New Jersey should move 55-60 million lb., while Michigan will weigh in with 75 million lbs. of fruit this year. This is an example of a pruned and shaped bush that will accommodate a mechanical harvester. The Ramages grow approximately 35 acres of rabbiteye blueberries and have 4 main cultivars. Summer pruning is initiated post harvest and is done through a combination of mechanized and hand labor. Row middles are mowed in order to reduce soil compaction and to allow field access during wet periods.
Soil erosion is kept in check as well.
Weed control is accomplished through a combination of post emergent herbicides and cultivation with a tractor mounted rotary hoe. Fertilization treatments are done throughout the growing season in order to maintain healthy growth up until late November when fruit buds differentiate. Drip irrigation is essential to maintain a healthy plant and the micro-sprinklers are used to distribute water uniformly over the shallow root system. The Ramages normally harvest each bush 4 times over a six week harvest season. Due to high labor costs, no fruit is harvested by hand.