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Bluecrop Blueberry

Vaccinium corymbosum 'Bluecrop'

The gold standard of highbush blueberries and America's most widely planted variety for good reason. This mid-season producer yields large, flavorful berries with excellent storage quality and consistent annual crops. Bluecrop's exceptional cold hardiness, disease resistance, and reliable performance make it the perfect choice for beginner blueberry growers.

Sun

White-Tailed Deer

☀️

Zones

3–8

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

6-12 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Harvest

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Bluecrop Blueberry in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 berry →

Zone Map

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Bluecrop Blueberry · Zones 3–8

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy to moderate

Spacing4-6 feet apart

SoilAcidic, well-drained, organic-rich soil

pH4.5-5.5

WaterHigh — consistent moisture needed

SeasonSpring and Summer

FlavorSweet with mild tartness, classic blueberry flavor

ColorMedium blue with light bloom

SizeLarge, 0.6-0.7 inches diameter

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	June – August	—	June – September
Zone 4	—	June – July	—	June – September
Zone 5	—	May – July	—	June – October
Zone 6	—	May – July	—	June – October
Zone 7	—	May – June	—	June – October
Zone 8	—	April – June	—	June – November

Complete Growing Guide

Light: White-Tailed Deer. Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 6-feet-12 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Blue to purple small round fruits that show up in August, ripening from a green to pink color to full ripeness. Females cannot produce fruit on their own. Fruit is edible.

Color: Blue, Green, Pink, Purple/Lavender. Type: Berry. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Garden value: Edible

Harvest time: Summer

Bloom time: Spring

Edibility: The berries are edible and have been used raw, sun-dried. smoke-dried, and baked. They have high iron content.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Bluecrop berries store exceptionally well compared to other varieties. Keep unwashed berries refrigerated in their original container or shallow bowls at 32-36°F for up to 2 weeks. Don't wash until ready to eat, as moisture accelerates spoilage. At room temperature, they'll maintain quality for 2-3 days.

For freezing, spread unwashed berries on cookie sheets until solid, then transfer to freezer bags—this prevents clumping and maintains individual berry integrity. Bluecrop's firm texture makes it excellent for baking straight from frozen. The berries maintain their shape and don't release excessive juice.

Dehydrate Bluecrop berries at 135°F for 12-18 hours for chewy, raisin-like treats that store for months in airtight containers. Their balanced sweet-tart flavor intensifies beautifully when dried. For jams and preserves, Bluecrop's natural pectin content creates excellent gel without added thickeners, and the berries hold their shape well in whole-berry preserves.

History & Origin

Origin: Eastern North America

Advantages

+Disease resistance: Compaction, Fire, Wet Soil
+Attracts: Edible fruit, Wildlife Food Source
+Edible: The berries are edible and have been used raw, sun-dried. smoke-dried, and baked. They have high iron content.

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Azalea

Both thrive in acidic soil conditions and have similar water requirements

Rhododendron

Prefers same acidic soil pH and provides beneficial shade during hot summers

Pine Trees

Pine needles naturally acidify soil and provide wind protection

Strawberries

Ground cover that helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds

Cranberries

Share similar acidic soil requirements and growing conditions

Heather

Thrives in acidic conditions and attracts beneficial pollinators

Ferns

Tolerates acidic soil and provides natural mulch when fronds decompose

Thyme

Repels harmful insects while attracting beneficial pollinators

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits blueberry growth and development

Tomatoes

Require alkaline soil conditions opposite to blueberry's acidic needs

Brassicas

Prefer neutral to alkaline soil pH which conflicts with blueberry requirements

Nutrition Facts

Protein

0.703g(1%)

Carbs

14.6g(5%)

Fat

0.306g(0%)

Vitamin C

8.06mg(9%)

Iron

0.34mg(2%)

Calcium

11.7mg(1%)

Potassium

85.6mg(2%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346411)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to stem canker and mummy berry

Common Pests

Blueberry maggot, aphids, scale insects, birds

Diseases

Mummy berry, stem canker, root rot in poorly drained soils

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for Bluecrop blueberry bushes to produce fruit?▼

Bluecrop blueberry bushes typically begin producing small crops in their second year, but significant harvests don't occur until year 3-4. Remove flower buds the first year to establish strong roots. By year 5-6, a mature bush can yield 5-10 pounds annually. Peak production occurs between years 8-15, with proper care extending productive life to 50+ years.

Can you grow Bluecrop blueberries in containers?▼

Yes, Bluecrop grows excellently in containers using 20+ gallon pots with drainage holes. Use acidic potting mix combined with peat moss, never garden soil. Container plants require more frequent watering and winter protection in zones 3-6. Move containers to unheated garages when temperatures drop below 10°F, and fertilize monthly during growing season with acid-forming fertilizer.

What does Bluecrop blueberry taste like compared to other varieties?▼

Bluecrop offers the classic blueberry flavor profile—sweet with mild tartness and rich, complex undertones. It's less tart than Northland and less intensely sweet than Duke. The berries have firm texture and balanced acidity that makes them excellent for both fresh eating and cooking. Many consider Bluecrop the 'standard' blueberry flavor that others are compared against.

When should I plant Bluecrop blueberry bushes?▼

Plant Bluecrop bushes in early spring after the last hard frost but while plants are still dormant—typically March to early May depending on your zone. Fall planting works in zones 6-8, giving roots time to establish before winter. Avoid planting during active growth periods or extreme weather. Container-grown plants can be planted throughout the growing season with extra attention to watering.

Is Bluecrop blueberry good for beginner gardeners?▼

Bluecrop is excellent for beginners due to its forgiving nature, disease resistance, and consistent production. It tolerates occasional watering mistakes better than most varieties and doesn't require complex pruning techniques. The main requirement is acidic soil, but once established, Bluecrop bushes are remarkably low-maintenance. Success rates are high even for first-time berry growers.

How much space do Bluecrop blueberry bushes need?▼

Space Bluecrop bushes 4-6 feet apart in rows, with 8-10 feet between rows for easy harvesting and air circulation. Mature bushes reach 4-6 feet tall and wide. Closer spacing increases yields per square foot initially but requires more aggressive pruning and increases disease risk. In small gardens, 4-foot spacing works with annual thinning of interior branches.