N
Common Ground News

Where are blueberries grown in Michigan?

Author

David Ramirez

Updated on March 19, 2026

Where are blueberries grown in Michigan?

Most of Michigan's commercial blueberry production is located in southwest Michigan where sandy glacial soils and high water tables result in excellent blueberry soils. These soils are moist with soil pHs in the 4.5 to 5.5 range. Over 20 blueberry varieties are grown in Michigan.

Similarly, does Michigan produce the most blueberries?

Michigan is currently the leading blueberry producing state in the United States. Michigan often produces over 100 million pounds of blueberries from almost 21,000 acres during the July through September blueberry harvest season.

One may also ask, do blueberries grow wild in Michigan? There are two kinds of blueberries in Michigan: the lowbush and the highbush. Highbush are what commercial farms grow, while lowbush grow in the wild. Lowbush planted in gardens and fields lose their "wild" flavor. Lowbush blueberries are short, usually only reaching 18 to 24 inches tall.

Also to know is, where do wild blueberries grow in Michigan?

Although southern lower Michigan is famous for its blueberry farms, its wild blueberries rival domestic ones for taste. Wild blueberry bushes inhabit bogs and swampland, especially near the edge of a lake or stream. They range from 2 to 6 feet high and produce a forest of greenish or reddish “zig-zag†twigs.

How many blueberry farms are in Michigan?

Today Michigan has almost 21,000 acres of blueberries on about 600 farms.

Why do blueberries grow so well in Michigan?

In the heat of the summer, Michigan grown fruit is hard to beat. These climate conditions plus sandy and fertile soils give rise to favorable conditions for growing fruit. Blueberry production requires low soil pH, cool temperatures and adequate moisture; Michigan soils and climate support all three conditions.

Are Michigan blueberries good?

One serving contains almost 25% of the daily vitamin C requirements. Blueberries are also a good source of manganese, for bone development, dietary fiber, for heart health, and polyphenols which possess anti-inflammatory properties.

Are blueberry native to Michigan?

There are two types of blueberry plants that grow in Michigan: lowbush blueberry and highbush blueberry. Wild lowbush blueberry is native to Atlantic Canada, Quebec and Maine. Low chill are blueberries that need less cold and grow in southern states.

Where does Michigan rank in blueberry production?

Blueberry Production By US State
RankStatelbs
1Washington96100000
2Georgia92000000
3Michigan92000000
4Oregon86100000

Are blueberries ready to pick in Michigan?

Blueberries are ready to be picked around West Michigan from mid-late July through early August.

What is the blueberry capital of the world?

Hammonton is the self-proclaimed “blueberry capital of the world,†with 56 blueberry farms located in and around the town of about 14,000 people.

Do blackberries grow in Michigan?

A long-living perennial plant with biennial canes, the blackberry falls into two categories: erect and trailing. Select an erect variation of the blackberry that is more cold-hardy and capable of surviving the harsh Michigan winters.

Are there poisonous berries in Michigan?

Deadly Nightshade can be found growing in dumps, quarries, near old buildings, under trees, on hillsand in your own backyard. It's usually a 4-foot tall bush with 7-inch long leaves, bell-shaped purple flowers and green berries that turn black when ripe. When black, the berries are at their most poisonous.

What berries are poisonous in Michigan?

Poisonous Berries
  • American Bittersweet. American bittersweet is a woody vine often used in fall wreaths and dried flower arrangements.
  • Cotoneaster. Cotoneaster is an evergreen shrub that tends to grow upright with long branches rather than as a bush.
  • Holly.
  • Juniper.
  • Pokeweed.
  • Yew.

What fruits are native to Michigan?

  • Peaches. Pears.
  • Plums. Raspberries.
  • Rhubarb. Strawberries.

Are blueberry rakes illegal in Michigan?

Registered. Are blueberry pickers/rakes legal to use in Michigan? Not on state land.

Should you eat wild berries?

Many wild berries are delicious and safe to eat. They're often packed with nutrients and powerful antioxidants that can provide various health benefits, such as boosting immunity, protecting your brain and heart, and reducing cellular damage. However, some wild berries are poisonous and potentially fatal.

Where can I find wild blueberries?

As their name suggests, wild blueberries can be found in abandoned fields, along the side of the road, in forests and on mountains. These hardy plants spread through seeds and the development of rhizomes, or underground stems.

Do elderberries grow in northern Michigan?

Elderberry grows in medium to wet soils and can tolerate clay soils if there is good drainage. This plant tolerates full sun or partial shade, requires soil pH between 5.5 and 6.5, and can grow across much of Michigan being hardy through USDA Zone 4a.

Are there huckleberries in Michigan?

Huckleberries are small bright blue, or dark blue, or black berries which grow wild near marshes in Michigan. They ripen in late July and early August. The berries look like blueberries but are smaller and sweeter.

What blueberries grow best in Michigan?

The most important varieties in Michigan are currently Bluecrop, Jersey, Elliott, Duke, Rubel and Bluejay. Jersey and Rubel have long been the backbone of the Michigan industry, but planting of these varieties has declined over the past several decades.

When can you plant blueberries in Michigan?

Plant bushes in late spring, and space them 3 to 4 feet apart. Blueberries need well-drained, acidic soil, and southwest Michigan has plenty of it. Blueberries prefer full sun and moist but well-drained soil.

Are there any poisonous berries that look like blueberries?

6. Nightshade. These small shiny black berries are one of the most dangerous look-alikes, resembling blueberries to the unobservant. growing wild throughout the U.S. Just a handful of the bitter berries can contain deadly amounts of toxic alkaloids, among other compounds.

Can you eat wild grapes Michigan?

Are Wild Grapes Edible? Yes, wild grapes are edible; however, be warned that eaten right off the vine they may be a bit tangy for some. The grapes taste better after the first frost but are still a bit on the sour side for many palates. They have seeds as well.

Can blueberries grow on trees?

Blueberries grow on bushes, although there is a tree known as a Japanese blueberry tree (Elaeocarpus decipens). The berries on this tree resemble large, olive-shaped blueberries, but you can't eat them. The tree grows up to 40 feet tall. Edible blueberries grow on bushes of various heights, depending on the varieties.

Where do Thimbleberries grow in Michigan?

While the plant is native to the North American West Coast, Michigan's Upper Peninsula is the hub for thimbleberry plant products in the Midwest. It tends to be found in cooler, moist areas throughout North America, as well as other places around the world, including Europe, Japan, and Russia.

Are winter berries poisonous?

While the aforementioned wild animals can eat the berries, winterberry is generally considered toxic to humans (children are especially sensitive to this toxicity, which is unfortunate since children tend to be drawn to the bright red berries like Snow White to the witch's apple).

What is the sweetest type of blueberry?

The sweetest blueberries are ones that come off the Northern or Southern Highbush. These blueberries are from the Eastern coast of the United States. The second sweetest blueberries are the legacy blueberries grown in the Northeast and across the Northern Midwest.

How much do blueberry farms make?

How much can an acre of blueberries make a year? Once your blueberry bushes reach maturity they could produce from 5,000 to 20,000 pounds a year. If they all sold for $4.00 a pound this means that you could make anywhere from $20,000 to $80,000 an acre a year once they reach maturity.

Where are peaches grown in Michigan?

Most Michigan peaches are grown in the west central to southwest corner, close to Lake Michigan. Peaches are also grown in the east along Lake St. Clair and in the northwest Grand Rapids area. The Red Haven Peach, popular throughout the U.S., was introduced in 1940 in South Haven, Michigan.

Related Documentation

Did Thanos mom try to kill him?

What happens if distilled water gets in your bloodstream?

How much is a single Munchkin?

Where are blueberries grown in Michigan?