đ«Blueberries & Beyond at Castle Hayne
As part of our Field Trip Fridays program, about 20 Extension Master Gardeners traveled to the NC State Horticultural Crops Research Station in Castle Hayneâhome of the worldâs #1 public blueberry breeding program. Our guide, John Garner, shared insights into the stationâs work developing pest-resistant cultivars that thrive locally while producing high-quality fruit.
From breeding and pest research to processing and disease studies, the visit offered a wealth of information. And of course, we couldnât leave without enjoying a favorite tradition: picking fresh blueberries to take home. Now all thatâs left is to decideâblueberry pie, blueberry brandy, or both?
