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AUBURN, JULY 26---Most blueberry growers across the state are wrapping up their harvests for the season. Though growers in north Alabama suffered a late freeze that destroyed most of their crop, most farmers in south and central Alabama enjoyed quality harvests.

Frank Randle, who grows 5 acres of blueberries in Lee County, shut his operation down Saturday. He’s been harvesting berries since mid-May and says he couldn’t have asked for a better season.

He says he has especially appreciated his large crop this year since last year’s berries succumbed to the drought.

"We had an excellent harvest," says Randle. "We had no problems, which was great compared to last year. Everything’s been great this year."

Brewton, one of the state’s blueberry hotspots, also turned in a strong harvest. Heavy rains in early June cost commercial growers a few berries early into the harvest, says Randy Akridge, superintendent of the Brewton/Monroeville Experiment Stations.

"It was still a good crop though," he says. "It was a big crop – much better than last year."

Some counties in central and north Alabama weren’t so lucky.

"We were cleaned out by a late freeze," says Tom Farrow, Clay County Extension coordinator. "Some of the homeowners may have harvested a few blueberries, but the commercial growers don’t really have any."

Most people harvest their blueberries between June and August, depending on the variety of berry they’re growing and the location of the state they’re in, says Farrow.

Dr. David Himelrick, an Extension horticulturist, says most of the state’s commercial growers try to harvest as early as possible. "Prices are better earlier in the season, before North Carolina, New Jersey and Michigan begin selling their blueberries," he says. "They also sell better at U-Picks earlier in the summer before it gets too hot for customers to enjoy picking."

Most of the blueberry acreage in Alabama is small and scattered across the state, says Himelrick. Commercial growers usually sell to local grocery stores or individuals. Many homeowners grow blueberries as well.

"They’re one of the easiest things to grow," he says. "You can even usually grow them without spraying them (with crop protectants), so they’re really good for homeowners."

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