In Michigan, the early summer harvest timeline for greenhouse blueberry production is seeing adjustments due to cooler spring weather patterns. Growers are reporting that the delayed onset of warmer temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns have impacted their schedule. While there was an absence of frost during the extended pollination period, the overall harvest initiation is approximately three to five days later than usual. According to Chad Reenders, president of the Michigan Blueberry Advisory Committee, while the spring conditions seemed favorable, "Pollination was over four weeks long," which affects subsequent stages.
Nick Billings, who operates Bulldog Berries, remarked on the harvest delay, "Every season it seems you know with a little bit of give or take on the day we actually start, I bet, like compared to last year with the blueberries. We're gonna be three to five days behind, so it really doesn't make that much of an impact at the end of the day."
The geographic distribution of farms across regions, such as those "down in the Grand Rapids, West of Grand Rapids area," faces a drought challenge. Inconsistent rain meant farms irrigated less compared to previous years. Reenders explained, "We haven't really had a lot of rainfall in the last four or six weeks," leading to irregularity in water management strategies.
Despite the climate challenges, Bulldog Berries is on track to open shortly. Billings shared plans, "We're gonna open our first day of the year tomorrow for the saskatoons and the red raspberries." The follow-up harvests will include other berry varieties in the sequence.
Source: Michigan Now
