Alaska blueberry, Vaccinium alaskaense, and the early blueberry, Vaccinium ovalifolium. The Alaska blueberry is a taller shrub, sometimes reaching six feet, and is often a dominant plant in coastal forests and alpine valleys. The early blueberry is known for its ability to grow in northerly regions and produces dark blue to black berries. These native varieties are characterized by their hardiness and ability to thrive in the acidic, nutrient-poor soils common throughout the state.
The Tradition of Wild Foraging
Wild berry foraging is a long-standing tradition for many Alaskan residents, serving as a cultural tie and a seasonal source of food. The primary picking season typically begins in late July, with the prime harvest occurring throughout August and extending until the first hard frosts of September. This narrow window means foragers must be prepared to gather large quantities quickly.
Common foraging locations range from open tundra and muskegs to trailsides in state parks like Chugach and Denali. Foragers often return to favored spots passed down through generations, which can become productive after a wildfire, as blueberries thrive in post-burn environments. The gathered berries are used to make jams, pies, and akutaq, a traditional Alaska Native dish of whipped fat and berries.
Safety is a primary consideration during the harvest, as berry patches are also feeding grounds for wildlife. Foragers must practice “bear awareness” by making noise, such as talking or singing, to avoid surprising bears, who also rely on the berries for their seasonal diet. Pickers must be able to distinguish edible berries from poisonous look-alikes, like the baneberry, and should obtain permission before harvesting on private or Native Claims Settlement Act lands.
Cultivating Blueberries in Alaskan Climates
While wild harvesting is common, cultivating blueberries in Alaska presents distinct challenges due to the climate and soil conditions. Most domestic highbush varieties, Vaccinium corymbosum, struggle to survive the extreme cold. However, specialized half-high cultivars and lowbush hybrids have been developed for cold regions, proving successful in areas like Southcentral Alaska.
These controlled plantings require highly acidic soil, ideally with a pH between 4.0 and 5.0, a condition often met by incorporating peat moss into the planting medium. The short growing season necessitates selecting cultivars that ripen quickly, such as ‘Northblue’ and ‘Northsky’, which have shown promising yields in trials on the Kenai Peninsula.
Winterizing is also a factor. Low-growing varieties are often protected by a blanket of snow, which insulates them from the most severe freezing temperatures. For commercial efforts, techniques like selective brush clearing, improved pollination with bees, and dormant-season pruning are used to boost production.