Maine has 44,000 acres of wild blueberries growing naturally in fields and barrens that stretch along the Downeast coast to the state’s southwest corner. Adapted to Maine’s naturally acid, low fertility soils and challenging winters, they are a low input crop requiring minimal management.

The berries are grown on a two-year cycle each year, half of a grower’s land is managed to encourage vegetative growth and the other half is prepared for a wild blueberry harvest in August. After the harvest, the plants are pruned to the ground y mowing or burning. Wild blueberries go back centuries to Maine’s Native Americans. They were the first to use the tiny blue berries, both fresh and dried, for their flavor, nutrition and healing qualities. It was not until the 1840s that wild blueberries were first harvested commercially.

Because these berries are indigenous to Maine, they are naturally resistant to many native pests. Still, there are times when environmental stressors such as disease, drought, insect pest damage and winter injury can ruin much of the fruit and it is a grower’s challenge to minimize such crop damage

In 2007, direct and indirect economic impact of the wild blueberry industry in Maine totaled $250 million, so they make a major contribution to Maine’s economy. Thanks to new research on the healthful benefits of blueberries, there is a growing demand for both fresh and processed in the U.S.A. and abroad.

As a symbol of Maine’s agricultural heritage, one that respects and values the environment, growers consider the future well-being of the land in their management practices, allowing neighbors and visitors to continue to enjoy some of Maine’s most scenic vistas and precious wildlife habitats. July is national blueberry month because that is the peak of the harvest season so let’s enjoy them while we may.

Other interesting facts:

• Native Americans called them “star berries” because the five points of the blueberry blossoms resembles a star.

• Early colonists made gray paint by boiling the berries in milk.

• During the Civil War, blueberries were collected and sent to Union troops for use as a food staple.

• These berries are one of the only natural foods that are truly blue in color.

• Maine is the blueberry production capital of North America and produces almost 100 percent of all berries harvested in the country.