Frequently asked questions, at The Blueberry Patch.

General Questions

1) Can I have a catalog mailed to me?
2) Can I have wholesale literature mailed to me?
3) What payment methods to you accept?
4) Do you have a minimum order?
5) What is the cost of shipping?
6) What shipping service do you use?
7) Can I pick up at your location?
8) After an order has been placed, when will it be shipped?

Blueberry Plant Questions

1) What is the best way to order blueberry plants?
2) I am not ready for delivery yet, but I would like to order my plants now.
3) What is the best time to order?
4) What time of the year is best for planting?
5) Why are there different varieties?
6) What varieties to you have available?
7) What sizes are available?
8) When are blueberries harvested?
9) I am just a backyard grower, or I just want to try growing blueberries, can you help?
10) What if my plants arrive damaged?
11) How are your plants shipped? Bare root or in containers?
12) How long do plants take to ship?
13) How long before I will be able to harvest my new plants?

Blueberry Fruit Questions

1) How should you freeze blueberries?
2) Can you refreeze blueberries?
3) Do different varieties taste different?
4) What are the health benefits of blueberries?

General Questions

1) Can I have a catalog mailed to me?
At this time, we have no printed catalogs available. The complete list of plants available for sale is on our online catalog at www.theblueberrypatch.org/catalog.

2) Can I have wholesale literature mailed to me?
Absolutely, please call our office at (419) 884-1797, or email us at info@theblueberrypatch.org and leave us your contact information. We will send you our latest brochure detailing our wholesale plants available.

3) What payment methods to you accept?
Our online catalog accepts visa/mastercard. If you visit our giftshop in person, we can take cash, check, or most major credit cards.(VISA, MC, Discover)

4) Do you have a minimum order?
There is a minimum of $150 and a vendor’s license to be eligible for wholesale pricing. Retail orders are accepted at any level plus the cost of shipping.

5) What is the cost of shipping?
In order to provide you the fairest cost possible, or website pulls the latest shipping tables directly from UPS. Shipping will be calculated based on your location, and the total weight of the order.

6) What shipping service do you use?
Our website is set up to gather shipping information from UPS. Orders placed by phone can be shipped by UPS, DHL, or FedEx and charges will be applied.

7) Can I pick up at your location?
Yes, we offer free pick up for any order placed over the phone or online. Please leave us contact information so we can inform you when the order is ready. Blueberry plant orders may take several days, as we will have to pull the inventory from the nursery.

8) After an order has been placed, when will it be shipped?
Shipments are typically sent out on Mondays and Tuesdays, 5-10 days after the order was received.

Blueberry Plant Questions

1) What is the best way to order blueberry plants?
You can browse our complete catalog of plants available at www.theblueberrypatch.org/catalog. For wholesale orders of 150 plants or more, please contact us directly for pricing at info@theblueberrypatch.org.

2) I am not ready for delivery yet, but I would like to order my plants now.
You can order your plants on our website at anytime. As part of the order process there is a form which will let you choose when you would like them delivered.

3) What is the best time to order?
You should order your plants as soon as possible. Though we continue to grow, we sell out of our plants every year. Ordering early will help ensure you get your first choice of varieties.

4) What time of the year is best for planting?
Blueberry plants can be planted any time after the last hard spring frost, and before the first autumn frost. Home gardeners generally plant during the spring, while commercial growers are recommended to plant in early autumn.

5) Why are there different varieties?
Different varieties of blueberries have been selected and breed to maximize certain characteristics of each plant. Plants like “Patriot” have been developed to tolerate less than ideal soils, while “Elliot” simply produces high volumes of berries per year. Also different varieties ripen at different times. See the nursery page of our website for information on each variety, and ripening charts. At the blueberry patch we grow 27 varieties of northern highbush blueberries.

6) What varieties to you have available?
At this time we are propagating EarliBlue, Bluetta, Duke, Patriot, BlueJay, Sierra, BlueRay, BlueCrop, Berkeley, Jersey, and Elliot. Please visit the nursery section of our website for information on each variety.

7) What sizes are available?
Our online catalog sells Bare Root 8-12” plants, and 1-Gallon two year old plants 18-24”. Wholesale plants are available in 3-6” Rooted Cuttings, 8-12” Bare Root, 12”+ Bare Root, 1-Gallon two year old (18-24”), and 3-Gallon three year old (24-36”).

8) When are blueberries harvested?
Many factors are involved in the ripening schedule of blueberries. From the variety of the bush, seasonal weather, and the climate zone they are planted in. At our patch, here in Zone 5, harvesting typically starts with the “Bluetta” variety around the first of July, and ends with “Elliot” well into September. See our websites Nursery section for charts and more information.

9) I am just a backyard grower, or I just want to try growing blueberries, can you help?
Of course! We not only sell to vendors and growers, but countless home gardens are featuring blueberry plants that started life at our nursery. Visit our website and select the variety that’s best for you, or try starting with our Blueberry Patch Variety Pack which contains a few of our favorites, and we will includ growing tips along with your order.

10) What if my plants arrive damaged?
Be aware that your are purchasing living plants, and nursery stock is perishable. Once you receive your order you should immediately and carefully unpack the order. In the rare event that you have any problems, feel free to call us right away so we can process a refund if neccessary. After you have inspected the plants, they should be properly stored if they are not to be planted right away. If your package was damaged by the carrier, please report the damaged package and refuse delivery, then call and inform us of the issue so we may work with the carrier to get your order replaced.

11) How are your plants shipped? Bare root or in containers?
Containers and excess soil can drastically increase shipping charges, as such our plants are shipped in plastic bags with most of the excess soil removed.

12) How long do plants take to ship?
Typically our plants can be packed and shipped in 5-10 business days, unless you choose a later date at the time of your order.

13) How long before I will be able to harvest my new plants?
Plants one gallon or larger will be able harvest a handful of berries in the first year. Each year afterward, you will get more and more fruit until the bush reaches maturity. A mature bush can produce as much as 20 pounds of blueberries.

Blueberry Fruit Questions

1) How should you freeze blueberries?
Blueberries are very easy to freeze! Simply place loose unwashed berries in desired containers and freeze. Berries should be washed just prior to using. Remember, we carry delicious frozen blueberries in our giftshop year round.

2) Can you refreeze blueberries?
Blueberries that have been slightly thawed once or twice taste just as good, however they will change texture with each cycle. For best results only thaw out the amount you need to use.

3) Do different varieties taste different?
Different varieties of blueberries have been selected and breed to maximize certain characteristics of each plant. Plants like “Patriot” have been developed to tolerate less than ideal soils, while “Elliot” simply produces high volumes of berries per year. There are subtle differences in flavor, from sweet to tart, but it’s best to try them and see what you like the best. At the Blueberry Patch we grow 27 varieties of northern highbush blueberries.

4) What are the health benefits of blueberries?
As published by Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Blueberries are cited as one of the “10 Super Foods”.
Blueberries/Blackberries are packed with tannins, anthocyanidins, flavonoids, polyphenols, and proanthcyanidins that have been linked to prevention and reversal of age-related mental decline. They also have powerful anti-cancer effects. Use frozen organic berries in the winter when fresh ones are not available.

Blueberries are high in vitamins and antioxidants. In fact studies have shown that the blueberry is the leader in Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC). While rich with Vitamin C, manganese, and dietary fiber, the blueberry remains low in calories, sodium, and has no cholesterol. A great addition to any diet.