The latest news about Maine lakes and ponds.

Dropping Temperatures Boost Blueberry Crops

August 25, 2009 - ELLSWORTH -- The forecast of temperatures inching downward may be coming just in time for Maine's wild blueberry crop, which, like everything else, wilts in the heat, according to crop experts.

"The heat dries up the berries, reducing both size and weight, eventually reducing a berry to virtually nothing if this heat stayed for a long period," said Ragnar Kamp, general manager for Cherryfield Foods. "It actually happened in 2001."

Kamp said it is difficult to predict the size of this year's crop.

"All I know is that it is shrinking fast given the extreme weather," he said. "We are irrigating our crop to counteract the heat and the dry weather."

– The Ellsworth American.
August 23, 2009


Lakes:
Regions: Bangor, Calais, Downeast


Print this story

Email this story

return to Lake News