Conditions improve for blueberries, blackberries and other fruits

Blueberries, blackberries and other fruits grown in Texas bounced back from heat and drought last season, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.

Tim Hartmann, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension specialist and assistant professor in the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences, Bryan-College Station, said a freeze in late March took out much of the crop from early blooming southern high bush blueberry varieties. Southern high bush varieties are considered by some to have better flavor and texture, but rabbiteye blueberries are generally better adapted and more dependable.

Later-blooming southern high bush and most rabbiteye varieties appear to have escaped major crop damage from the freeze, he said.

“I know Nacogdoches froze and further south didn’t get that hard freeze, but many early producers got frozen out,” he said. “Most later-blooming varieties should be OK. Last year, we dealt with heat and drought, and despite the freeze, this season has the potential to hopefully be better for some producers.”

Wetter weather in the eastern half of the state has caused some concern regarding fungal diseases that can impact berries this season and plants going into next season, Hartmann said.

Producers find success with blueberries

There are about 700 acres of commercial blueberries grown, mainly in the eastern part of the state, Hartmann said. Acres in Texas can yield 15 pounds per plant or up to 8,000 to 10,000 pounds an acre.

Many producers sell directly to consumers from their farms or at local farmers’ markets, but operations with larger capacity also sell wholesale berries to grocers, he said.The biggest expense for berry producers is labor, Hartmann said. Some smaller operations bypass harvest labor costs by providing “pickyourberries directly to consumers.