Where are the berries

It's April 13 and our season has finally started. I know there were some Primadonna picked in Polk, Hardee, and Desoto counties last week. This week we continue with the Primadonna and add a few Emeralds, Southern Belles, and Spring High and Wide. Things are verrrrrrrrrrry slow. Some early varieties are starting at Brooksville and Ocala farms. The days have now warmed up but the nights remain on the cool side.

Some of the forecasts I have heard regarding our crop are ridiculous. We will probably harvest more fruit than ever but some marketers are forecasting outrageous numbers. Let's keep in mind Florida probably produced 20 plus million pounds last year. We only brought 14 million to market because of the economics. If the economics get bad quickly we may see a smaller crop this year.

Remember this when you talk to your marketer. Give them your best estimate of how much fruit you think you will harvest and more importantly when you will harvest it. All it takes is one marketer worried about a glut of fruit to really screw up the Florida deal. Be realistic not optimistic.

Let's face it we all looked at those leafless bushes in March and thought we had a tremendous crop. Now the leaves are on so where did all of that fruit go. Yes we had great chill this year but poor pollination and more botrytis than usual are taking their toll. The waxwings have been sitting in the trees waiting for next week.

Let's try and "KEEP IT REAL".

Please feel free to post anything and everything "Florida Blueberries" on this blog. It is for everyone to share info about our crop.