Our garden is in southwestern Maine and we have a half dozen 30 year old blueberry bushes that have produced beautifully almost their whole lives (exceptions from weird spring weather). This year, though, the berries were sour. This was true for early and late varieties. Does anyone know what might cause this?

Also, I posted this here, because the Northeast is blueberry land. But also because I didn't see any other forum that looked appropriate. Did I miss one?

TIA
LAS

I will pass the question along to the appropriate person

LAS do you feed your blueberry bushes? They love ash from a fire pit/place and pine needles these help to give a good acidic soil. The only other thing I can think of that would make them sour is a lack of rain.

Silly question, but did you let them ripen well before picking?

Another answer could be that they 'over berried'. Too many berries can cause them to be sour.

And, if they are that old have you trimmed them to open them up to sunlight?

And of course, good advice as always from Pix.

you are teaching me new things.. thanks!

Yep, let them ripen. And yes, we've pruned them "open" over the years. Interesting thought about over-berrying. I'd never heard that before, but it might explain it. Can anything be done?

Onewish1, I'm not sure I understand when you say "I will pass this on to the appropriate person."

Pixie62560, lack of rain couldn't be the problem. Not this summer in western Maine when our stream ran ALL THE TIME (use to dry up in July/August). We mulch with pine needles. But my understanding is that wood ashes help to create a more alkaline soil. I use them on my delphinium and dianthus.

Thanks to all.

I didn't have the info for you.. and passed it along to Pixie

I would guess bad timing of moisture, couple with less than ideal temperatures (hot or cold) is the cause

When you see they are over berrying, you just need to do some thinning. Be tough.