Variety: 'Duke'
Season: Early
Berry: Light blue, large berry size, mild flavor that improves in cold storage, small scar, open cluster, uniform ripening, high quality.
Bush: Moderately spreading, red wood, vigorous, high yields, machine harvest-able.
Recommended Market: | Fresh | IQF | Process | U-Pick |
Estimated Chilling Hours: 1,000+ per year
Season: Early
Berry: Light blue, large berry size, mild flavor that improves in cold storage, small scar, open cluster, uniform ripening, high quality.
Bush: Moderately spreading, red wood, vigorous, high yields, machine harvest-able.
Recommended Market: | Fresh | IQF | Process | U-Pick |
Estimated Chilling Hours: 1,000+ per year
Blueberries are extremely nutritious, as they are
naturally high in antioxidants and vitamin content. They have a
delicious, mildly tart flavor that makes them excellent in pies, jams,
and preserves. Best of all, bake your own Blueberry Muffins! Blueberries
are rapidly increasing in interest due to their reliability and health
benefits. The ‘Duke’ berry is very firm and retains its fresh quality
longer than most other varieties. It blooms late but ripens early,
protecting blossoms from late frosts. ‘Duke’ is a heavy, consistent
producer. It has upright growth but its branches will droop to the
ground when laden with fruit. Medium to large light blue berries.
Blueberries are considered a beautiful productive hedge with spring flowering on dark green foliage, delicious fruit in summer and fiery red foliage for autumn color. The ‘Duke’ variety is vigorous and has dense foliage. For best results, set plants out as early as possible in the spring. Prune branches back about 1/2 their length at planting time with no further pruning required the next 3 years. Prune annually thereafter during the dormant period.
Blueberries are considered a beautiful productive hedge with spring flowering on dark green foliage, delicious fruit in summer and fiery red foliage for autumn color. The ‘Duke’ variety is vigorous and has dense foliage. For best results, set plants out as early as possible in the spring. Prune branches back about 1/2 their length at planting time with no further pruning required the next 3 years. Prune annually thereafter during the dormant period.
Size
1 YR #1
Height
4-6'
Spacing
5-8'
Hardiness
Zones 5-7
Exposure
Full sun to partial shade
Foliage
Green
Fruit
Light blue berries
Harvest
Early Season in July
Botanical: Vaccinium corymbosum 'Duke'
Common: Blueberry 'Duke'
Family: Ericaceae
Cultivator Type: Highbush
General Characteristics: Blueberries are delicious, exceptionally nutritious and high in antioxidants. Typically yields 10 to 15 lbs. per plant. Fruit is medium to large size berry of excellent, firm quality. Ships well to fresh markets. Berries are borne on long stems and loose clusters, making for easy harvesting. Has adapted well throughout the United States and is very popular with growers. Two harvests about 7-10 day apart should complete the 'Duke' harvest. 'Duke' is the best cultivar that we have for early ripening high quality fruit.
Pests or Diseases: No serious insect or disease problems. You can protect fruit from birds with netting.
Planting Instructions: Prepare the ground well before planting. Blueberries prefers an acid soil. In alkaline soil, add ammonium sulfate for best results. Dig a hole large enough to encompass the roots without bending or circling. Set the plant in place so the crown (part of the plant where the root meets the stem) is about 1-2 inches below the soil surface. Add generous amounts of peat but no fertilizer when planting. Cover with soil to the original soil surface and water thoroughly. Blueberries can also be grown in large pots and containers if compost is used. Prune in winter, cutting out dead or damaged branches. In spring, feed with sulphate of ammonia, sulphate of potash, bonemeal and top-dress with compost.
Botanical: Vaccinium corymbosum 'Duke'
Common: Blueberry 'Duke'
Family: Ericaceae
Cultivator Type: Highbush
General Characteristics: Blueberries are delicious, exceptionally nutritious and high in antioxidants. Typically yields 10 to 15 lbs. per plant. Fruit is medium to large size berry of excellent, firm quality. Ships well to fresh markets. Berries are borne on long stems and loose clusters, making for easy harvesting. Has adapted well throughout the United States and is very popular with growers. Two harvests about 7-10 day apart should complete the 'Duke' harvest. 'Duke' is the best cultivar that we have for early ripening high quality fruit.
Pests or Diseases: No serious insect or disease problems. You can protect fruit from birds with netting.
Planting Instructions: Prepare the ground well before planting. Blueberries prefers an acid soil. In alkaline soil, add ammonium sulfate for best results. Dig a hole large enough to encompass the roots without bending or circling. Set the plant in place so the crown (part of the plant where the root meets the stem) is about 1-2 inches below the soil surface. Add generous amounts of peat but no fertilizer when planting. Cover with soil to the original soil surface and water thoroughly. Blueberries can also be grown in large pots and containers if compost is used. Prune in winter, cutting out dead or damaged branches. In spring, feed with sulphate of ammonia, sulphate of potash, bonemeal and top-dress with compost.