Chandler

Family: Ericaceae Fruit

Bursting with a sweet-tart, blueberry perfume, Chandler forms abundant clusters of large berries with a velvety bloom and a deep indigo-blue glow.

The fruit’s firm, juicy texture holds beautifully for fresh snacking and also shines in preserves, sauces, and pies—its bold flavor stands up to warming and simmering with ease. Grow Chandler for a garden-to-plate harvest that feels like a summer treasure, berry after berry, season after season.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 30 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	May 25th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	30
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Shrub
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Chandler’s firm, juicy berries keep their shape through heat, so you get intact, spoonable fruit instead of a bleeding purée. Its sweet-tart snap and deep berry aroma marry effortlessly with dairy fat and warm spices, especially when you want the flavor to stay forward in a bake or simmer.

Best Uses

fresh eating and cheese-board snacking (bloom-ready, stays juicy)
quick berry compote—simmer briefly to keep whole berries intact
thick pies and galettes—stands up to a hot bake without turning to purple soup
jam or preserve where its natural acidity helps set faster

Flavor Profile

sweet-tart blueberry tang velvety, juicy bite with a firm skin bright berry perfume with a clean finish

Kitchen Pairings

lemon vanilla whole milk yogurt Mascarpone dark chocolate Pancetta

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease problem for Vaccinium corymbosum (Chandler blueberry), and how do I manage it?

A major issue is botrytis/gray mold, which shows up as fuzzy gray growth on berries or flowers, especially after cool, wet weather. Remove and discard infected berries and blossoms immediately, then improve airflow by thinning dense growth and watering at the soil line (not the foliage). If it keeps recurring, use a labeled fungicide for blueberries and start applications at the first signs of gray mold or during rainy periods.

How often should I water Chandler blueberry during the main growing phase, and what soil moisture level should I keep?

During active growth and fruit set, keep the root zone evenly moist but never waterlogged—aim for lightly damp soil from top to root depth. In full sun, this typically means about 1–2 inches of water per week split into 2–3 sessions, depending on heat and rainfall. Because Vaccinium corymbosum prefers acidic, fast-draining soil, mulch helps maintain moisture while preventing the crown from staying soggy.

How can I tell when Chandler (Vaccinium corymbosum) blueberries are ready to harvest?

Harvest when berries turn fully blue and develop a true “bloom” (the dusty whitish coating) and the berries detach easily with a gentle pull. Chandler is typically ready in about 30 days, but don’t rely only on timing—pick a few berries and check that they taste sweet rather than tart. Berries don’t all ripen at once, so plan for multiple pickings every few days.