Duke

Family: Ericaceae Fruit

Bursting with a cool, sweet-tart perfume, Duke Blueberry delivers glossy berries in a deep twilight-blue that feel plump and juicy at first touch.

The fruit ripens with an even, garden-friendly rhythm, offering a firm, succulent texture that shines fresh and also stands beautifully in preserves and sauces. Grow Duke for a reliable, abundant harvest that turns summer into a living gallery of color and flavor.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 56 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 18th
Harvest Begins	Jun 13th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	56
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Shrub
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	68
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Duke’s sweet-tart snap and firm juiciness make it stay pretty even when warmed—great for compotes that spoon cleanly instead of turning watery. When you cook it down, the perfume tightens and the berry flavor concentrates, so it plays especially well with lemony acidity, vanilla, and chocolate.

Best Uses

fresh eating and spooning over yogurt without bleeding out
quick berry reduction for pan sauces and pancake/waffle compote
stir-in preserves where you want intact berries rather than jammy collapse
baking where the filling needs structure—tarts, hand pies, and crumble

Flavor Profile

cool sweet-tart berry brightness juicy, plump snap with a firm bite glossy, aromatic perfumed finish deep blueberry flavor that holds through heat

Kitchen Pairings

lemon honey plain Greek yogurt vanilla cinnamon dark chocolate

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Eruca vesicaria (arugula), and how can I manage it at home?

A frequent issue is flea beetles (small, shot-hole damage on leaves) which are common in warm weather. Cover seedlings with lightweight row cover immediately after sowing, and remove weeds that harbor brassica pests. If damage is severe, apply an insecticidal soap when plants are dry and avoid spraying in full afternoon sun to prevent leaf burn.

How often should I water arugula (Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa) during the main growing phase?

Keep the top few centimeters of soil evenly moist from germination through leaf growth so leaves stay tender and not bitter. In Full Sun gardens, that typically means watering when the soil surface starts to dry—often about 1–2 times per week, but adjust to avoid both wilting and soggy beds. Aim for steady moisture rather than soaking followed by drying, since fluctuations can trigger early bolting.

How do I tell when Duke arugula (Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa) is ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 40–56 days after sowing, or sooner for baby leaves, once plants have formed a rosette and leaves are about 4–6 inches long. Pick outer leaves first, leaving the center to regrow, and harvest in the morning for best texture. If you see flower stalks starting, leaves will turn more pungent and tougher—harvest immediately after you notice bolting begins.