Wild Blueberry Newsletter May 2024

Wild Blueberry Newsletter header graphic, text and a photo of blueberries and leaves

May 2024

Plant Development and GDD Update

Bees have arrived in fields and the majority of stems are between T3 and T4. There are some T5 buds in Warren, Orland, and Sedgewick. From 2021 to 2023 the average GDD for the peak of current bud stages was as follows: T3 282 GDD, T4 350 GDD, T5 384 GDD, Bloom 559 GDD. This week, according to our data, the average GDDs accumulated is 203. It has been chilly, or at least a slow accumulation of heat. Hopefully, we do not have freezing temperatures over the next few weeks. See Wild Blueberry Phenology Tracker.

Equipment for Sale

Nash Farms is selling the following equipment! Thank you to Cary and Linda for being such active and engaging wild blueberry farmers for many years.

Contact: Linda Nash for pictures etc.
207.272.8090
nashfarmsinc@gmail.com

Hardi Boom Sprayer – Hardi NL210 sprayer with 26′ manual fold boom, 210-gallon tank, Model 600 diaphragm pump, 2-section manual controls.  Single nozzles, 20″nozzle spacing.  Salvarani foam marker included.  Category II 3-pt hitch 540 RPM PTO.  Cleaned for organic use, like new. $4,000

Hanson Boom Sprayer – Hanson 3-pt sprayer with manual fold booms, 200gal tank, 25′ boom width, electronic 3-section boom control.  Single nozzles, 20″ nozzle spacing.  Category II 3-pt hitch 540 RPM PTO.  Works great.  $1000

Sitrex S-900 Fertilizer Spreader – 3-pt hitch fertilizer spreader, 900-liter capacity tank.  Category II 3-pt hitch 540 RPM PTO.  $1000

Steel Water Tank and Pump – 160-gal steel water tank and PTO pump, 3-point hitch mounted, 36” diameter x 36” long, Cat. II. Had been used for fire control. $500

Blueberry Burners – Two oil burners. $1800 for both or the best offer

Flail Mower – Bragg 3-gang flail mower, 1000 rpm PTO.  Runs great.  $17,800

Blueberry Rakes – Aluminum wild blueberry rakes.  Single-handle rakes are 60-tooth, 70-tooth and 80-tooth.  Double handle rakes are 80-tooth. Single-handle rakes – $25 each, buy 4 get 1 free. Double handle rakes – $35 each, buy 4 get 1 free.

Wild Blueberry Health Research at UMaine

Dr. Dorothy Klimis-Zacas, UMaine Professor of Clinical Nutrition, has been recognized nationally for her research on the health benefits of wild blueberries. Here is the article.

Wild Blueberry Heritage Center Announcement

The Wild Blueberry Heritage Center is seeking nominations for the 2024 Wild Blueberry Hall of Honor. The Hall of Honor awards outstanding individuals who have contributed to the success and sustainability of the wild blueberry industry in Maine. Honorees will be inducted into the Wild Blueberry Hall of Honor at the Blueberry Hill Farm Field Day on June 27, and showcased in a public exhibit at the Wild Blueberry Heritage Center in Columbia Falls. Please fill out the nomination form by May 31st.

Join the Wild Blueberry Heritage Center newsletter to learn more about events, programs, and local stories at wildblueberryheritagecenter.org.

Sincerely,

Lily