Blueray

Family: Ericaceae Fruit

Bursting with a cool, blueberry-sweet perfume, Blueray delivers clusters of medium-to-large berries in a rich blue-violet that feels almost velvet to the eye.

Expect a juicy, tender bite with a balanced tang—ideal for fresh enjoyment and for turning into vibrant preserves and sauces that capture its signature color. With about 80 days to maturity, this is a rewarding choice for gardeners who want dependable harvests and a truly striking fruit display.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 80 DaysHabit: Shrub

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 14th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	80
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Shrub
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	5

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Blueray’s tender, juice-forward berries are tailor-made for fast reductions—cook them just until the skins loosen and the sauce turns lightly syrupy without going jammy and dry. The cool, tang-balanced sweetness makes it sing with vanilla and citrus, and it holds its color beautifully in preserves and spoonable sauces.

Best Uses

eat raw as a chilled snack—keep the texture intact
cook into thick preserves that stay glossy (reduce gently to avoid scorching the fruit sugars)
swirl into quick sauces for pancakes, yogurt, or vanilla ice cream

Flavor Profile

cool blueberry sweetness balanced tang juicy, tender berry bite

Kitchen Pairings

vanilla lemon plain Greek yogurt white chocolate oatmeal sparkling wine

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I manage Septoria leaf spot on Blueray (tomato) plants?

Septoria leaf spot shows up as small, dark spots on lower leaves that slowly turn tan with darker edges, often after warm, humid weather. Remove and discard infected lower leaves, improve airflow (space plants, thin if crowded), and water at the base so foliage stays dry. If new spots keep appearing, apply a copper-based fungicide and repeat according to the label until no new lesions form.

How often should I water Blueray during the main growing phase?

During the 60–80 day fruiting window, keep soil evenly moist by watering about 1–2 inches per week total, split into 2–3 sessions if it’s hot or windy. Check the top 1 inch of soil—water when it’s beginning to dry there, but don’t let it fully dry out or stay waterlogged. Mulch around plants to stabilize moisture and reduce blossom-end rot risk.

When is Blueray ready to harvest?

Blueray is ready around 80 days when fruits are fully colored (deep blue/purple), firm, and come off the plant with a gentle twist—no tugging needed. Harvest early in the day for best flavor and texture, and pick frequently once production starts to keep new fruit swelling.