There’s more than one way to grow a blueberry
Rootstock strives for transparency—to help members understand where our food comes from and how it’s grown.
Rootstock offers certified organic blueberries grown using two distinct methods: traditional soil-based farming and a newer technique known as bioponics. Both are rooted in ecological care but grow—and look— different. While debate continues about whether container-grown berries can truly be considered organic, both methods represent meaningful approaches to sustainable food production in California. Here’s how they work.
Container vs. Soil-Grown
Fruits and vegetables can be grown in many ways—and the method matters. It affects yield, flavor, sustainability, and ecosystem health.
Most produce is still grown in the ground. Conventional systems often rely on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which can degrade soil and reduce biodiversity over time. Organic farms avoid synthetic inputs, but unless they follow regenerative practices, they may not actively rebuild soil health.
Regenerative organic farming goes further—using cover crops, compost, habitat creation, and natural pest control to improve biodiversity, sequester carbon, and strengthen soil fertility.
Container growing—including hydroponics and bioponics—takes a different approach. In hydroponics, plants grow in soilless media and are fed synthetic nutrients. Bioponics utilizes organic inputs, like compost teas or fish emulsion, in biologically active substrates. It’s a soil-inspired, ecologically minded version of hydroponics.
Blueberries grown under a hoophouse, in containers at Coastal Moon
The Case for Containers
At Coastal Moon, a Rootstock partner farm, blueberries are grown in containers using bioponics. This approach enables precise nutrient control, quick adjustments, and consistent yields. Because container plants are smaller and easier to manage, they often produce more fruit per square foot than field-grown bushes. Hoop houses extend the season by controlling temperature and humidity.
Bioponic systems may use more water upfront, but Coastal Moon offsets this with closed-loop irrigation that recycles water and minimizes waste.
Critics argue that organic farming should be rooted in living soil. Soil-based systems rely on complex microbial and mineral relationships that containers can’t fully replicate. Some small-scale soil farmers feel disadvantaged, having spent years building soil health while competing with faster, tech-driven container systems.
Coastal Moon understands this tension. Their mission is to grow the most flavorful, nutrient-dense berries they can—while learning from bioponics and eventually translating that knowledge to the field. “Working at Coastal Moon is the first time I’ve been able to work for flavor,” says grower Jonathan Zepeda—who previously worked at a larger grower. “We eat the berries. We know the customer will like them because we like them.”
Soil grown blueberry bushes at JSM Organics.
The Strength of Soil
JSM Organics, Rootstock’s other blueberry partner, grows berries in the ground. In soil-based systems, plant roots interact with a wide range of minerals and microbes—factors that shape flavor and resilience. Soil-grown berries often develop a more complex, earthy taste that reflects the landscape they grow in.
Unlike container systems, JSM’s fields aren’t typically covered by hoop houses. That means more sunlight and environmental variation, which may affect ripening and plant health.
Soil farming may take more time and space to reach similar yields, but it plays a vital role in ecological stewardship. Practices like mulching, crop rotation, and natural pest control contribute to long-term soil regeneration and biodiversity.
Rootstock’s Perspective
Rootstock supports certified organic farmers—whether they grow in containers or in the ground. Both approaches contribute to a stronger, more diverse California food system. Members can feel confident that all berries are grown with care, ecological intention, and a commitment to quality.
By connecting members to farms and growing practices, Rootstock empowers informed choices that support a more resilient food system.
References:
Advancing Eco Agriculture. “Growing Nutrient-Dense Blueberries to Create a Regenerative Superfruit.” YouTube, 18 Mar. 2024, www.youtube.com/watch?v=anAyfDCZdnY.
Horticulturae (2022). Hydroponic Cultivation of Blueberries: Challenges and Prospects. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8090829
Real Organic Project (2022). Why Hydroponics Should Not Be Called Organic. https://www.realorganicproject.org
