Where Can I Buy Fresh Blueberries?

When it comes to blueberries, nothing beats freshly picked ones! They’re packed with summer sweetness with a firm skin that pops in your mouth.

And if it’s sweet blueberries that you’re after, you can’t go wrong with the ones we grow right here in Bacon County. At the Blueberry Barn, we sell fresh-from-the-farm berries that are grown locally in Alma, Georgia. 

We’re proud to be from a small town with such a long history of agriculture, and we’re sure that you’ll love the delicious taste of something grown right here in the USA. American-Grown. Georgia-Grown. 

For South Georgia, you can find fresh blueberries in the shop from late April to June. Or pick your own on our farm from late April to mid May – located in Bacon County. Contact me for more details. 

Blueberries can be refrigerated for up to 3 weeks but they’ll last for a whole year if you freeze them. That is… if you can keep from eating them all at once! 

Best Blueberry Varieties 

We’re obviously huge fans of blueberries here in South Georgia. Our acidic soil and climate make it perfect for growing blueberry bushes and berries so sweet that you keep coming back for more. 

But surely not all berries are created equal? My family and I have been taste-testing blueberries grown locally in Alma for over 40 years to see which ones are the sweetest. It’s a hard job… but we’re happy to do it! 

Here are 19 of our favorite varieties. You can buy many of these freshly picked at the Blueberry Barn. 

Highbush Varieties:

1. KeeCrisp
2. Farthing
3. Rebel
4. Star
5. Mrs. Jackie
6. Camilla
7. Optimus 

Rabbiteye Varieties:

1. Brightwell
2. Alapaha
3. Vernon
4. Prince

Other Varieties Grown in South Georgia: 

1. Ochlockonee
2. Titan
3. Krewer
4. Tifblue
5. Premier
6. Austin
7. Climax
8. Powerblue

How Do You Buy Fresh Blueberries?

When you buy fresh blueberries, choose ones that are firm, plump and smooth. The color is the main indicator of ripeness – not the size – so go for blueberries that are a rich, deep shade of blue-purple or black-blue. 

When you’re picking them yourself, you’ll notice a silvery powder on the surface of the berry. This is called the bloom and might rub off when they’re packed and in the store. It doesn’t mean the berry is damaged… just that it’s been handled. 

Don’t pick or buy red blueberries or even red-purple-blue ones. Unlike other fruits, blueberries won’t continue ripening once they’re picked. You can use these to cook with… especially if you’re adding sugar to the recipe. 

Generally, small berries are ideal for baking since they have less moisture in them (that’s why they’re smaller). Larger berries have more water inside and are best eaten directly from the bush by the handful. 

If you’ve found that you purchased a pint of tart blueberries, use them for cooking! 

Fresh blueberries are easy to keep. Just refrigerate them when you get home, either in their original packaging or in a covered bowl. When you’re ready to eat, give them a quick rinse and enjoy! 

If you can’t finish them in time, pop them in the freezer and enjoy them later. 

When Can I Get Fresh Georgia Blueberries?

Local, fresh blueberries are available between mid to late April through to July. 

You can get South Georgia blueberries from the Blueberry Barn in downtown Alma, Georgia, or pick them yourself at our farm’s U-Pick in mid to late April and early May. Contact me for U-Pick details and directions to the farm. 

And if you miss the season, don’t worry! We’ve got plenty of blueberry jams, jellies, syrups and sauces to keep you happy all year long. 

Why are Georgia Blueberries so Sweet? 

Georgia is the largest producer of blueberries in the United States – they’re Georgia’s Super Fruit. Did you know that Alma is the Blueberry Capital of Georgia? 

That’s because the sandy, acidic soil in South Georgia is perfect for growing blueberries. Our beautiful climate is ideal; a short winter gives the berries the chill they need, followed by a warm spring and even warmer summer temperatures give us those perfect Sweet Georgia Blues!

Georgia’s blueberry harvest starts each year in mid to late April and continues through July. Blueberries are primarily grown in the southernmost areas of the state.

What Makes Alma’s Blueberries so Special? 

The blueberries we grow in Bacon Country are the sweetest in the state. 

If you want to see for yourself why Alma earned that title, visit the Georgia Blueberry Festival this year. This annual celebration of all things blueberry is held in June in the heart of our small town. 

Despite the delicious sweetness of Georgia-grown blueberries, these little superfoods are also incredibly good for you! They contain powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins, which lower blood pressure. Research has shown that eating blueberries regularly can even reduce levels of LDL cholesterol, also known as bad cholesterol.

Whether fresh, frozen, juiced or dried, the blueberries we grow right here in South Georgia are the best.