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The Ultimate 2025 Guide: 7 Must-Know Facts About New Jersey's Bumper Blueberry Season

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The New Jersey blueberry season for 2025 is officially poised for a stellar year, with growers forecasting a robust and high-quality crop. As of today, December 26, 2025, the outlook remains incredibly optimistic for the summer harvest, which typically kicks off in mid-June and extends through August, making the Garden State a premier destination for the plumpest, juiciest berries in North America. This year’s crop is expected to be a bumper harvest, with consistent volume and superb quality across the main varieties, ensuring plentiful supplies for both commercial markets and the popular pick-your-own (PYO) farms across the state.

The state’s reputation as a powerhouse in blueberry cultivation is well-earned, with New Jersey ranking second in the nation for blueberry production, utilizing between 7,200 and 8,000 acres for this signature crop. The heart of this industry lies in South Jersey, particularly in the Pine Barrens region and the town of Hammonton, which proudly holds the title of the "Blueberry Capital of the World." Whether you are a local resident or planning a summer road trip, navigating the season’s peak windows and knowing the best farms is essential for an unforgettable berry-picking experience.

New Jersey Blueberry Season: Key Facts and 2025 Forecast

While we can't provide a biography for a fruit season, the New Jersey blueberry industry has a rich and detailed profile of its own. Here is a list of essential facts and entities that define the state’s famous crop, providing a foundation for its topical authority:

  • State Fruit: The Highbush Blueberry (*Vaccinium corymbosum*) is New Jersey’s official state fruit, a designation it received in 2003.
  • Geographic Hub: Hammonton, located in Atlantic County, is globally recognized as the "Blueberry Capital of the World."
  • Research Center: The Philip E. Marucci Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research at Rutgers University is a leading institution dedicated to improving blueberry cultivation and varieties.
  • Start Date (Typical): The harvest generally begins around June 20th.
  • Peak Season: The most active and plentiful picking occurs from early July through mid-August.
  • 2025 Crop Outlook: Growers are optimistic, expecting a "good size crop" with "superb quality," potentially starting slightly early.
  • Major Varieties: The three standard commercial varieties for New Jersey growers are 'Duke' (early), 'Bluecrop' (mid-season), and 'Elliott' (late-season).
  • Historic Variety: The 'Jersey' variety is one of the oldest and most widely grown, known for its sweet fruit and reliability.
  • Major Event: The annual Red, White and Blueberry Festival in Hammonton celebrates the peak of the season.

The 2025 forecast is particularly exciting. Industry experts, including those from Sonny Boy Produce, have indicated that the crop is well underway and transitioning smoothly between the early and mid-season varieties. This suggests a consistent flow of berries throughout the summer, avoiding the gaps in supply that can sometimes occur. The expectation of a robust, plump, and juicy crop is great news for consumers looking for fresh, local produce.

Decoding the New Jersey Blueberry Harvest Schedule

The longevity of New Jersey’s blueberry season—spanning from mid-June to late August—is due to the careful cultivation of different varieties that ripen sequentially. Knowing this schedule is key to planning your pick-your-own trip for maximum freshness.

The Sequential Stages of the Harvest

The growing season stretches across three distinct phases, ensuring a steady supply for over two months.

  • Early Season (Mid- to Late-June): This phase marks the start of the season. The primary variety available is the 'Duke' blueberry. The 'Duke' is an early-ripening, high-yielding berry known for its firm texture and slightly tart flavor that sweetens after refrigeration. Some PYO farms may open as early as June 21st, depending on the weather.
  • Mid-Season (July - Early August): This is the peak window for the New Jersey blueberry season. The most dominant variety during this time is the 'Bluecrop'. The 'Bluecrop' is a mid-season standard, beloved for its large size, light blue color, and excellent shelf life. This period offers the most abundant picking opportunities.
  • Late Season (Mid-August - Early September): The season closes out with the later-ripening varieties, primarily the 'Elliott' and the historic 'Jersey' blueberry. The 'Elliott' is known for extending the season, while the 'Jersey' variety offers a notably sweet, old-fashioned flavor. Picking during this time is ideal for those who prefer the sweetest, final berries of the summer.

For the freshest experience, always check the specific farm’s website, as microclimates and specific varieties can shift harvest dates slightly. Farms like Von Thun's Country Farm Market and Emery's Farm often update their picking schedules weekly.

Pick-Your-Own (PYO) Farms: The Best of the Pine Barrens and Beyond

The experience of picking your own blueberries in New Jersey is a cherished summer tradition, particularly across the sandy, acidic soil of the Pine Barrens, which is perfectly suited for the Highbush Blueberry.

Top PYO Destinations for 2025

Dozens of farms open their gates for U-Pick season, but a few stand out for their quality, history, and overall experience. These farms represent the best of New Jersey’s agricultural heritage:

  • DiMeo Farms (Hammonton): Known for offering organic, Non-GMO, and heirloom blueberries, this farm in the Pine Barrens is often cited as having one of the most beautiful pick-your-own settings in the state.
  • Blueberry Bill Farms (Hammonton): A family-run operation with over 55 years of history, this farm is a pillar of the "Blueberry Capital of the World," offering both PYO and fresh-picked berries.
  • Emery's U-Pick Blueberry Farm (New Egypt): This farm offers a full country experience, complete with a Country Bakery for homemade goods and farm animals alongside the U-Pick fields.
  • Wells' Blueberry Farm (Southampton): A dedicated family-owned operation focusing on the pick-your-own tradition in Southampton, NJ.
  • Haines Berry Farm: This farm has already announced its 2025 season will run from Saturday, June 21st to Sunday, July 13th, making it one of the earliest confirmed destinations for the year.
  • Terhune Orchards (Princeton): While known for a variety of crops, Terhune Orchards offers blueberry picking that is popular with families in Central Jersey.

When planning your visit, remember that the best picking is typically in the early morning before the summer heat sets in. Many farms operate on a cash-only or check basis, so it's always wise to check their specific payment methods and hours before arrival.

The Red, White and Blueberry Festival 2025

No discussion of the New Jersey blueberry season is complete without mentioning its signature event: the annual Red, White and Blueberry Festival in Hammonton, NJ. This event celebrates the town's status as the "Blueberry Capital of the World" and the peak of the harvest.

The 2025 festival date is confirmed for Sunday, June 29, 2025. Held at Hammonton High School, the festival typically runs from 9 AM to 4 PM and features a car show, fair food, crafters, kiddie rides, and, of course, every blueberry-infused treat imaginable, from pies and muffins to fresh-picked baskets. It's an essential entity for anyone looking to fully immerse themselves in the New Jersey blueberry culture and a perfect way to kick off the Fourth of July week with a taste of the state's sweetest crop.

The combination of an optimistic 2025 crop forecast, a reliable harvest schedule based on sequential varieties like 'Duke' and 'Bluecrop', and the festive atmosphere of the Hammonton celebration means that this summer is shaping up to be an ideal time for fruit lovers. Plan your routes, prepare your recipes, and get ready to enjoy the abundance of the New Jersey Highbush Blueberry.

The Ultimate 2025 Guide: 7 Must-Know Facts About New Jersey's Bumper Blueberry Season
blueberry season new jersey
blueberry season new jersey

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