Blueberry season is defined as the period when fresh, domestically grown berries are actively being harvested and are available in the market. This harvest window is not uniform, changing significantly based on local climate, geographical location, and the specific variety of the berry being cultivated. The combined effort of growers across the continent ensures a prolonged supply of this popular fruit.
The Standard North American Harvest Window
The typical North American blueberry season spans approximately five months, generally running from mid-to-late spring through early fall. The combined national harvest usually begins in March or April and can continue through September or early October. This extended window is possible because of the vast differences in climate across the major blueberry-producing regions. The highest volume of North American blueberries is harvested and shipped between June and August, representing the peak availability for the commercial market.
How Geography Shifts the Seasonal Start and End
The local blueberry season in any single growing region is much shorter, often lasting only six to eight weeks. However, the national season is lengthened by a geographical shift, as the harvest begins earliest in the warmest climates and progressively moves northward as the summer advances.
Southern states, such as Florida and parts of California, experience the earliest starts, with the harvest beginning as early as March and peaking in April or May. These regions utilize low-chill varieties adapted to warmer winters. As temperatures rise, the season transitions to the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest states, which see their peak harvest during June and July.
The latest crops are found in the northernmost regions, including states like Michigan, Maine, and the Pacific Northwest, as well as the major Canadian growing areas. Here, the season typically begins in late July and can extend through September. This geographical staggering ensures a steady, continuous supply of fresh fruit throughout the summer and into the early autumn.
Blueberry Varieties and Their Specific Harvest Times
Beyond geography, the specific type of blueberry planted plays a major role in determining the season length. Growers strategically select varieties with different maturation times to extend their individual farm’s harvest window. The three main categories of cultivated blueberries each have distinct ripening schedules.
The Highbush blueberry, the most common type in North America, is divided into Northern and Southern varieties, which are generally mid-season harvesters. Southern Highbush varieties are often the earliest to ripen, sometimes in April, while the Northern Highbush follows later in the summer. Rabbiteye blueberries, primarily grown in the South, are known for their later season, often ripening from May into July.
Lowbush or Wild blueberries, most common in Northern climates like Maine and Eastern Canada, have the shortest and latest season. They are typically harvested in late summer or early fall, around August and September. By planting a mix of early, mid, and late-season cultivars, a single farm can maintain a continuous local harvest for many weeks, contributing to the overall national availability.
Accessing Blueberries Year-Round
Once the domestic North American season concludes in the fall, fresh blueberries remain available through two primary sources: imports and frozen options. The global supply chain allows consumers to purchase fresh berries even during the North American winter.
Imports primarily come from the Southern Hemisphere, where the seasons are reversed. Countries like Chile and Peru are the largest suppliers, with their peak export season running from roughly October through March. This counter-seasonal cultivation ensures year-round availability of fresh fruit.
For domestic berries, flash-frozen options offer an excellent way to enjoy fruit harvested at its peak. Blueberries are typically frozen shortly after being picked, a process that retains their nutritional value and flavor. When purchasing fresh berries, they should be stored unwashed in their original container in the refrigerator, where they can maintain quality for up to two weeks.