US: Maine expecting bumper blueberry harvest
A hard spring frost is expected to reduce Maine's apple crop this year, but that's not the case for Maine's blueberry harvest.
University of Maine blueberry specialist David Yarborough says Maine blueberries have benefited from weather conditions that have produced plump fruit and an above-average crop. "Mild winter, good pollination, good moisture conditions this year set us up for a good crop," he says.
Yarborough says the blueberry harvest is expected to be up from last year's, and weigh in at nearly 95 million pounds. He says the harvest is fairly uniform along the coast and is expected to continue through Labor Day.
Meanwhile, Maine's apple harvest is likely to be only about 70 percent of what's normal. UMaine fruit tree specialist Renae Moran says early varieties, such as early Macs and Paula Reds, are already being harvested and may soon be picked out. She says later-ripening Macs will be ready in another week or so.
Later-blooming varieties, such as honey crisps and golden delicious, weren't hurt as much by the spring frost, Moran says.
Source: www.mpbn.net