Farmers in general tend to have an independent streak. They work through challenges, solve problems, make tough decisions, and plan how to keep moving forward, all while carrying the burden themselves. But there’s a big difference between independence and isolation, and one doesn’t have to mean the other.
Blueberries don’t all grow the same way. In my fields, varieties such as Sentinel and Arcadia grow to about six‑and‑a‑half feet tall, whereas others like Patrecia and Primadonna remain more modest in height. The story gets even richer when you consider canopy width: Snowchaser and Optimus spread out like a balloon, whereas Sweetcrisp and Keecrisp let their canopies stay tighter and narrower. Seeing this natural variation made me wonder whether the shape and size of a blueberry plant’s canopy could make a difference in how it absorbs light.
ANTHRACNOSE LEAF SPOT, RUST, SEPTORIA, AND TARGET SPOT
As my term as President of the Florida Blueberry Growers Association comes to a close, I am proud to reflect on how far we have come. By the time this issue reaches you, I will officially step into the role of Past President. Looking back over these past two years, our industry has navigated significant operational and economic hurdles, but our shared work has built a stronger, more united association positioned for long-term success.
“The very fact that we’re growing blueberries at all is because of UF/IFAS. If we didn’t have those varieties, we wouldn’t be growing blueberries commercially. The breeding program is really what turned blueberries into an important crop for Florida.”
There are many steps to consider when establishing a new southern highbush blueberry field. The purpose of this publication is to assist Florida blueberry growers with critical management practices for establishing a new field. We assume that any irrigation wells, overhead irrigation, and farm equipment are already in place. Therefore, establishing those items is not addressed here.
‘Blueberry OG’ Jeff Williamson Retiring After Decades of Service to the Industry
FEATURE | for the crop
Grower 411
Bug of the Month
Why the USHBC Matters Now More Than Ever
FEATURE | farm management
Prior to the events of early February, Florida was positioned for a milestone year. Across the state, both evergreen and deciduous crops showed exceptional promise. We were prepared to enter a “hungry” market with high-quality berries and strong volume—momentum that was abruptly challenged by a historic “super-cooling” freeze.
This winter’s freeze event of January 31 – February 2, 2026 caused significant damage across the state to open blooms, developing fruit, and plants, creating opportunities for disease to develop. The applicable diseases include botrytis, anthracnose fruit rot, Phytophthora root rot, and Botryosphaeria stem blight. The first three will be briefly addressed, while the focus will primarily be on stem blight. The below article was initially published days after the freeze events and has been updated with seasonal progress to date.
It is part of our routine. We collect leaves in the middle of the summer and submit them to a laboratory (like the UF/IFAS Analytical Services Laboratory) to find out how our plants are doing. We get a result back: 1.2% N, 1.5% N, 2.0% N. But what does this mean? Like a doctor taking a patient’s temperature, test results are only meaningful when compared to a reference standard. 104°F is a fever. 97°F is normal. Knowing where the bar is set makes all the difference in how we interpret test results.
The freeze event beginning January 31, 2026, was one of the most significant events in many years. Extremely low temperatures and dew points, along with high sustained winds, made freeze protection very difficult in many areas of the state, resulting in significant bloom and fruit damage.
