The Blueberry industry began in DeSoto Parish with a one acre planting of Tifblue, Climax, and Brightblue varieties on Mr. And Mrs. Jay Jones farm near Oxford, Louisiana in January 1980. From this first planting, the industry has developed into 12 families producing on 45 acres. The Rabbiteye blueberry is an important economic crop in the untapped markets of the Midsouth. The blueberry is relatively insect and disease free, little capital investment to start farming, desirable shipping characteristics, and the ability of the plant to bear heavily. A mature Rabbiteye blueberry grove will produce on the average 10,000 pounds of fruit per acre.
Blueberries usually begin bearing the second or third year after transplanting.
Yields usually increase up through the seventh to eighth year. Blueberry planting should be done anytime from early December through February. Plant setting should be 6 feet apart in rows 12 feet wide.