Wild Blueberry Blog

A wild blueberry field landscape with a close up of a stem with ripening and ripe fruit.

Research for a Changing Industry: Learn About the Challenges Growers Face in a New “Offrange” Article

Black and Blue in the Barrens By Ben Seal, August 17, 2025 (Offrange) In a recent “Offrange” article, author Ben Seals details the mounting economic stressors facing Maine’s wild blueberry growers, from droughts and late frosts impacting yield to market competition from high-bush blueberry competition. University of Maine Extension’s Wild Blueberry Specialist, Dr. Lily Calderwood, weighs […]

Read more

An illustration of a microphone on a hay bale in front farm animals. A banner that reads "Maine Farmcast" covers the bottom of the image.

Dr. Lily Calderwood Featured on “Maine Farmcast”

Dr. Lily Calderwood, Wild Blueberry Specialist and Associate Professor of Horticulture with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, was recently featured on the podcast “Maine Farmcast”. In this episode, she joins Dr. Glenda Pereira to discuss the history of wild blueberry management in Maine, shares updates on current research from her lab, and offers practical […]

Read more

Wild Blueberry Newsletter, June 2025

Wild Blueberry Newsletter June 2025 Hello Everyone, Phenology Update This week is peak green fruit, and as long as we continue getting some rain, they should ripen and fill out nicely. Below you will see this week’s phenology table, which is also available online. Date Visited Locations Pin Head Green Fruit Color Change Fruit Blue Fruit […]

Read more

Safe and Effective Wild Blueberry Burning Explained

Burning wild blueberry fields is a traditional practice with deep Indigenous roots and remains a vital tool for organic pest and disease management. Our new fact sheet explains the benefits and risks of burning versus mowing, provides step-by-step guidance on how to safely burn using oil or straw, and outlines important legal requirements and best […]

Read more

Master Boom Sprayer Calibration Using Our New Fact Sheet

Curious how to ensure your boom sprayer is applying the right amount of pesticide every time? Read our new fact sheet on boom sprayer calibration. UMaine Extension Wild Blueberry Specialist Dr. Lily Calderwood and Research Technician Jordan Parks provide a clear, step-by-step guide to calibrating your sprayer using the 1/128th method, ensuring effective pest control, […]

Read more

Wild Blueberry Newsletter, Early March 2025

Wild Blueberry Newsletter Early March 2025 Phenology Report Jordan Parks visited our four overwintering weather stations and reports back that as of February 26th sites from Warren to Whiting were covered in snow. Snow cover insulates this year’s buds protecting them from harsh winter winds. NOAA Climate Outlook The April, May and June weather outlook provided […]

Read more

Wild Blueberry Newsletter, Late March 2025

Wild Blueberry Newsletter Late March 2025 Wild Blueberry Growers, Processors, and Stakeholders, I’m pleased to share that the 2024 and 2025 UMaine Wild Blueberry Conference Recordings are now available! The Board of Pesticide Control approved an extension to our Special Local Need herbicide label of Express until 2030. Spring is certainly around the corner even if it is still […]

Read more

Wild Blueberry Newsletter, April 2025

Wild Blueberry Newsletter April 2025 Have you calibrated your sprayer? Come join us for a refresher or to learn how to calibrate a sprayer for the first time on Thursday, April 17th in Appleton! Date: Thursday, April 17, 2025Time: 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.Location: Appleton Station (Nash Farms), 1193 Peabody Road, Appleton, Maine 04862Cost: FreePesticide Credits: 1 Season Update: We are visiting […]

Read more