{"product_id":"chippewa-blueberry","title":"Chippewa Blueberry","description":"\u003ch1\u003eSweet, Sky-Blue Berries on a Cold-Hardy Minnesota Half-High\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChippewa Blueberry (\u003cem\u003eVaccinium\u003c\/em\u003e 'Chippewa') is a University of Minnesota-bred half-high blueberry — a cross of highbush and wild lowbush types built specifically for our brutal winters. It produces large, sweet, sky-blue berries on a compact bush that survives where tender highbush varieties fail, with red fall foliage as a bonus. Give it acidic soil and a second variety nearby for the best crop. Whether you're starting a berry patch in Edina, filling a raised bed in Maple Grove, or adding a hardy edible shrub in Woodbury — Chippewa is a dependable producer for zone 4b–5a (and colder) gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eChippewa Blueberry Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mce-item-table\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eVaccinium\u003c\/em\u003e 'Chippewa' (half-high, U of MN)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeciduous fruiting shrub (half-high blueberry)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Height\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–4 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Width\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–4 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hours) for the best yields and sweetness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate to high — 1–2 inches per week; shallow roots need steady moisture\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAcidic, pH 4.5–5.2 — essential. Most Minnesota soils are too alkaline; amend heavily with peat and elemental sulfur.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePollination\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-fertile but yields far better with a second blueberry variety nearby\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMidseason — mid-summer; sweet, large berries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFall Color\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRed to burgundy foliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to zone 3 — one of the hardiest blueberries for Minnesota\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eChippewa Blueberry Uses in Minnesota Gardens\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold-climate berry patch\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts zone 3 hardiness makes Chippewa a safer bet than highbush types in open or northern-exposure yards in Plymouth. Plant with another half-high for cross-pollination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEdible landscaping and hedging\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe compact, tidy habit suits a low edible hedge or a mixed ornamental bed with spring flowers, summer fruit, and red fall color in Eden Prairie.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRaised beds and containers\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause blueberries demand acidic soil, a raised bed or large container with a peat-based acidic mix is often the easiest path to success in the Twin Cities. Chippewa's size suits a big pot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Chippewa Blueberry in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpring (late April–May) is the best window, giving the shrub a full season to establish. Early fall planting can work in a sheltered spot, but spring is safer. Never plant after mid-October.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Chippewa Blueberry\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTest and acidify the soil first — blueberries need pH 4.5–5.2. Mix in peat moss and apply elemental sulfur ahead of planting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep, and backfill with a 50\/50 blend of native soil and acidic peat\/compost.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlant a second variety within a few feet for cross-pollination.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSet the crown level with the soil and water in well.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMulch 3–4 inches with acidic mulch — pine bark, pine needles, or sawdust — kept off the stems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePinch the first-year blooms so the plant builds roots before fruiting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Chippewa Blueberry in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 1–2: Every 3–4 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 3–6: 1–2 inches per week; blueberries have shallow roots and dislike drying out\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep soil consistently moist, especially during fruit set and ripening. Use rainwater if your tap water is alkaline, since hard water gradually raises soil pH.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need a second blueberry?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChippewa fruits alone but yields much better with another variety nearby. Pair it with Northblue, St. Cloud, or another half-high for overlapping bloom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it really hardy enough for Minnesota?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — it was bred by the University of Minnesota for exactly this climate and is reliable to zone 3, well below Twin Cities winter lows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy are leaves yellowing between the veins?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat's iron chlorosis from soil that isn't acidic enough. Re-test the pH and add sulfur or an acidic blueberry fertilizer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNorthblue Blueberry — a compact MN half-high; a great pollination partner\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSt. Cloud Blueberry — early, sweet MN half-high\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNorthcountry Blueberry — very hardy, mild-sweet half-high\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#1 Gallon","offer_id":54312907407665,"sku":null,"price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/chippewa-blueberry.jpg?v=1779557841","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/chippewa-blueberry","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}