Rutherford native teacher blueberry pruning

Volunteers from across Western North Carolina and the Raleigh area participated in the annual Blueberry Patch Work Day.

NCSU Blueberry Specialist/Horticulturist Bill Cline, a native of Rutherford County and son of Dr. V.O. and Jane Cline, taught a group of volunteers about the specifics of pruning blueberries at the home of Sylvia Hatchell in Fairview recently. Hatchell's blueberry patch work day drew dozens of volunteers from across western North Carolina including athletes from Montreat and Reynolds High School. Several family members also attended the annual workday.

Hatchell, the former UNC women's basketball coach, has contributed all proceeds from her blueberry patch to the UNC Lineberger Cancer Center for many years.

Cline led volunteers in mulching the plants before pruning the bushes in the afternoon.

Hatchell said 20 new bushes were planted this year and some were removed.

The blueberry patch is located at 143 Flat Creek Road in Fairview-Black Mountain. Blueberries should be harvested later in July.