Blueberry season shaping up to be early and bountiful, farmer says

Blueberry season is almost here, and the harvest may be earlier and bluer than last year.

After a wet crop last season, an Oak Bay blueberry farmer is expecting a significant yield.

"Last summer was a disaster with the rain, and then when it came time to harvestwe lost a good percentage of the crop," said Todd Tuddenham of Tuddenham Farms.

Usually, the season starts in early Augustbut this year, Tuddenham is expecting an end-of-July startbecause of the early spring.

"Everything is early, but there's been more benefits at this point in the season than there was last yearwith frost," he said. "The weather is exceptional, nice and warm, sunny days that the bees like, and we've had some rain at the right times."

Another blueberry farmer said it might be too early totell.

"Things are looking okay, and we are optimistic," said Tom Trueman, the owner of Trueman Blueberry farms in Sackville. "Any weather can change it in an instant. We'll know for sure in a few weeks."

Last season, there was too much rain at the wrong time, he said, and that "meant the pollination was less than ideal, and we had just a fair crop."

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Sunny days and an early, warm spring will bring blueberries to the table earlier than usual, one farmer says.

A warmer winter makes the best conditions for blueberries, according to David Percival, a professor and director of the Wild Blueberry Research Program at Dalhousie University.

"It is because of climate change, and we looked at historical weather patterns where our falls are significantly warmer," he said.

Blueberry seasonis "unusually early this year," he said. "I had my first blueberry of the year, and I don't remember it being this early before."

While conditions are ideal in New Brunswick for now, parts of the Caribbean are feeling the effects of Hurricane Beryl which may affectsome blueberry farmsheresuch as Tuddenham's,which brings in workersfrom Jamaica.

"We had guys that were scheduled to come last week to help, and they weren't able to fly because their airports are all closed.... I'm thinking that's not a good sign."

If thoseworkers don't make it in time, Tuddenham said it could have major consequences.

"I can't even begin to think about what would happen.... At the end of the day, the berries wouldn't get picked, and that would be the end of it."

Tuddenhamsaid he is hoping for a clear few weeks heading into the seasonbut he knows it's always a gamble.

"We are completely reliant on Mother Nature. You talk to a farmer, they'll tell you the exact same thing. There is no planning and nothing is for sure."