17th February 2010
Mom bought me a present of a pair of "Darrow" blueberry plants as a present the other day. "Darrow" are firm, light-blue, very large sized blueberries, up to 1 1/2 inches (3 1/2 cm) across. They have a large scar, but are resistant to cracking, making them good for the fresh market. The plant is not overly cold hardy, and delivers a late harvest, but will provide 4 or 5 pickings in a season. It is a vigorous, attractive bush which offers white, pink-kissed flowers in spring, late-season fruit and vibrant scarlet leaves in autumn. "Darrow" blueberries also can't be machine harvested so they are not generally grown commercially. "Darrow" blueberries were named after George M. Darrow, who worked for the USDA. Developed in: New Jersey, United States in 1965.

I am also salvaging 5-10 blueberries from a farm which is going under and that variety is "EarliBlue", which was also developed in: New Jersey, United States in 1943. Earliest in the season. Excellent upright bush, moderately vigorous and easy to grow. Fruit is medium large, light blue, good quality and flavor. "Earliblue" continues to be very popular for a fresh market and U-Pick variety as it produces the first quality berries on the market. Closer spacings are popular with this and most other early varieties to increase production.

There are also two other unidentified blueberry plants here on the property. Ideally you need five different varieties for the best pollinization. So I should end up with 9-14 blueberry plants to keep me in juice, blueberries for smoothies and tarts all winter.